Teacher candidates understand that diversity differences (race, gender, ethnicity, culture, exceptionalities, individual differences, etc.) affect learning and know how to provide educational opportunities that meet the needs of all the students.
Artifact #1- Contextual Factors
I created this contextual factors sheet for my science methods class at Dixie State College during Spring 2010 semester. The contextual factors are based on the practicum class I attended during that semester. This artifact provides evidence that I understand diversity differences affect learning because it demonstrates my knowledge in being able to obtain such information to improve my teaching, and so that I know how to differentiate my lessons for individual students. I used this contextual factor sheet every time I created a lesson for this class to be sure that all of the students were able to learn the most that they could. Therefore, I believe this is a strong artifact that demonstrates my knowledge that diversity differences affect learning.
Artifact #2- Gifted and Talented Characteristics File
In Fall of 2009 I created a gifted and talented characteristics file. The File includes ten characteristics that will help me to identify the gifted and talented students in my classroom. Each characteristic includes an intervention to help the students use their unique traits to their advantage. This file also includes my mission statement concerning the gifted and talented students. This artifact shows that I understand that diversity goes beyond race or ethnicity and that it includes the exceptionalities found in individual students.
