The teacher and student diversity: problems, challenges and opportunities

This paper explores the issues of student diversity as it relates to the difficulties and challenges it poses to the design and delivery of instruction. It also looks at the educational movements which advocate the benefits of diversity in both a broad social sense, and specifically in reference to its impact on the education system and teachers in particular. Throughout the discussion 'student diversity' is used to refer to both the behavioural and psychological characteristics which contribute to individual uniqueness, and to the myriad of social and cultural differences which exist in the community at large and which are also reflected in the school population. It concludes with a discussion of the impediments which exist to inhibit the capacity of teachers to respond appropriately and effectively to student diversity and diverse student needs