Diversity at college of basic education, Salahaddin University-Erbil : lecturers’ awareness and attitude

Abstract EN

This research studies lecturers’ awareness and attitude in teaching-with-diversity at College of Basic Education, Salahaddin University.

The main idea of this study is to make an investigation into the lecturers’ background of diversity education, the way they approach diverse classes and the extent of correspondence of lecturers’ treatment to the diversity education principles.

The research data were collected through a questionnaire of seven categories, each of which addresses a different area of dealing with diversity, namely general strategies; communicating and fostering respect; pedagogical approaches; course content and material; class discussion; assignments and exams; advising, monitoring, and out-of-class activities.

The study analyzes and reports the results elicited from the lecturers to arrive at the extent of matches or mismatches between their pedagogy and the popular opinions and knowledge regarding teaching diverse classes.

All in all, certain differences are noticed between the lecturers’ teaching practices and the commonly accepted beliefs and guidelines for teaching-with-diversity.

The study has come up with the conclusion that if the teaching practices at College of Basic Education are to be more effective and tolerant, the lecturers need to consider the adaptations in the course materials and the enrichment of their pedagogical approaches with diversity-friendly ideas and strategies.