Fifty years ago the primary thought of school was that all children respond to the same method of instruction, which was essentially lecture, the use of a text book and a test. But as time has progressed, educational philosophers, educational psychologists and educational theorists have realized that all people learn differently. There are three primary learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Classrooms today have approximately 30 students and each student learns differently. I believe it is the responsibility of the teacher to make sure that he or she is meeting the learning needs of their students. One way to ensure that as a teacher you are meeting the needs of your students is by beginning the year with a 'Learning Style Test'. Every teacher wants his or her students to be successful and when relying on one method of instruction (whether it be lecture or discussion) one will not be catering to their diverse needs. It is best to expand what is done in the classroom: mix it up a little and incorporate lecture, discussion, experiments, role playing, debates, group work, and videos. These approaches cater to the many different learning styles that are in the classroom.
In the book Making Choices for Multicultural Education by Christine E. Sleeter and Carl A. Grant and according to Reverend Jeremiah Wright, learning styles are culturally dependent. This means a black child learns differently than a white child. Studies have proven that black children use the right side of their brain more, which is the creative side. While white children, use the left side of the brain more, which is more the logical and cognitive style of understanding information. Reading this in the text and hearing Rev. Wright talk about it in the video really made me think long and hard. Does one's cultural background actually have an impact in the way one learns? I know black children who use their left side of the brain and I know a lot of white children who use their right side of the brain. To say that this is a hard core fact I think is untrue, no matter what psychologists may believe. I think someone's learning style is based upon a number of factors (including environment and chemical make up) but I don't think that one's ethnic background has as much as an effect as Rev. Wright contends.
Something else that was mentioned in another book, Rethinking Multicultural Education by Wayne Au and talked about in class today, was the method in which a teacher can teach multiculturalism and the differences which are represented in the classroom. One activity I thought that would be very successful in teaching multiculturalism (and individualism) is the "Me Pockets". "Me Pockets" is ac activity where each child takes home a letter-size, clear, plastic sleeve, and fills it with photos, pictures, drawing, and anything else they can find that represents them and what is important in their lives. By doing this type of process and then sharing it with the class, is helpful in allowing students to learn about their classmates and to recognize that just because someone has a different colored skin doesn't mean there aren't similarities. In fact a white child may even have more in common with another black child then they do with a white child.
From this past week's reading and from our discussion in class this week, I am becoming more aware that race is merely a social construct to form economic classes. In this article that I have posted, it discusses diversity in public schools vs. diversity in private schools. After reading the it I am more conscious of the idea that multicultural education is not just about immersing oneself in another ethnic culture but also in another economic culture. In addition to be divided by skin color, neighborhoods also reflect the size of one's house, the type of car someone owns, and the style of clothing one wears. To me this is another form of avoiding the opportunity for constructive interaction. I am seeking an appreciation for the depth of an individual that transcends their socioeconomic status. I think it is the responsibility of the parents, the community and the teachers to proactively ensure that they guide our youth to the wonderful benefits that a multi layered cultural experience allows.
Loni, I happen to agree with you on the left-brain right-brain argument. I think it reeks of Eugenics and while it comes from multiculturalists, I hate to agree with it. My preference, however, is solely based on the fact that we cannot assign one particular behavior to a race because then we feed into the stereotypes without giving full consideration to the many other factors (like you said) that impact a person's understanding and learning style.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing: Teachers don't necessarily have to do a learning styles assessment if they practice "differentiated instrctuion" at all times.