Multiculturalism in the Classroom
Introduction
There is a difference among instructing a class in which multiculturalism is the emphasis and joining a fundamental multicultural, comprehensive viewpoint into the classroom environment. Given that "there is no worldwide structure of a multiculturalism development that is faultless for attaining all objectives for all students" (Chamberlin, 2005, p. 26), discovering a method to shape a multicultural basis for sequences across the disciplines may be a better goal for faculty in higher education organizations. Multiculturalism is an idea that cannot be overlooked in today's culture. It is actual, it is connected to the globalization of higher education, and it is going to do nothing but produce in wealth in the future of higher education locations in the United States. Therefore, "it is dangerous that universities and colleges play a leading function in arranging its elements to purpose successfully in a more pluralistic society" (Almarza, 2005, p. 1). With that said, this essay will discuss the pros and cons of teaching multiculturalism in college classrooms.
Pros of Teaching Multicultural Education In college and university efforts to organize students for achievement in a multicultural world, instructors really need to recognize that they can play a principal part by revealing students to multicultural awareness in their classrooms. Teachers hold a dominant accountability for generating an environment that cultivates
I would like to discuss multiculturalism in education; I am particularly focused on the higher education aspect, and the effect of diversity on education. In reference to the four assigned articles that discussed reasons for and against a diverse learning environment in higher education and the effect on education and american culture.
The supporting side also believes that multiculturalism in education is an essential part of college. Studies have found that appreciation for diversity is lacking on college campuses. Evidence shows that among the growing tensions on college campuses, “multiculturalism
It is essential for educators to participate in ongoing and formal preparation in the form of workshops, courses, discussions, etc. Such preparation should focus directly on educators becoming culturally competent and able to understand the impact of biases and stereotypes, as well as cultural diversity and its ability to impact teaching and learning alike. Working with students from racial, ethnic and language minorities and their families can be very different from other students and
Canada is a place known to be a multiculturalism country to many. Although it is meant to be a positive thing in many minds, it is also tended to be a negative thing. This is shown in the essays “No Place Like Home” by Neil Bissondath, and “Immigrants, Multiculralism, and Canadian citizenship” by Will Kymlicka. Both essay make powerful points to why multiculturalism is negative, but also shows the method that the authors use to write such as racism, how both author’s use the pathos and logos method, but also false premises.
However previous to this discussion the classroom was a learning environment that was systematically equipped to assimilate. We as students fell into the curriculum but often times had difficulty identifying with the material presented. Essentially, the presence of diversity is useless if we do not dig deeper into each culture represented. Equally important, is the significance of each culture finding themselves within the curriculum. When topics such as racial tensions in America are presented in the classroom individuals from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life are not only present but seen vividly throughout the courses of society. This transition from a homogenous community to an imagined community can at times be
I have grown up with Education being my catapult through life; I love it. I love to study children and figure out how they learn and how our educational experiences shape us as adults. Five years ago, I found myself accepting a position as a Toddler teacher in a government facility. To describe it simply, I was a fish out of water. I had experience with children, but not with children so small. This experience taught me a great deal about learning in our great world. I was amazed to witness the pure relationships between children of all races in that little toddler room. All color aside, the children seemed to embrace each other's differences and celebrate in their dedicated
Research into multicultural education proves there is still great debate on the subject. Some school administrators support the program and seek effective and inclusive ways of incorporating it into their school programs by developing multicultural programs and activities that encourage the entire school to participate. Furthermore, school leaders advise teachers and stress the importance of utilizing multicultural education when preparing lesson plans and classroom activities. The overall view seems to be that there is a need for cultural diversity teaching throughout the education process in its entirety, whether one is a physical education teacher, a social studies teacher, or a math teacher. However, there is still great debate expressing
The United States serves as a culturally rich country who opens its arms to individuals from many different ethnicities, backgrounds, and life experiences. It seeks to be the melting pot of a blended group of people, providing opportunity and equity for all. Consequently, our educational system is the cornerstone for providing equal opportunity for all persons. Therefore, as the United States continues to be immersed with individuals from various cultures, the educational system must consistently seek to assure that educational opportunities are equally distributed to our students. In order for this task to be accomplished, developing a well-defined illustration of what multicultural education is necessary.
Just exactly what is multicultural education and how do we as educators incorporate it into not only our classes, but into our curriculum and even more, our everyday lessons? The education system is made up of a wildly diverse group of people. Students are sitting in classrooms from all types of backgrounds, plus coming to school with a wide variety of needs. Where at one point in time it was taboo to discuss one’s differences, we were to focus on how we are all alike. We as a group have come to acknowledge that it is okay to be different. We don’t have to be like everybody else.
There are many factors that play a role in the learning process for every human being. Race, religion, language, socioeconomics, gender, family structure, and disabilities can all affect the ways in which we learn. Educators must take special measures in the delivery of classroom instruction to celebrate the learning and cultural differences of each of their students. As communities and schools continue to grow in diversity, teachers are searching for effective educational programs to accommodate the various learning styles of each student while promoting acceptance of cultural differences throughout the classroom. It no longer suffices to plan educational experiences only for middle-or upper class white learners and then
and curriculum. The discussion of the historical and philosophical background of multicultural education teaches educators how race and culture influence educational policy and programs. Multicultural teaching and curriculum is also crucial for the development of equitable education for diverse students. The author asserts that multicultural education can lessen biases while also furthering democratic beliefs and practices among students. The text’s discussion of multicultural education is significant to the field of multicultural education as it demonstrates how multicultural educational practices help students become culturally literate and prepared for today’s diverse and globalized world.
This paper explores Multicultural Educational Reform. It investigates how the current state of our democracy urges the educator to consider the pertinence and definition of multicultural education and how it can be achieved. It demonstrates how the knowledge of a cultural curriculum transformation combined with understanding what constitutes multicultural curriculum can lead to reforming a mainstream curriculum that currently caters only, or primarily, to the Eurocentric, male-centric society that laid the foundation for education. This paper will
While completing coursework at CSUMB for the Liberal Studies program, the researcher was inspired by its classes to be a Diversity and Multicultural Scholar and a Social Justice Collaborator. By evaluating their own and others’ experiences as influenced by social identities, socialization practices, and societal institutions from both historical and contemporary perspectives it helped the researcher open their eyes in how they want to be in their classroom as an educator. In the researchers LS 380: Teaching for Social Change, LS 394: Multicultural literature , and LS 398: Social Foundations of Multicultural Education classes, the researcher critically examined the value of diversity and multiculturalism which interested her in the teaching
The many distinctive theories of multiculturalism encouraged educational activists to seek important transformations in educational institutions from kindergarten through grade 12 to colleges and universities.
Education is one of the most important factors in every person’s life regardless of where they’re from, their race, or their culture. Becoming educated not only makes life easier for us but also can help people become more successful in all things. However with so many people of various races, ethnicities and backgrounds in the United States it is difficult to create an education system that attends to each student’s individual culture. Ones own culture influences their actions and lifestyle, therefore this can create conflict if it is different from their schools cultural teaching style. Multicultural and multilingual classrooms have become the norm in many educational and professional settings throughout the U.S. because of changing immigration patterns caused by globalization (Institute for Educational Leadership, p. 2). For teachers today, it is essential to understand the role of culture and have the ability to interact interculturally in the classroom to create an effective learning environment. Analyzing cultural issues or differences can help teachers to understand some of the unconscious processes that shape individuals’ actions and interactions, as well as their language use and communication. “Teachers who understand cultural diversity…are more likely to be successful in their multicultural classrooms” (Samovar, Pg.2).