Thinking about Diversity Why is it valuable to
Thinking about Diversity
Why is it valuable to think about diversity? • You’re likely to learn and work with people from many cultures. • Sharing in success means learning new ways to think, speak, and act. • Higher education can help reinforce an attitude of tolerance, openmindedness, and respect for individual differences Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 2
How can thinking help us embrace diversity? • Attitudes of open-mindedness and respect for individual differences helps us in synergistic relationships. • Ask questions, demand evidence, examine logic, and insist on accurate information to release stereotypes. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 3
What does it mean to embrace diversity? • People can differ in countless ways. Higher education can help reinforce an attitude of tolerance, open-mindedness, and respect for individual differences. – Create alliances with people where diverse races and cultures meet in an atmosphere of tolerance. Consider joining a club or volunteering in your local community. – Seek value in working with people who are different than you. While cultural differences exist, listen to different viewpoints and become aware of your surroundings. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 4
What if there are differences that are challenging to overcome? • Apply critical thinking strategies to embrace diversity Daily reviews: short, several times per day – Create new ideas by conducting brainstorms. – Talk to classmates. – Form study groups. – Uncover assumptions Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 5
Thinking and diversity in the workplace • Living and working in a multicultural world can change your life. – Look for ways to create synergistic relationships. – Spend time with people who speak and live consistently with the attitudes you value. – Demand evidence, examine logic and insist on accurate information to release stereotypes. – Use critical thinking and communication tools to discuss differences when working with people whose ideas are different than your own. – Exercise leadership and look for ways to accommodate differences in learning styles. Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 6
Be a Master Student • Master students: – Are able to suspend judgment (Quiet internal dialogue and listen to an opposing viewpoint) – Are willing to participate (Join in conversations) – Are inquisitive (Pose questions to learn more about the community you live and work in) Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 7
Ways to Predict Test Questions • Get organized – Have a separate section in your notebook labeled “test questions” • Ask your instructor to describe the test • Ask yourself: What questions would I ask? Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 8
Ways to Predict Test Questions • Watch for clues from instructor during class – Repeating certain points – Writing information on board – Gestures – Questions posed to students – Extensively covering some material from readings Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 9
Ways to Predict Test Questions • Save all quizzes, papers, lab sheets, and graded material • Practice working problems using different variables • Brainstorm test questions with other students Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 10
Ways to Predict Test Questions Look out for: This material will be on the test! Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 11
Studying with Others • • Test each other Teach other Compare notes Brainstorm test questions • Set an agenda • Three at a computer • Create wall-sized mind maps • Give “book reports” in pairs • Lecture each other • Ask for personal support Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 12
What to Do During the Test • As you begin – Arrive early – Do a relaxation exercise – Pay attention to verbal directions Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 13
What to Do During the Test • As you begin – Scan the whole test – Evaluate the importance of each section – Read the directions slowly, twice – In margins, jot down memory aids, formulas, equations, facts Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 14
What to Do During the Test • Answer easiest, shortest questions first • Then answer multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank • Use memory techniques • Pace yourself • Look for answers in other test questions Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 15
Multiple-Choice Questions • Check directions to see if more than one answer is called for • Answer questions in your head before looking at answer choices • Read all answers to each question before selecting one Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 16
Multiple-Choice Questions • Your first instinct is usually best • Use guessing techniques when appropriate Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 17
True/False Questions • Answer quickly • Read carefully • Look for qualifiers – All – Most – Sometimes – Never – Rarely Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 18
True/False Questions • Absolute qualifiers often indicate false statements – Always – Never Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 19
Computer-Graded Tests • Make sure the answers you mark correspond to the right questions • Check the test booklet against the answer sheet • Do not make stray marks on the answer sheet Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 20
Open-Book Tests • Write formulas you need on separate sheet • Place Post-It® notes or paper clips on important pages • Number your class notes and write a short table of contents • Prepare thoroughly Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 21
Short Answer/ Fill-in-the-Blank Questions • These often ask for definitions or short descriptions • Concentrate on key words and facts • Be brief Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 22
Matching Tests • Read through each column • Make note of differences between similarly worded items • Match words that are similarly grammatically • Look for the word that logically completes a phrase Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 23
Essay Questions • Find out precisely what the question is asking • Make a quick outline • Get right to the point • Put the most solid supporting points first Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 24
Essay Style • • Write legibly Use a pen Be brief Use one side of the paper only Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 25
Words to Watch for in Essay Questions • • Analyze Compare Contrast Criticize Define Describe Discuss • • • Explain Prove Relate State Summarize Trace Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 26
The Costs of Cheating • We learn less • We lose money • Fear of getting caught promotes stress • Violating our values promotes stress • Cheating once makes it easier to compromise our integrity • Cheating lowers our self-concept Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 27
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