Respect Diverse Talent and Ways of Learning

Criterion Five - Respect Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning

OCCC is fortunate to have a variety of students that enroll in our institution.  Our students come seeking degrees and certificates in a variety of areas and specialties.  Some of our students choose to attend OCCC to acquire an additional credential. We have students with advanced degrees that need to obtain a degree in another field so they come to OCCC to get the additional courses needed to begin their journey.  As we recognize the differences in learning and strength, it's important to remember that students may not excel in one particular subject but they lead the class in another subject.  As instructors, it's important to know your students' backgrounds, interests, talents, and preferred modes of learning.  The more an instructor is aware of those differences, the more effective he/she can be as they teach to each student.

Observers will be looking to find evidence related to:

• Concepts being presented in multiple ways
• Allows students the opportunity to add to the conversation with application to their area of study or life experience
• Choices are given in activities and assignments are aligned to the objectives for the unit

Identified Resources

"Teaching Today’s College Students:  Widening the Circle of Success".  (Angela Provitera McGlynn) is available in the Center for Learning and Teaching.

• Exploring How Students Learn:  Motivating College Student Learning
• Diversity and Inclusion in the College Classroom 
• Reading to Learn
• Mindset and Stereotype Threat:  Small Interventions that Make a Big Difference