1. Understanding Diversity
PCL Module 10

2. Objectives
Identify ways in which each of us represents some form of diversity
Define the benefits and challenges of collaborating in groups involving persons from diverse backgrounds
Consider ways to promote the benefits of diversity in future colrbaotive situations

3. Essential Questions
In what ways do you see yourself as representing a form of diversity?
In what ways have you experienced diversity in groups?
In what ways does diversity within groups act as a benefit and challenge to the workings of the group?
In what ways might each of us act in the future to promote a greater understanding of diversity and its benefits in collaborative group settings?

4. Agenda
Introduction and Free Write: How do you define diversity and what does it mean in collaborative group settings? (10 minutes)
Small group discussion: Building a common understanding of diversity in collaborative group settings (30 minutes)
Concluding Group Discussion: What common points emerge from small group discussions? Where do we go from here? (20 minutes)

5. Introduction and Free Write: Defining Diversity Personally and in Collaborative Group Settings
Today’s discussion and activities focus on diversity. Take about 5 minutes to write answers to the following questions:
Think of a time when you have been in a group where the membership of the group includes people from diverse backgrounds. What does diversity mean to you in this situation?
In what ways do you see yourself as representing a form of diversity?
What are the benefits of diversity in these types of group settings?
What personal and/or group challenges do you observe when you are in a group with diverse membership?
What questions do you have for others regarding diversity?
As an opening to this module, you will need to make some of the following points with participants:
Most of the current literature on leadership and group functioning acknowledges the important role and benefits of diverse membership in collaborative groups.
In order to understand the role that diversity plays in groups, it is important to consider our own definitions of diversity and our comfort level with various issues related to diversity.
The literature also acknowledges the challenges that may arise when individuals lack a deep understanding of diversity and/or do not understand the ways in which persons from diverse backgrounds may perceive collaborative processes and leadership styles.
Given that many of us experience various forms of diversity, and that most participants are members of one diverse group-- parents of children with disabilities– the module is designed to build on participants’ personal experiences with diversity to further explore the topic.
The module begins with a “free write,” in which participants take about 5 minutes to jot down answers to the questions on this power point slide. . As such, the activities include a discussion of participants' personal perspectives and experiences with diversity and the ways in which diverse membership in groups may present itself as both a benefit and a challenge to effective functioning.

6. Small group discussion: Building a common understanding of diversity
In groups of three – four people, use a round robin format to share your thoughts about each of the questions from the free writing exercise.
A facilitator should be identified to lead the group through the questions, while a recorder writes down the group’s responses. A reporter should also be selected to report out results during the large group discussion to follow.
At the end of your group’s discussion of each questions, try to record the group’s thoughts in a “statement of common understanding.” Individual ideas that are imprtant but may not be shared by all group members should also be recorded.
Begin this activity by dividing the large group into small groups of three to four participants each. Review the directions and clarify as necessary. The discussion will work best if group members use a round robin format as they go through each question. For example, for question #1, each group member should be given the opportunity to share his/her ideas about that question until all group members’ ideas have been heard. The directions for this activity can remain posted for the duration of small groups.
A handout is provided for groups to record their responses and statements of common understanding, as well as other ideas that are important but may not represent the group’s collective thinking.

7. Small Group Recording Form
Use the appropriate spaces to record your group’s responses to each of the questions:
Think of a time when you have been in a group where the membership of the group includes people from diverse backgrounds. What does diversity mean to you in this situation?
Individual responses:
Statement of common understanding:
Other important ideas:
Slides 7 – 9 should be copied and distributed to group members to use as a recording form for group responses. During the activity, you should keep time and give reminders as necessary when the 30 minutes allotted for the activity are coming to a close. You may also need to provide clarifications to the directions and/or the sue of various roles.

8. Small Group Recording Form, continued
In what ways do you see yourself as representing a form of diversity?
Individual responses:
Statement of common understanding:
Other important ideas:
What are the benefits of diversity in these types of group settings?

