This chapter will introduce the readers to some of theories and ideas that provide meaning and direction for the webquest. Understanding the deeper themes and theories behind webquests is integral, because these pedagogical theories are widely accepted by scholars and lend legitimacy to their application in classrooms. The second part of this chapter will orient the reader with past quantitative and qualitative studies related to webquests. This portion of the chapter will compare and contrast past quantitative studies to the information collected for this paper. Scaffolding and Differentiation
Integrating WebQuests in Preservice Teacher Education.
One of the most useful elements of webquests is their ability to contribute to scaffolding. In pedagogy, scaffolding is a vital process that allows students to build upon their work with each step and model appropriate methods. In an English classroom, students will go through a rigorous process before drafting a work of fiction or nonfiction, just like an author would. The student will brainstorm, make storyboards, or use other techniques to build upon their initial ideas. Webquests are an
…show more content…
Several well validated studies have affirmed the idea that minority students feel ostracized when their race, creed, sex, or religion is not represented in the classroom. That isolation can prove harmful to students morale, esteem, and ability to function effectively in classrooms. As a multiethnic individual, Gloshanda Lawyer made a detailed case for installing a multicultural secondary education. In, “The Dangers of Separating Social Justice From Multicultural Education,” Lawyer provides a personal narrative of the multicultural education in Lawyer’s own life enriched her experience in school. It helps individuals strive to be, “agents of change,” that can contribute positively to society (Lawyer,
Introduction Paragraph Revised: Segregation not only stands as a hindrance when attempting to gain an education it also can be found harmful to one’s mentality. The word segregation in most cases means a separation between different backgrounds whether it be racial, ethical, or even religious. Segregation, however, is not as simple as the definition portrays. Segregation had been the very plague to root itself from not only within our nation but also inside of each of us. Even to this very day, segregation finds itself creeping into our now reformed society.
Chapter 11 of Transforming Multicultural Education Policy and Practice, written by Pedro Noguera and Esa Syeed, details the myriad of policies, ideologies, academic approaches, and individual actions that have built racialized structures within American culture and continues to ensure inequality in urban schools through race. They go on to call the reader to action; we, as educators, must actively strive for and demand anti-racist policy, (help to) create programs that recognize with race and trauma, sustain culture and community in our curricula, and be reflective of our practices and policies that lend us to serving the interest of dominant society (p. 307). Similarly, in Chapter 2 of Bettina Love’s text, Love outlines historical and contemporary
Banks’ “Multicultural Education and Curriculum Transformation”, does not state a certain history that is studied. Banks talks about different cultures and focus on how to get a diverse student to be engage. Banks seems to encourage students to learn about their culture along with the next student’s culture. Banks provides points that can help with the education reform. Banks also points out some flaws in theories, methods and practices.
Students need to feel accepted for who they are; which includes their culture, skin color, identity, and sexual orientation. Being discriminated against or experiencing bias in the classroom creates a place that is no longer safe for the student. In Layli Long Soldiers article, “Now, You Will Listen '' she tells a story about her daughter standing up and speaking the truth about how her teacher should be more culturally appropriate in the classroom. Layli Long Soldier expresses the heartwarming feeling that she experiences from her daughter's strength to be able to defend and shield a culture that she doesn't even belong to. The courage it takes to be an ally at such a young age should be normalized.
A classroom should be filled with a wide variety of languages, experiences, and cultural diversity. An effective teacher understands the importance of culturally responsive teaching, and recognizes the significance of including students ' cultural references in all aspects of learning. Having an enriching classroom that engages all students does not mean making judgments about a student’s culture based on their skin color, gender, or socioeconomic status, rather it means knowing each student in a way that is individualized. According to the authors of The First Day of School: How to be an Effective Teacher Harry Wong, race, gender, religion, financial statue, and skin color is the least important factor determining a student’s achievement. Moreover, demographics and culture are not an excuse for students’ lack of achievement.
As a future teacher, I will strive to resemble culturally responsive teaching by seeking to understand the student's perspective further. Understanding the student’s perspective will create an educational environment that represents all people, honor individual diversity, and affirm unity among all members if the educational community (8a.0). As I begin to learn about ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic groups through different learning experiences, I realize how to pursue positive interactions with students of other backgrounds (8a.1). With this knowledge, I can analyze and adjust the curriculum to meet all groups of diversity in the classroom (8a.2).
