The purpose of this study is to answer how teachers look at diversity in groups, with learning in focus. For this study I chose different high-schools in Sweden teaching Moving Pictures, in Swedish 'Rörlig bild'.
These are the research questions: 1) What advantages and disadvantages do the teachers see with homogenity and heterogenity in their groups? 2) Which ascpects of teaching do the teachers bring up when talking about diversity?
The method of this study has been a qualitative analysis and investigation in questionnarie form, with qualitative questions. Teachers were asked and data was examined with help of theories in diversity, group work, group dynamics, homogenity and heterogenity by authors like Toseland, Jones and Gellis (2004), Forslund Frykedal (2008) and Hammar Chiriac (2008).
It is noticable that the teachers thought of differences in terms almost exclusively of school ability. The result is: - As a whole: homogenity means security, heterogenity means creativity. Homogenous groups can be necessary if the differences are great. - As for individual aspects: heterogenous groups may give personal development and capability for co-operation.
Diversity is of great importance for the pupils studing Moving Pictures, 'Rörlig bild'. Thanks to that they learn to cooperate with other people different from themselves.