Methods
4 total methods were used throughout the lesson:
- Small group activities
- Lecture (mini)
- Class discussion
- Survey
- Small Group Activities
I used small group activities like ice-breakers and problem-solving scenarios to give students a chance to form connections with their peers. I wanted students to get a first-hand experience of how diversity exists among their peers, how they contribute to diversity, and how it benefits a group to have multiple perspectives included.
In the first activity, students were separated into groups of three. Students were provided with paper and instructed to draw a chart, labeling the two sides with the words "shared" and "different." In their groups, their task was to ask questions to determine which qualities or traits that are shared among all members of the group and what qualities are unique to individual members. Example topics were provided on the screen. Students recorded the qualities in each column accordingly.
In the second activity, students were separated into pairs. The scenario "Trip to Mars" was explained to the entire class, and then each pair was assigned a character. Their task was to formulate an argument as to why their character should go to Mars. They were instructed to think outside of stereotypes and be as creative/unique as they wish. After about 10 minutes, all groups presented their ideas to the entire class.
2. Lectures (mini)
I used two 5-minute lectures in the lesson in order to provide the necessary background information about diversity and its benefits. Although I originally planned to take an entirely activity-centered approach, I realized that students would need context provided before each activity in order to make it purposeful. I decided that mini-lectures were the most effective and time-efficient way to provide this content.
The first lecture included an explanation of what diversity is made up of. It was necessary for students to understand this concept to see what the "Shared and Different" activity would be exploring next.
The second lecture explained how diversity is beneficial in problem-solving scenarios. It referenced a specific study from Tufts University to evidence its benefits (Tufts University).
3. Class Discussion
I chose class discussion as the format for the debriefings that followed the activities. I chose this method because it would allow the entire class to come together and share the different pieces of knowledge that they had collected from each small group activity. Additionally, these discussions served as a transition between group activity and lecture components by incorporating both teacher and student participation. For each debriefing, I prepared a few questions pertaining to the activity that was just completed. I posed the questions to the class one at a time and called on individual students to share their thoughts.
"Shared and Different" Discussion Questions
Why might similarities within a group be important?
Why might differences be important?
"Trip to Mars" Discussion Questions
Did your partner give a different perspective on the character and why they should go?
Did your classmates bring up some ideas that you didn’t even think about?
4. Survey
I prepared a two-question survey using metimeter.com that served as a pre-assessment and post-assessment of the learning outcomes that I wished to accomplish through this lesson. The difference between the results of the two assessments would help me determine if the lesson was effective. The surveys also helped students reflect on their level of connectedness with their COR peers and think about how they could contribute to the diversity of the group. Both surveys asked the same two questions:
On a scale of 1-10, how acquainted do you feel with your peers in this class?
Do you feel like you contribute to the diversity within your peer group?
All of these methods combined to form a varied and cohesive lesson with the following sequence:
- Pre-lesson Survey
- Different Perspectives Lecture
- Shared and Different Activity
- Shared and Different Debrief Discussion
- Benefits of Diversity Lecture
- Trip to Mars Activity
- Trip to Mars Debrief Discussion
- Post-lesson Survey