From Theory to Practice: 6 Strategies for Teaching Diverse Learners

Teaching is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Every classroom is filled with students with unique perspectives, strengths, and learning needs. For educators, this diversity is both an opportunity and a responsibility to cultivate an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive. 

In This Article, We Will Answer…

Who are diverse learners?

Why does inclusive teaching matter?

What are effective teaching strategies for diverse learners?

How can educators bridge theory and practice in the classroom?

How can SMU Simmons help you strengthen your teaching practice? 

Who Are Diverse Learners?

Diverse learners are students who exhibit a wide range of differences in their learning styles, abilities, backgrounds, and experiences. They include:

• ESL (English as a second language) students
• Gifted and talented students
• Students with disabilities
• Students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Simply put, any student who needs differentiated instruction or support can be considered a diverse learner. 

Why Does Inclusive Teaching Matter?

Inclusive teaching is about more than meeting legal requirements or checking a box. The goal is to cultivate a positive classroom culture rooted in equity so that each student can receive the opportunities and resources that they need to learn and succeed.  

Beyond that, inclusive teaching also benefits the entire class as a whole by:

• Encouraging all students to participate, allowing others to benefit from hearing diverse perspectives
• Strengthening teachers’ ability to adapt instruction with innovative solutions 
• Creating an environment that fosters respect and belonging

In short, inclusive teaching ensures that no student is left behind. 

What Are Effective Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners?

Each of the following approaches provides a pathway to transform your classroom into a more engaging, flexible, and equitable environment: 

1. Create Lessons with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Universal Design Learning is a proactive, systemic approach that encourages educators to design lessons with flexibility from the start to remove any barriers to learning. While “universal” may seem like UDL aims to use one way to teach all students, it’s the opposite—using a variety of methods to account for all students’ different strengths and needs. 

The three main principles of UDL are:

• Engagement: Look for different ways to keep students motivated (e.g., give assignments that feel relevant to their lives and create opportunities for them to move around the classroom). 
• Representation: Provide information in more than one format (e.g., give students written instructions and also read them aloud). 
• Actions and expression: Give students various ways to interact with the material and demonstrate what they learned (e.g., allow them to either take a written test, give an oral report, or design a comic strip). 

In other words, UDL presents information in ways that adapt to the learner, instead of making the learner adapt to the information. By offering everyone various options, UDL doesn’t single out learners with disabilities who need formal accommodations. 

2. Adapt with Differentiated Instruction

While UDL is proactive, differentiated instruction is responsive. Meaning, teachers make intentional adjustments once they know their students’ specific readiness levels, interests, or learning profiles. 

Here are four areas teachers can differentiate with examples:

• Content: What the student needs to learn (e.g., offer varied reading levels of the same text)
  
• Process: How students engage with the material (e.g., reteach a small group who needs extra support while others move on to an enrichment activity) 
• Products: How students demonstrate mastery (e.g., encourage students to create their own product assignments as long as they include required elements) 
• Learning environment: The way the classroom looks and feels (e.g., designate spaces for collaboration or quiet, solo work)

3. Incorporate Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally responsive teaching involves connecting instruction to students’ lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, and community knowledge. Doing so validates learners’ identities and ensures they see themselves reflected in what they learn. 

A culturally responsive classroom might:

• Include literature and resources from diverse authors and perspectives. 
• Encourage students to share personal or cultural connections during discussions. 
• Frame lessons in ways that acknowledge multiple worldviews rather than a single dominant narrative. 

For instance, in a history lesson, instead of only examining events from one cultural perspective, the teacher could guide students to analyze how those same events were experienced differently by various groups of people. Doing so not only deepens understanding but also shows students that their voices and histories matter. 

4. Leverage Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) refers to a wide range of tools and devices that remove barriers and expand access for students with learning differences, disabilities, or other needs. AT can be as low-tech as a pencil grip or as high-tech as a sophisticated software program. 

Other examples of AT include:

• Screen readers that convert text on a computer screen into audible speech, allowing visually impaired learners to access information independently 
• FM listening systems that transmit amplified sound directly to students’ hearing aids and reduce background noise in the classroom
• Assistive joysticks that allow students with limited motor control to use computers and other electronic devices
• Word prediction software that reduces spelling errors and improves writing for students with dysgraphia or other writing-related learning disabilities

5. Foster Collaboration with Think-Pair-Share

The think-pair-share method is a simple but powerful strategy that gives every student a chance to process the learning material and contribute. Students have the time to think independently, discuss with a peer, and then share with the whole class.

Think-pair-share is especially effective for students who may need extra processing time, feel shy about speaking up, or are still building confidence in a new language. When teachers give learners space to gather their thoughts before sharing, they can reduce stress and increase student engagement. 

6. Engage Students in Inquiry-Based Learning 

Inquiry-based learning shifts the classroom dynamic from teacher-led instruction to student-driven exploration. Instead of passively receiving information, learners ask questions, conduct research and experiments to find solutions, reflect on their findings, and share their results. 

Meanwhile, teachers act as guides, providing resources and scaffolding while allowing students to take ownership of their learning experience. As a result, students strengthen transferable skills—such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication—that will benefit them in their future careers and beyond.

How Can Educators Bridge Theory and Practice in the Classroom? 

To apply the above strategies in everyday teaching, build reflection into lesson planning and instruction. Here are some guiding questions that teachers can regularly ask themselves to ensure their classrooms remain accessible, equitable, and empowering for all students and their diverse learning needs:

• Alignment with goals: Am I offering multiple pathways (e.g., assistive technology, inquiry-based learning) so every student can reach the same learning outcomes?
• Lesson design: Whose needs might this activity unintentionally overlook? How can I adjust the lesson’s design before I teach it?
• Collaboration: Have I asked colleagues, specialists, or co-teachers for input? 
• Assessment: How will I check for understanding in real time (e.g., think-pair-share), and how will I use that feedback to adapt my teaching? 
• Classroom culture: Do students feel they can take risks, ask questions, and that their contributions are valued in my classroom? 

Consistently engaging with these questions can help teachers strengthen the link between educational theory and classroom practice. Remember that inclusive classrooms are built through intentional reflection, responsiveness, and commitment to equity. 

How Can SMU Simmons Help You Strengthen Your Teaching Practice?

The best teachers never stop learning. At SMU, our Master of Education in Teaching & Learning program is designed for educators like you who are eager to deepen their expertise and make a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond. 

Through our flexible program, you’ll gain research-backed expertise while also developing classroom-ready techniques that celebrate student diversity. You can customize your degree plan by taking courses in different areas of interest, including urban education, ESL and bilingual education, STEM, and more.  

Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to the field and eager to make your mark, an M.Ed. degree can transform your career and help you discover (or rediscover) the joys of teaching. Take the next step today by downloading our free guide: Rediscover Your Life’s Passion—What is an M.Ed. Degree?