Diversity through 21st-century teaching and learning

Select three of the four prompts below, and then discuss how the Framework for 21st Century
Learning (Links to an external site.) can be applied to each prompt using specific examples of
the actions you would take to apply the framework.
Analyze how you can maintain high standards and demonstrate high expectations for all
ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse students in the classroom.
By encouraging initiative and self-direction, can maintain high standards for all students.
For instance, students have varying levels of cognitive abilities. By requiring all students to
perform a task, such as complete a quiz using their technological tools, then I will be setting high
standards where students do not feel that they are exempted from certain tasks because they are
too difficult for them. As an educator, I will require students to show initiative, try and attempt
tasks. Even if they are difficult, they will know areas where they are struggling and seek help.
Such students will also be self-directed in that they take charge of the learning processes, attempt
tasks, and then ask questions and request assistance where they feel they need it. For instance, an
English language learner will use bilingual aides and learn concepts being learned by other
students. As an educator, I will not teach them easier concepts because they are learning a new
language. On the contrary, I will help them and make use of assistive technologies to improve
their language skills and work towards becoming better English speakers. I know that in 21 st –
century classrooms, most students do not have the luxury of receiving instruction in their native
languages. Classrooms are ethnically, linguistically as well as culturally diverse. As an educator,
I will work towards enhancing multi-cultural awareness so that I can create a multi-cultural

learning environment where students can give examples that relate to or are aligned to their
cultural experiences. Also, as I deliver instruction, I will work towards giving different examples
that students from different backgrounds can relate to. The aim is to make the learning process as
diverse as possible and also accommodate learners with diverse backgrounds.
Discuss how you would differentiate instruction for the inclusion of various learning styles.
21 st -century learning requires an innovative support system through which an educator is able
to engage students through knowledge and skills that are applicable, appropriate technologies,
and connections in the real world that make learning engaging, personalized, and relevant
(Framework for 21st Century Learning). Personalized learning is achieved through
differentiation, and this ensures that an educator puts in place critical support systems that ensure
students receive all kinds of learning experiences that help each one of them build 21st-century
competency. Through differentiated instruction, I will ensure that I nurture the potential of each
child and meet the needs of each learner. For instance, I will use a wide range of strategies such
as direct instruction, projects, presentations, discussions to ensure that learners interact with the
instructional content in different ways. Also, I will create inclusive classroom environments for
all learners. Students with disabilities such as reading disabilities will be accommodated through
the incorporation of assistive technologies in the classroom to foster their learning experiences.
 Reflect on ways in which you would modify instruction for students in your area of
specialization. 
According to Framework for 21st Century Learning, students in the modern classroom
need to develop content knowledge, thinking skills, and social and emotional competencies that
will prepare them to navigate the complex environments in their workspaces as well as in life in

general. To ensure that I achieve this with my students, I will need to take note of the life and
career skills that are necessary for enhancing 21 st -century competencies. The ones that I will
focus on include flexibility and adaptability as well as initiative and self-direction. One of the
ways through which I will modify instruction is by providing information that beginning level
English learner can understand. In my inclusive classroom, I will encounter Els, who, just like
other learners, deserve to receive comprehensible input from the educator. I will incorporate
bilingual aides to help them translate the vocabulary and key concepts. Through the use of
gestures, slow speech, and body language, I will be able to put across key points and helps
English learners understand the content being learned in the classroom. I will also make some
portions of the lesson visual. Using visual representations of concepts and new vocabulary will
help create a more accommodating classroom environment. Besides, visual lessons will also help
auditory learners hone their visual skills, which are also important to them regardless of the fact
that they are not necessarily visual learners. By so doing, I will be helping learners adapt to new
ways of receiving and interacting with instructional content. Since students are learning subject
content and still trying to master the language of instruction, I will provide the necessary support
to enhance their experience and help them master both the language as well as the content.

References
Framework for 21st Century Learning (Links to an external site.). (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.p21.org/our-work/p21-framework