(Black 2013) It is obvious that integrated schools improve education for low-income and minority students, so the solutions to the stratification issues we face should include, (1) helping all parents understand diversity provides benefits to everyone and (2) developing and supporting policies that promote diversity, while maintaining individual choice to a degree. To address the issue of helping parents understand the importance of diversity, schools should utilize the increased marketing that has come with more choice. Instead of focusing entirely on the fiscal bottom line or test scores, schools could explain that critical thinking and better preparation for a multicultural world with its global economy are some of the benefits of integrated schools, areas white students are currently lacking in. (Black 2013)
For the first time in the history of our country the number of children of color, specifically African-American, Latino and Asian are quietly passing the number of white children. This change impacts not only our nation’s public schools, but will impact the culture of our entire nation and poses a conundrum for society. In order to maintain our status as a Super Power in the world we must improve the academic outcome for the new and diverse majority of American students. Their success is linked to the well being of our entire country. There are other challenges faced by educators today, such as more students living in poverty, more ELL students, changes in curriculum and environmental changes.
Patricia Gándara writes about the crippling segregation within our modern school system for Latino students in her essay Overcoming Triple Segregation. She examines the Latin American’s struggle for education by pointing out how not only are they segregated racially; but socioeconomically and linguistically. Gándara states that segregation towards Latinos will result small amounts of academic success and fewer citizens entering the workforce. Then the article takes a turn to advocate the use of bilingual classrooms, stating that by assimilating them into our culture, they will be able to become successful future contributing members of society. Gándara states that Latinos are forced to overcome the racial hostility placed before them, a lack
1. What are the two critical elements to keep in mind when using instructional scaffolding? Modeling and Practice are the two critical elements to keep in mind when using instructional scaffolding. Modeling is when the teacher demonstrates or models each step in a task or strategy multiple times, so that through repetition and modeling the students understand both how to perform each step and why. Practice is when the students are allowed to either work individually or in groups with the teacher to practice a task or strategy.
Statement of the Problem The problem that will be addressed in this study is leadership strategies of secondary teacher when applying multicultural education to the curriculum in a southeastern Mississippi school district. Multicultural education implementation in the public-school system has seen challenges with regards to actions to increase students’ cultural awareness and understanding to problems of oppression and inequalities (Peters-Davis & Shultz, 2015). According to De La Mare (2014), research has revealed that pre-service and in-service teachers frequently become silent, withdraw, and even dismiss valid arguments about issues of race and racism. Additionally, by becoming culturally dexterous as an educator, teachers will have a better understanding of the rationale, importance, and theoretical support for knowing and understanding multicultural education (Yanhui, 2013).
To resolve these relating to segregation and educational inequity, educators must face racism upfront. Educators have to confront their own, sometimes unmindful, racism, and then move toward integration that will lead to a better cure of racism or at least a prejudice reduction. Important aspects of a multicultural curriculum include critical thinking, emotional intelligence instruction, character, moral education, peace education, service learning, antiviolence education, and the comprehensive of education etc. Sandra Parks, a successful educator, believes that by adapting the curriculum and by addressing expressions of racism, schools can help students improve to by understanding and dealing with other people, of peoples color and cultural differences. She believes that teachers have to show respect towards their students, their families, and their students' cultural backgrounds.
It is fair to extend a hand to minorities who have overcome a background of hardship and have risen above. Not only do they prove to be a glimmer of hope for younger generations in similar situations as a minority, but they are hope of improvement to their own communities and possess the power to break the barriers between minority groups and the rest of America. Along with that, every student – minority or not - deserves to learn from many different people. Diversity is key in the education system, and in in the world’s society as a whole. As Finkleman states, “A diversity of views leads to a better discussion and greater understanding among the students.
“The Expanded Definition of Sociolinguistics is one of the uses of language in society is to build and sustain meaningful relationships among people (Spolsky, 1998)”. Multiculturalism, as the art of managing diversity, is an inclusive process where no one is left out. This is essential in effective teaching. To communicate successfully, teachers must know how to structure their own language output for maximum clarity and have strategies for understanding what students are saying. Teachers in multicultural classrooms must be open to their students and put forth the effort needed to get to know their students both inside and outside of class.
Education is a huge issue that not only affects kids and their parents, but their community as well. Schools teach young kids to become the next generation of engineers, technicians, and political leaders, working towards creating a better future for their country and their community. Teachers have the unique job of creating the future leaders of the world, and preparing them for both college and life beyond, by putting a special push towards math and science, the so-called “foundation” of our society. The hard truth is, no one can be anything they want to be. Some people are simply not cut out to be engineers, doctors, or psychologists.