Othering in Alexie and the Classroom
Othering in Alexie and classroom
Otherness describes a relationship that is imposed by dominant groups with the power to define who is undesirable or lower-status. This a power relationship where the dominant members justify their own privilege even if the power group is the minority, with a classic example in South African Apartheid where a white minority kept the wealth, power and legal decision-making status for themselves even though they were far outnumbered. Othering by males against females provides a more balanced example where domination results in different pay for equal work; different social roles and different unpaid work expectations for example.
Most often however, stigmatization takes place by dominant groups against minorities where the dominant majority designates itself the norm, and then enacts values the minority group can never share. This allows the dominant group to assign others temporary privileges, but if the identifying stigma is visible at all times, this temporary privilege can be revoked at any time. This allows any dominant member the right to put the other "in their place" because they can never transcend the stigma. These relationships become institutionalized through law, tradition, and ultimately result in "reverse racism" or individual and group self-identification with the stigma as taken for granted and unwanted,...
It's long been a challenge in pedagogy to find a way to meet the needs of a diverse classroom; students have always presented a range of different cultural, linguistic, social and socioeconomic needs and backgrounds. In fact, in the academic research paper, "Culturally Responsive Differentiated Instruction" by Santamaria, it was found that ultimately, "The best teaching practices are those that consider all learners in a classroom setting and pay close
..control the environment by implementing a logical system (the teacher's, of course) of conditioning." (Tauber, 1999, p. 19) in this context the teacher is seen as an "interventionist" in that he or she has to control and dictate the learning and behavioral environment. "By accepting a position as a teacher, a person has not only the right but an 'obligation' to modify student behavior" (Axelrod, 1977, p. 158). In essence
Classroom Discipline Cook-Sather, a. (2009). "I'm not afraid to listen: Prospective teachers learning from students." Theory Into Practice, 48(3), 176-183. Cook-Sather's article describes a teacher education program she conducts at Bryn Mawr College and the results of a survey of teachers who went through the program. The program is called the Teaching and Learning Together (TLT). Through TLT, secondary education students at the college have substantial interaction with high school students from area
Students with special needs are at an increased risk fro having low self-esteem which can often impact their potential for achievement. The best way to overcome this is to reinforce students with positive behaviors and help them work through challenges they may be facing daily. Glasser (1984) developed a theory that suggests that students need to be taught to control their behavior in order to succeed, and thus the role
Classrooms are diverse environments, characterized by students from varying backgrounds, and with varying needs and skill levels. It is from this diversity and the recognition of how it contributes to the richness of a learning environment that the concept of differentiated instruction arises. Through differentiated education, students representing diversity have the opportunity to learn in environments that promote inclusion, unity, and understanding. An investigation into the effects of differentiated instructional
Rural special education quarterly, Vol. 23, Issue 4, 3-9. Retrieved November 26, 2010, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&hid=104&sid=5c0f11c9-17f3-4f60-8ce3-d4df66666494%40sessionmgr14 Lake, V.E. (2004, August). Ante up: Reconsidering classroom management philosophies so every child is a winner. Early Chil Development and care, Vol. 174, Issue 6, 565-574. Retrieved November 26, 2010, from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&hid=17&sid=5c0f11c9-17f3-4f60-8ce3-d4df66666494%40sessionmgr14 Los Angeles County Office of Education. (2002). Teacher expectations and student achievement. Coordinator Manual. Marlow, E. (2009, December). Seven criteria for an effective classroom enviironment.
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now