Welcome to the course blog! I am truly excited about teaching this course, and I hope that you find it to be an enlightening and enjoyable educational experience. As I will mention in class, we will be confronting some challenging issues, many of which might generate strong intellectual and emotional reactions. This blog serves as a mechanism for everyone to process these responses and to learn through engagement with others. Since none of us is as smart as all of us, we can gain further insights by taking in the ideas of our learning community members. While we may disagree on here, it is essential that we always demonstrate respect and maintain an open mind.
To begin blogging, click on the heading "Pre-Class Blog" above. If you scroll down, you can read my instructions and enter your comments in the box. Come back a little while later, click on the same link, and read your colleagues' posts. After the class starts, it would also be great if everyone could at least publish their photo in the "Followers" section on the right-hand side of the page. That way, we can learn each other's names and connect faces with ideas. When you blog each time during the term, be certain to put your real name either as the screen name or in the post (or else we won't know who you are!). HOWEVER, AS I MENTIONED IN MY EMAIL, PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME THIS FIRST TIME.
I will post new blog topics every week. For each topic, please produce a 2-3 paragraph (but more is welcomed!) thoughtful comment that shows your honest reflections and includes some type of contribution to our understanding of the issues at hand. Then, after reading the posts of your classmates, I'd like for you to jump back into the conversation -- either by critically responding to someone else or by adding to your previous post with further insights. Feel free to continue the dialogue if you wish. You will be graded on the value-added nature of your overall posts over the course of the term. Although I am certain that you will get the hang of this blog thing soon, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
TOPIC 1: How do you feel about taking this particular course and addressing issues related to diversity in classrooms and communities? What goals do you have for the class? What suggestions do you have for the instructor? What requests or comments do you have for your classmates? (You are not required to answer all of these questions, but I wanted to produce enough possible angles from which you can approach the topic.)
I think ED 508 or some type of diversity awareness training is a necessary component to becoming a fully effective teacher. As teachers we need to move beyond such stale concepts as African American History Month or Women's History Month where we drag out the same old dead people year after year and call that cultural literacy.
ReplyDeleteI expect the instructor to help us challenge our own beliefs systems and how those belief systems impact how we see those who are not like ourselves.
As a class, I would expect that we would understand that everyone comes from a different place and perspective and while we may not see things the same way - or have the same views - we all are good people.
I think that incorporation of multicultural themes into the curriculum is important. Issues of student achievement are very complex, however, and cannot be treated as if they were simple to overcome. The attitude with which these issues are approached is also of utmost importance. Blame, guilt, and feelings of superiority do not belong if a true, honest conversation about multicultural education is to be had.
ReplyDeleteMy main goal for this class is to learn practical strategies to incorporate multicultural learning into the classroom. Theory is the backbone, but without examples of realistic ideas of its application, it is useless. I also would like to become more aware of the types of activities that may or may not be perceived as multicultural.
As students, teachers, and potential teachers, I hope that there can be honest conversation about what multicultural education means for all groups involved. Issues like these too often get politically charged, and real debate is quashed by simple labels to silence opposing views. I look forward hearing everyone's perspective and fleshing out the details of what multicultural education can offer.
Through various jobs and leadership positions during my undergraduate years and after, I sat through countless "diversity" seminars and training sessions that did little to help us understand how to foster a positive climate and environment for all members of our community (whether that be a school, an office, a dorm, a classroom, a neighborhood, etc.) Now that I am training to become a teacher, I hope that I can learn what I can do to encourage acceptance, collaboration, and cohesiveness in my classroom. I don't think that a simple discussion of how we are the same and different is enough to be an effective teacher (as I have been presented with during some of my prior seminars.) I want to learn how to reach out to my students, understanding their individual situations in order to provide a learning environment that is comfortable and compatible with their beliefs, experiences, and preferences.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to learning about my role as a teacher as I face different situations involving students from various backgrounds and what I can do to foster the positive climate that I believe an understanding of diversity promotes. I hope that our shared experiences will enrich our discussions about all of the different school environments we may face--whether they be urban, rural, suburban, racially diverse or racially homogeneous--and develop the dispositions and attitudes that will help us as educators.
Not really answering a question from above, but I would like to get an understanding about how Wake county and surrounding areas are currently addressing multi-cultural education. Along with that, I would like to know how we can improve this process. I am also looking forward to learning how I can create a true multi-cultural curriculum that empowers students and inspires other teachers.
ReplyDeleteI feel teachers in training should participate in a course that explores diversity in both the classroom and the community. Most classrooms contain students of different nationalities, cultures, genders, socio-economic statuses, sexual orientations as well as many other differences that contribute to diversity among the students. It is imperative that trained educators are able to recognize these differences and incorporate teaching strategies that will ensure a welcoming learning environment for all students.
