Addressing the Needs of Diverse Populations

(Grades K-5) / Semester Course

PDI Course Number: 119BXX / UCSD Course Number: EDUC40361

Course Description

As your classroom becomes increasingly diverse, are you finding it more difficult to meet student needs at their individual levels? It doesn’t matter if you are new to the teaching profession or a seasoned veteran, trying to determine and support the diverse needs of your students can be overwhelming. The good news is that it does not have to be, as it is possible to address a multitude of learning needs using some of the strategies outlined in this course. This online course is designed for K-5 teachers who are looking to expand their current toolbox of strategies to address the diverse learning needs of students with ADHD, anxiety, linguistically diverse students, as well as those who have been identified as gifted and talented. Teachers will learn specific strategies to empower their students to succeed while simultaneously understanding their specific academic and social challenges. Additionally, teachers will learn the important role that culture plays in a diverse classroom, as well as specific strategies for engaging all learning styles in every lesson (visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic). Teachers will also learn how Tier 1, 2, and 3 interventions can be used to address the diverse learning needs of their students vis-à-vis the MTSS (multi-tiered system of support) framework. Finally, teachers will learn specific strategies for engaging families and the overall school community so that all learning needs can be identified, encouraged, and supported. By the end of this course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to address the vast array of learning needs in their diverse classrooms. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.

"I found the resources from this course to be very informative, well organized, and engaging. I liked how there were relatable scenarios embedded into the material, and I found the strategies that were given in the resources to be well explained and easy to understand." - Cassandra Jones

Required Resource Book

This course has a modestly-priced required resource book (available in both new and used versions) that can be purchased through Amazon using the following link. Note that you can begin and participate in your course before the book arrives.

How to Reach the Hard to Teach by Jana Echevarría, Nancy Frey, and Douglas Fisher

If you are registering for multiple courses, use the following link to access the book list for all PDI courses with direct purchase links through Amazon. PDI Course Resource Book List