Diversity in the School Media Center must be more than just stocking our shelves with books about differing races, religions, cultures, values, etc. Diversity in the Media Center is about being responsive to the diverse needs of its patrons. It is about encouraging learning outside one’s comfort zone and providing opportunities for that learning to occur. Diversity in the School Media Center means meeting the needs of students with differing cognitive levels, learning styles, interests, and attitudes toward learning. Understanding and responding to our students in these areas is the key to making a true difference. It is exciting to know that we can now respond with more than just print. Technology has opened up a vast new cosmos in learning and teaching.
A diverse media center can open a whole new world to those who may have grown up in their own little “bubble.” It can also provide a galaxy of knowledge and ideas to those who have grown up with little exposure to print and information. Having a diverse media center full of technology and all kinds of educational tools makes learning fun and exciting for anyone, from any age, ability level, learning style or any walk of life. Whether it be a child who is interested in learning all about the funny looking insect she saw in her front yard or one who wants to read creative stories similar to the ones he makes up in his head, a media center that is diverse, can and should be the hub for this exciting world of learning.
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You are exactly right that diversity has to be more than books about race, religion, culture, and values. Teachers and media specialist must recognize the individual differences of their students in order to have a diverse classroom/media center. Teachers should use textbooks, design bulletin boards, and implement classroom activities that are culturally supportive of their students. Media specialist/teachers should provide many opportunities for students to see our diverse culture/world.
ReplyDeleteDiversity in the School Media Center means meeting the needs of students with differing cognitive levels, learning styles, interests, and attitudes toward learning. YOU ARE SO RIGHT!! The media specialist before me didn't believe in this concept. We have some PES students that are reading on 3rd grade reading levels. I have bought books that they are interested in reading. These students have been so appreciative. We also have students that are learning sign language. I bought books that help with basic sign language skills. The media center is for the WHOLE school, not just the average or above readers. Yes, I have had to purchase books that I felt were depressing or dark. I don't always agree with what my students are reading but I respect them and will continue to buy books that will encourage them to broaden their horizons!
ReplyDeleteYou opened my eyes when you said, "Diversity in the School Media Center means meeting the needs of students with differing cognitive levels, learning styles, interests, and attitudes toward learning." I guess somehow I got stuck thinking that diversity meant ethnicity, age, and gender. Thanks for reminding me of how many different categories that we often put people into! It appears that the term diversity means giving attention and credence to people and their categories. I guess we could add in the "groups" or "caste system" as another of our colleagues put it: jocks, goths, preps, you know the ones.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, I wish we could just see kids and not the categories that they fall into, but if we do that, we miss WHO these entities are.