ARTICLE # 1 | 9
ARTICLE | # 1
Title Issues of Student Diversity and the Role of Technological Tools for Learning in Higher Education
Author( s)
Helen Millward
Contact h. a. millward @ keele. ac. uk
School
Keele Management School
Faculty
Faculty of Humanities and Socal Sciences
Abstract
This paper provides definitions of student diversity within the context of the University classroom. While noting that our student populations in such classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse, the connotations of the role played by technological tools for learning and engagement are explored. The paper includes a discussion of a critical incident occurring within the author’ s own teaching practices, alongside examination of the social and medical models of disability in relation to technology. In addition the paper includes discussion of the necessity of an increasingly inclusive curriculum design in encouraging high levels of engagement and learning amongst a diverse student population. Recommendations are giving for additional signposting and access for students to technological tools for translation.
Keywords
Diversity, Global classroom, Translation tools, Critical incident
Introduction
‘ The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual’( http:// gladstone. uoregon. edu /~ asuomca / diversityinit / definition. html accessed 11 / 12 / 15).
University classrooms are becoming increasingly diverse with the HEA( Higher Education Academy) suggesting‘ A diverse student body is one which includes individuals of different nationalities, race, creed, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age and socio-economic groupings.’( https:// www. heacademy. ac. uk / enhancement / definitions / diverse-studentbodies accessed 15 / 02 / 16). As such, a‘ 10 %’ rise of non EU student enrolment in UK Universities over a five year period( http:// www. universitiesuk. ac. uk / highereducation / Documents / 2014 / InternationalStudentsInHigherEducation. pdf accessed 23 / 10 / 15), alongside international student numbers as high as‘ 63’% in some UK institutions( http:// www. thecompleteuniversityguide. co. uk / international / internationalstudents-the-facts / by-university / accessed 23 / 10 / 15), can be seen as demonstrating an increasing level of diversity in University classrooms.
This paper aims to discuss the connection between diversity within University classrooms and the role technology plays in improving student engagement and learning through the example of a critical incident occurring within the author’ s own teaching practices. The impacts of the use of technological tools for learning are discussed in relation to the social and medical models of disability, followed by an exploration of the need for a continually improving inclusive curriculum design in relation to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. The paper culminates with the recommendation of additional access for students to technological tools to aid in learning; specifically translation tools such as Todaysmeet( https:// todaysmeet. com accessed 12 / 05 / 16).