Why is it important to consider Diversity in the Educational Process?

Our team strives to improve the educational process with each course, so that graduates can gain useful experience and skills that they can apply in their work. The course program consists of research on the topics of cross-cultural communication, self-identification and many other issues related to the work of teachers in modern conditions. We aim to educate empathetic and open-minded students in order to  influence positively both the students themselves and society as a whole.
 
The new edition of the course «Diversity in the classroom: teaching tolerance and overcoming prejudices and discrimination» took place in Bologna from 26/08/2024 to 30/08/2024. Participants from various European countries were joined by José Luis Albiac Balaguer from INS Navarcles, Spain, Erika Moravcová, Barbora Bednáriková, Martina Zigová from Základná škola, Slovakia, Ecaterina Nedelcu and Ivascu Claudia from Liceul Teoretic Henri Coandă, Romania.

In the course, we examined the term diversity in detail to better understand how it affects our teaching approach and learning process. Participants had the opportunity to share and familiarize themselves with the experience of diverse and multicultural classrooms, so we paid enough attention to the study of the peculiarities of cultural diversity and considered the key problems of working in such an environment.

Also, during the course, we considered practical and visual exercises to study the concept of one’s own identity. One of the tasks was to draw a portrait, where one half reflects a person’s appearance, and the other his inner world, passions and goals. The participants were able to see themselves how important a stage for students is the awareness of their own values, needs and the correct setting of priorities, so we studied this topic in depth.
 
When considering the topic of cultural diversity, it is impossible not to mention the role of stereotypes in our lives.  We discussed the reasons for their occurrence, existence and impact, as it has both positive and negative consequences. To understand how to prevent the emergence of discriminatory stereotypes, we implemented the storytelling technique.

We will also consider in detail the importance of empathy in the work of teachers. Thanks to interesting tasks, teachers had the opportunity to feel the emotions and feelings of others.

The last day of the course was devoted to the important issue of membership and the ability to work in a team. In order to achieve a common goal, it is important for teachers to unite among themselves and be able to group students.
 
This week was productive and full of pleasant emotions.  In the end, the teachers made many conclusions about new teaching approaches.

Discover more about this course here.