Write a short reflection on how and what you have learnt about the concept of diversity in the Singapore classroom. Consider also the learning you have taken away from watching the ADHD video.
“We exclude because we don’t understand…
We don’t understand because of limited contact…
We lack contact because we exclude.”
To me, this quote explains much of the concept about diversity; be it in the classroom or society at large, people often leave out or reject others due to a lack of understanding which in turn arise from limited interaction to get to know the other persons and the very reason why people tend to refrain from mingling with strangers is because we exclude them. Familiarity is something that is comforting; taking the risk to move one step towards unfamiliar people or terrains requires a certain amount of courage.
Session 2 has triggered me to think deeper about diversity in the Singapore classroom. What is diversity? In what ways are students different from one another?
Some possible differences could be regarding their cognitive ability, kinaesthetic talents, cultural background, race, religion, personality, nationality, economic status, physical appearance and sexual orientation.
In the past, we often see people with similar qualities congregating together while keeping a distance from those who are different from their group. However, I feel that in today society, it is essential for us to embrace diversity as diversity is the one thing we all have in common. All of us are unique in our own ways, and that is why I really hate to label people as “retarded” or “autistic” because such developmental disabilities do not define who the person is. I feel that they simply have a condition, just like when I have flu, I would not want others to label me as the influenza-carrier because I have a name, I am a daughter, I have roles, feelings, achievements. The condition should not be used to encompass the person as a whole. Having the diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder have its own advantages such as allowing communication between experts to facilitate intervention or even to raise awareness for the people interacting with that individual of certain behavioural patterns to be expected and thus, tolerance is required.
As teachers, I believe that we should value diversity and model this positive attitude to pupils. We need to recognize and respect that no two people, not even identical twins are completely the same. We all are different and unique.
One suggestion would be to remind the class how boring life would be if the people sitting next to them are mere mirror reflection of themselves. Another activity could be to get them to list down their own strengths and weaknesses so as to create awareness that they themselves are imperfect.
Another take-home message from Session 2 would be the discussion on how to tell the class about why a certain pupil is different from them or require additional assistance/attention. It was discussed that we should avoid saying that the individual is special because it may be interpreted as the others are less special or that the teacher is practising favouritism. I believe that the point to make is that EVERYONE is special in his/her own ways.
Question: However, I am rather confused on how to break the news that the particular child requires special assistance due to his condition without hurting his self-esteem. If we tell the class (e.g., John has a lot of energy running in his blood and so he needs to move about more than most of us), would this heighten the differences as perceived by the class?
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