How to Use Diversity in a College Classroom

Most college classrooms are a conglomerate of diverse ethnicities, religions, musical tastes, lifestyles, fashion preferences and more, and as such, many college students begin the semester making assumptions about their teachers and classmates. This lesson plan on diversity uses the natural opportunity to trigger class discussions on the importance of understanding and accepting the diversity of our society and our world.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Write a list of categories in which students can choose labels for themselves. Some examples are: Religion, Politics, Relationship Status, Ethnicity, Travel Experience, etc.

2. Ask students to write down a label to identify themselves within each category such as: Muslim, Christian or Agnostic for the Religion category; never left my hometown, traveled some for vacations or lived everywhere military kid for Travel Experience.

3. Create a matrix on the board to show what students have in common. List their names down the side column and the labels they provide across the top, then mark the spots that intersect as your students reveal their self-assigned labels.

4. Lead a discussion on the differences and similarities among the class members. Encourage students to speak openly and listen respectfully.

5. Assign the students a response paper in which they discuss something they learned about themselves and about their classmates during this process.

Tips & Warnings

• Some students may balk at having to reveal somewhat personal information. Try to develop a comfortable classroom setting where they will feel less threatened.
• Inform the class that they must behave maturely and respectfully during all class discussions and that you will not tolerate any student who exhibits prejudice against a classmate. Be prepared to stick to this statement.
• It is possible (though it's never happened to me in the three years I've taught a diversity segment) that you could have a student react negatively to something revealed by a classmate. Consider this beforehand so you know what you need to do (such as asking the disrespectful student to leave, contacting school security, etc.).