9. Small Group Recording Form, Continued
What personal and /or group challenges do you observe when you are in a group with diverse membership?
Individual responses:
Statement of common understanding:
Other important ideas:
What questions do you have for others regarding diversity?

10. Guidelines for the Large Group Discussion
Each group’s reporter should now share the “common understandings” and “other important ideas” for each of the questions discussed by the group.
Other group members are also free to add observations from their group discussion.
As the discussion continues, note common themes among the groups, as well as the differences in responses that you observe.
Begin this portion of the module by reviewing the guidelines for the large group discussion. Your primary role in the discussion is to record each of the ideas being expressed on large sheets of flip chart paper, a white board, etc. You may also want to help groups identify common themes as well as differences. As the discussion progresses, groups may find that they have similar responses to previous groups. If this happens, you can encourage the reporters to share ideas that have not been previously offered.

11. Concluding Group Discussion:
What common points emerge from small group discussions? Different points?
How can we support one another in developing a deeper understanding of diversity?
How can we support the groups that we work with in recognizing and addressing both the benefits and challenges of diversity within collaborative group settings?
As you facilitate the final discussion, try to elicit as many points of view regarding each of the questions as possible. Responses to question one should come primarily from a review of the recording of small group responses that you have just completed. Answers to questions two and three will vary according to participants’ experiences, but they may involve any of the ideas listed below. (If you prefer, the two slides that follow contain the same ideas and may be distributed during or following the discussion):
Question #2: We can support one another by:
Inviting group members to share their personal stories and backgrounds
Holding group discussions that specifically address the common and different experiences of group members
Supporting one another in learning the “language of diversity,” e.g. the terms that people representing different groups prefer to use when reference is being made to their group, use of person-first language, etc.
Making sure that group processes encourage the participation of all members and recognize the various preferences that group members may have in terms of communication styles, conflict resolution styles, etc.
Question #3: We can recognize and address the benefits and challenges related to diversity by:
Use specific problem-solving processes that invite people to share their diverse perspectives
Acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives when we successfully resolve a conflict or come up with a creative solution to a problem
Acknowledging when differences in personality style, cultural or ethnic background, experiences, or other forms of diversity are enhancing or challenging the groups work.
Inviting group members to challenge stereotypes that may prohibit deeper understandings of diversity

12. Ideas for supporting one another in developing deeper understandings of diversity
We can support one another by:
Inviting group members to share their personal stories and backgrounds
Holding group discussions that specifically address the common and different experiences of group members
Supporting one another in learning the “language of diversity,” e.g. the terms that people representing different groups prefer to use when reference is being made to their group, use of person-first language, etc.
Making sure that group processes encourage the participation of all members and recognize the various preferences that group members may have in terms of communication styles, conflict resolution styles, etc.
Additional ideas:

13. Ideas for recognizing and addressing the benefits and challenges of diversity in group settings
We can recognize and address benefits and challenges by:
Using specific problem-solving processes that invite people to share their diverse perspectives
Acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives when we successfully resolve a conflict or come up with a creative solution to a problem
Acknowledging when differences in personality style, cultural or ethnic background, experiences, or other forms of diversity are enhancing or challenging the group’s work.
Inviting group members to challenge stereotypes that may prohibit deeper understandings of diversity
Additional ideas:

14. Closing Thoughts: Commitments to Action
Take one minute to think about an action you might take in a group setting to promote a deeper understanding of diversity and/or to support members of your group in recognizing the role of diverse group members and ideas.
Share your idea with a partner or with the whole group.
Make a commitment to yourself to take this action the next time it is relevant to a group situation.
This final activity may be used to suggest that each of us needs to make a commitment to taking action to ensure that the groups in which we participate are fully cognizant of the role of diversity and the needs to support one another in acknowledging and fostering diversity in group situations. Individual ideas may be shared with partners or with the whole group, depending on the comfort level of participants.