ReplyDeleteI have formulated some goals for this class. I want to not only learn about different strategies and methods to teach diverse classrooms, but I want to learn how to apply what I have learned in my future classroom. The application of these strategies and methods will be the key to promoting a successful learning environment for the diverse students in my classroom.
I feel that this blog is a wonderful idea for everyone to share their thoughts and perspectives on the difficult topics we will be discussing. It is crucial that each blogger is respectful and considerate when discussing these topics. There will be many different views on the topics we discuss because our classroom, like the classrooms we will teach in the future, is sure to be diverse on many different levels.
I grew up in a very small town with very little diversity. I want to learn more about other ways of life, whether they be ethnicities, religions, cultural backgrounds, etc. I have a few friends who took this class last semester, and they really seemed to get a lot from it. They were challenged, "dragged through the mud," but then ended each class feeling empowered and encouraged. That sounds like quite a roller coaster!
ReplyDeleteI feel that the issues we will be dealing with are very important if we as teachers are to create a family type unit within our classroom. In the previous course that I completed in the MAT program we touched on the topic of diversity. Despite having exposure to many different cultures growing up I still have a lot to learn about cultural diversity.
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals for this course will be to expand my awareness of myself so that I can always see myself as a cultural being. I have formed my own identity through personal interactions throughout my own life and this is no different for anyone else. We all have been formed in similar ways. The distinction lies in the environments that we have been in.
I consider myself to be a pretty open-minded person and can usually jive with the most diverse cultures. However, I'm unsure where it is that I--consciously or subconsciously--"draw the line." I mean, we all feel uncomfortable at some point in certain situations with certain people. I'd like to find out more about myself and my own prejudices in order to better myself as a teacher. I'm looking forward to this class and the exploration ahead!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to the discussion and ideas generated in this class. In the past I have worked with a very diverse group of children and young adults, and would like to serve all students in the best way possible. I agree that practical applications in the classroom would be very helpful. It will be great to have open discussions with people who are all interested in best supporting students and each other as educators.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about taking this class. I enjoy hearing other points of view and hope that people don't hold back with their feelings. To me, it makes for "real" conversation.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that my primary goal as a teacher was to create a diversified environment for my students and honestly I probably would not have selected this course if given the choice. However, after the first class, I realize the benefits this class has to offer and am looking forward to our next lecture.
The reality is that I (as a teacher) am only one of the many people who will have an influence on a students life. I hope that my guidance and leadership with promote multicultural awareness, tolerance and acceptance.
After class last night, my new goal for this class is not get too caught up in defining/questioning/redefining my own perspectives and positionalities. These are incredibly important to my self-growth and abilities as a teacher, but I want to be sure I'm always thinking about how to incorporate activities or exercises into the classroom, not just focus on myself.
ReplyDeleteI think a danger of this course is to see it as some spiritual/belief guidance and redefinition of values. Those types of thoughts are fantastic and worthy, but the reality of the situation is, in 5 weeks, I'm not going to have time to question everything I am in relation to social justice, solidify my personal stance, and then relate my reinvented self to my teachings.
I am all for positive change, whether personal or communal, but I will need to consciously think about my students and possible applications of what I learn into the classroom, rather than take/use this course as a personal exploration. I guess I'm reminding myself to balance my positionality as an individual with the responsibility of being a teacher.
For those interested...
ReplyDelete'Prince of Peria' and 'Airbender' attacked for perceived whitewashing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/25/prince-of-persia-airbende_n_589116.html?page=18&show_comment_id=48345179#comment_48345179
From my friend Leslie who works with schools in Georgia.
ReplyDeleteGROWING 21st CENTURY LEADERS - a parental guide for growing culturally competent children.
http://apps.facebook.com/slideshare/slideshow/3934689?from=morebyuser
I kind of had a feeling I would like this class before the first day..
ReplyDeleteAlready, this class has already provided some really interesting reading material and I like how it's not the same, mundane textbook jargon.
I'm also interested in recognizing/discussing/reading further about any biases or stereotypes absorbed without knowing. We've all have done this. I'm also personally interested in this class because I plan to pursue international teaching post-graduation and would love to engage in further topics about diversity in the classroom.
I really enjoyed class last night. The exercise that we did in the hallway was very different in my opinion but it worked. I found it odd that I was in 3 groups with the same person lol... I admire Dr. Greenfields creativity and while some issues discussed in class may make some uncomfortable, no one can say that class is boring!!!!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the openness that this class offers, but I wonder how open are some people going to be? I pose the question to all classmates: How much have you held back from saying thus far in class to avoid hurting the feelings of others and/or to avoid possibly being ridiculed? Just a thought...