There are layers to multiculturalism and its influence on psychological functioning and development of students in the classroom. These layers are made of constructs, helping to define contributing factors, highlight perspectives and better illustrate a continuum of acceptance. Contributing factors to our diverse population are Americanization, assimilation, nativism, and xenophobia. In Human Differences, Kent Koppleman states Americanization “…encourages immigrants to abandon their heritage and conform to American ways” (Koppelman, 2011). Assimilation, adopting other’s traits (Koppelman, 2011), can be unfavorable if multicultural perspectives are not introduced in curriculum to help further inform. Assimilation and Americanization can …show more content…
Relativism can then be attained, as students become more open to the possibility of no absolute (Koppelman, 2011). Culturally aware students can move up a continuum of acceptance. Tolerance is met when students are aware of differences and minimalization can then be realized by emphasizing human qualities verses origins (Koppelman, 2011). Last, students can become “understanding”, accepting differences without judgment (Koppelman, 2011). As educators we need proactive curriculum, so students gain better insight into the world around them. Ignoring diversity is harmful to learning and to students’ attitudes. Human diversity is advantageous when valued by those around them. Experiences are vital to understanding different perspectives. Creating a safe school environment is crucial so that educators can connect school expectations to home perspectives. Educator’s experiences can help schools become receptive to different perspectives, communicate these differences and expectations to colleagues and parents, and relate to multiple perspectives during conflict. Students come with different ways of knowing and viewing life. Students must be educated to different perspectives and as Joel Spring states, “…learn to be bicultural” (Spring, 2010). Educators’ understandings and experiences help facilitate fusion of mixed cultures. Knowledge of personal space and how
2. “Including ethnic and cultural diversity content in the curriculum” Seek out and use only factually based information on different cultural traits. “This is needed to make schooling more interesting and stimulating for, representative of, and responsive to ethnically diverse students,” and this is a teacher’s ultimate goal in being culturally
Teachers must learn about their student’s cultures if they want to educate them to the best of their ability. Many of the students in culturally diverse classrooms will want to learn in different ways. Some will want to learn in pairs, groups, as a class, or just alone. If the teacher is educated in their culture then lessons can be adjusted to appeal to every student as much as possible instead of forcing some to forget about their culture and learn like others. Students from
Students will have a better understanding of their peers and teachers if their environment is multicultural
However, there are questions as to whether or not teachers possess biases that would influence their teaching methods and curriculum. Taking a class in educational diversity is only a start in addressing those biases that may have been unconsciously created. It is the writer’s sincere hope that researching and writing a paper on multicultural education will be a stepping stone toward the critical examination of biases and practices in regards to diversity in the classroom that will continue to influence the readers throughout their educational
High school students in the United States go to school with students of a diverse mix of races, yet many of them are not familiar with cultures other than their own. Today, people are dependent on one another to supply goods, to solve political debates, and to ensure international security, making understanding other cultures essential. This begins with individuals
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.
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students gaining a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably than a judgmental and prejudiced view.
The three things that have made the biggest impact on and have influenced my life that shaped me into the person I am today are family background, experiences from my school year, and religious beliefs. Our culture provides a lens through which we view the world and interpret our everyday experiences. In order to know who I am today, I must look at who you’ve been. Many educators around the country are interested in developing a multicultural approach in their teaching. They find themselves in classrooms with 25 children of varying racial and cultural backgrounds, and are looking for ways to connect what they do in the classroom to the cultures represented by their students. Before we can begin to understand others, however, we need to understand ourselves and what we bring to our interactions with others.
During the late 1960’s, America had entered into a period of cultural definition especially with the emergence of the Civil Rights Movement. Although the term “multicultural education” had not come into play yet, the idea that the U.S needed to reexamine their efforts of educating diverse groups was emerging. During this time inequality especially among minority groups in comparison to the white dominant culture became a social issue (Banks 1999). Before the arrival of this reform multicultural education was displayed in the classroom as having minorities adapt to the predominant culture. Teachers during this time felt it would be more beneficial for minorities to adapt. However, many parents of these minorities begin to argue that the
“We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community and this nation” (Cesar Chavez). Students develop an image based on factors, such as parental teachings, influences by peers, education, and much more. As this world progresses into the future, we should make sure that our actions help with strengthening the diversity among us. How can people benefit from diversity? Diversity provides exposure to others’ cultures, which helps us grasp more knowledge about the world we all live in. Students would be able to befriend other students from diverse backgrounds. The vision for diversity in schools should include the reasoning for diversity, the purpose and benefits, and the understanding of several types of diversity.
The side in opposition to multiculturalism firmly believes that it weakens America by keeping immigrants from adequately assimilating to the core values of America’s Anglo Protestant identity. This side believes that multiculturalism weakens the “social bond” of the United States by denying that immigrants need to assimilate to the language and values of the country’s dominant culture. The rise of non-English speaking communities is seen as a detrimental factor in the goal of achieving unity in American culture. Opponents state that immigrants coming to the United States must always lose their previous culture from their country of origin, to be able to completely assimilate to and fully embrace
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).
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.
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
In America, past and present, we are faced with many challenges pertaining to diversity. Diversity is defined as the presence of human beings with perceived or actual differences based on a variety of human characteristics (Koppelman 2014). A challenge of diversity faced is on American Education. Education is most important because our future society depends on it and if we did not have it our future would most certainly fail. Learning and schooling is critical for everyone to gain knowledge and continue leading our diverse society forward into the right direction. Since diversity is a common issue relating to students who have gone through these situations there have been many intense debates and legal cases (Dey 2008). Education in America needs to have more pluralism, where all diverse groups can have the same mutual respect. Pluralism is the equal coexistence of diverse cultures, institutions, and/or individuals within mutually supportive relationship within the boundaries of one nation (Koppelman 2009). In a pluralistic society all the groups in the society should be taught about each other’s diverse cultures, historical events, and so on in school so it can all be fair. Some parents and teachers felt that there were no benefits for the students to learn about multicultural education (Koppelman 2009). There are so many things that can be done to correct the challenge of diversity to American education and so many reasons why there are challenges in