Explicating Diversity: the 60seconds method

Students within a classroom differ from each other. Despite potential differences it is imparative that teachers hold high expectations for all students. To become aware of student characteristics that (might) impact these expectations this resource exist of an exercise in which (student)teachers explicate their perceptions of all students in one class. To explicate their perceptions, they have one minute per student. Another student writes down what is being said. After they both explicate the perceptions they have they analyse their own perceptions and reflect on their perceptions. The resource is aimed at becoming aware about the student characteristics (student)teachers foreground (and background) and how these perceptions affect their teaching behavior. The method, guiding questions and part of the analyses are based on the study of  Jager, L., Denessen, E., Cillessen, A.H.N. et al. Sixty seconds about each student–studying qualitative and quantitative differences in teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of their students. Soc Psychol Educ 24, 1–35 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-020-09603-w

This method has been used both in the context of primary education and secondary education. It has been used in initital teacher education as well as professional development activities that focus on more experienced teachers and teacher educators. The method is included in the knowledgebank of the Dutch Educational Research Organisation (NRO) https://www.onderwijskennis.nl/kennisbank/leidraad-onderwijs-vanuit-hoge-verwachtingen) and suggested as a way to address issues pertaining potential (low) expectations of (student)teachers regarding their pupils.

Access to the resource: here

Author/contact: Lieke.jager@ru.nl

Affiliation: Radboud University