Today’s class has been rather interesting. First because we were video recorded by the University and second because of the contents and way the class has been carried out.
At the beginning of the class we have done a summary of what Attention to diversity means and why is it important for our future as teachers. In my opinion, attention to diversity involves applying all possible measures in order to help needed students to be included in the Educational System. The Law states that everyone has the right and the obligation to study, despite their race, intellectual or personal situation. Therefore someone must assure that it is in such way. So it should allow everyone to have the same opportunities (although not same necessities) in learning by making their disequillibrated situation more balanced. This is very important for us because we are going to be teachers, our classes will be formed out of diversity that should be focused from three perspectives: families, teachers and counsellors. So it is our job to learn how to deal with such diversity.
At this point we were asked if we think that the way we have worked on the topics allowed us to learn properly. Most of us agreed that it was fun and successful as for acquiring knowledge. I do not agree on one point said in class, that we did not have to work at home… well I did! Most of the work was organized in class time but the actual work was done, at least in my case, at home.
The second part of the class was a debate about collaborative learning. I have to mention three main things about this matter. First, I have to state the difficulty that I found in trying to defend something that I do not believe in. Secondly, I’d like to point out the great difference that I find between ‘work in groups’ and ‘collaborative learning’. In this subject we’ve had the chance to try both and, in my opinion despite being much easier to carry out the first one, it was much more effective, in learning terms, the second one. Finally, I found that the general sentiment regarding collaborative learning is rather disappointing. If I understood it properly the idea is that if marks are not involved is easier to help others, otherwise no collaboration will be provided… My opinion as student, mother and ex-worker is that collaboration is always enriching, not only in the academic context, but as a way of living. Another thing that I belief in is helping others not waiting to receive the same (although that would be the perfect formula), otherwise you may get frustrated and diminish your personal quality. After all one thing that we will have to teach at schools is how to become better persons (at least I will try).
