Verified Document

Teaching Methods & Intercultural Education Research Proposal

Figure 1

Personality Development and Cultural Socialization

Source: Finkbeiner and Koplin (2002)

Finkbeiner and Koplin additionally relate that the constructivist view is one that holds that "individuals construct the world in ways that help them make meaning of it and from it. Thus our cultural identity is the result of cognitive and constructive processes. From early childhood we categorize what we perceive, we form concepts and prototypes and we attribute meaning to our experiences." (2002) Accompanying these cognitive processes are brain activities in the domain of emotions in which feelings and perceptions are associated with the concepts that result form the process of constructing meaning and self-identity. The result is that the individuals develops not only a cultural identity but also, due to the emotional connection develops cultural preferences in regards to the social environment of the individual which is referred to an "ethnic images." (Garcia, 1999 in Finkbeiner and Koplin, 2002) Finkbeiner and Koplin states that the learning process is one that is similar to a hermeneutic circle as it takes place. The Hermeneutic Circle of Acquiring Cultural Knowledge is shows in the following illustration which has been adapted from the work of Finkbeiner and Koplin (2002).

Figure 2

Hermeneutic Circle of Acquiring Cultural Knowledge

Source: Finkbeiner and Koplin (2000)

The work of Verstraete (2007) entitled: "Flemish Teaching Resources Under the Magnifying Glass: In Search of Intercultural Content" states that the school is "an important actor in helping children and young people to function in a multicultural society, to be able to cope with diversity in a positive way, and to be able to look at the world around them from the perspective of others." (Verstraete, 2007) The presupposition is that pupils are provided with the necessary skills in deal with this diversity and that this provision is made by management teams, teachers and others in today's schools and classrooms. This however, can only take place when teachers and school teams are in possession of necessary resources for teaching that "exhibit multiculturality and resources which enable them to teach "from an intercultural perspective" and that "support them in working on pupils' competencies in dealing with diversity." (Verstraete, 2007) Verstraete (2007) states that work on diversity in education implies "a twofold mission" as follows: (1) Dealing with diversity as an objective of citizenship in a democratic and plural society; and (3) Diversity as means to achieving equal educational opportunities. (Verstraete, 2007) There are stated to be six objectives specifically required when conducting research on diversity. Those six objectives are stated as follows: (1) Normality -- seeing diversity as a normal phenomenon which everyone encounters in various situations on a daily basis; (2) Absence of Prejudice and non-discrimination -- avoiding prejudices and generalizations, where possible and desirable; refraining from combating any form of discrimination; (3) Multiperspectivity - Looking at events, contexts and people from a variety of perspectives; (4) Capacity to Adapt - Functioning in different contexts in continually changing circumstances and new situations; (5) Dialogue and Collaboration - Opting for dialogue and collaboration; and (6) Learning from Each Other -Learning from each other's visions, experiences and competencies. (Verstraete, 2007; paraphrased)

Analysis

Diversity policies in schools must be the starting place for intercultural education and this is evidenced in the work of Verstraete who describes a diversity policy as "a continuous process of innovation aimed at adapting an organization in all its aspects to our pluriform, democratic society." (2007) The requirement of this process in education is one of adaptation and of a "fundamental transformation of the basic attitude and vision of the school teams." (Verstraete, 2997) What results when there is a failure of innovation and changes and encouragement for these changes in the "attitudes and conceptions of teachers and school management teams" is that whatever initiatives take place "at the pupil level are not likely to achieve much." (Verstraete, 2007) Therefore, school diversity policy must necessarily institute the following five objectives: (1) Acknowledging at all times that diversity is an objective and goal among all teachers, students and others in the school and ultimately in the community; (2) Creation of the pedagogical and didactic conditions for an effective approach to diversity at class and school level, with the community level in view; (3) Transforming the school into an organization that is "an active and learning organization"; (4) Having a keen focus on diverse composition of ethnicities...

(Ibid, paraphrased, 2007)
Discussion

This study is one that is longitudinal in nature and the reason that the timeline which is related in the following section is proposed is because of the necessity of an ongoing intercultural activity in the school that is formalized in nature and that will be implemented in part due to a requirement or expectation that this study will be ongoing and primarily because it is the belief of this researcher that a study that intends to actually accomplish important research findings that can be effectively and meaningfully applied in the study of intercultural education is one that obtains enough data to actually demonstrate how to deal effectively with an ongoing and dynamic intercultural environment. In other words, today's schools are increasingly comprised by not only high levels of diversity but as well they are characterized by ever-shifting and changing demographics. When schools experience an influx of a specific cultural group or ethnicity and when this influx is one of a 'sudden' nature the importance of studying and understanding this process becomes additionally complex. For this purpose this proposal is for both a longitudinal study and a study that will be limited in its findings due to the time allotted for research which is to be stated the length of six months time.

Timeline

The primary study in this proposal is that of an ongoing qualitative study of a longitudinal nature that is designed for the purpose of understanding the most effective methods of intercultural education in the classroom and is one proposed for a five-year period to implemented in participating schools and their appointed classrooms in the study as proposed herein. The second study proposed herein is one that will be implemented in schools which are yet to be identified and that will take place for a period of six months time. The same methodology insofar as the data collection and analysis process will be that as set out and identified earlier in this document as the ABC's of Cultural Understanding and Communication model.

Conclusion

Both studies as proposed in the progression of this work in writing are critical in nature because this knowledge is needed in today's schools. In some cases this knowledge is needed quickly as school districts are presently consolidating schools in their districts due to lack of funding. These consolidations are creating new mixtures of cultures and diversities which previous knowledge does not provide the answers that teachers will need to successfully navigate this new cultural and ethnic mix and the intercultural demands that will be placed upon them. Teachers are not prepared to fill these roles and this will impact the educational initiative negatively is not mitigated successfully. Just this issue will soon be faced in some Alabama school districts as segregated school will be consolidated from one end of the county to the other in a sudden move due to lack of funding of schools. (Decatur Daily, 2009) This work has demonstrated the critical need for study to understand the 'Intercultural' needs of today's students, teachers, and schools.

Bibliography

Wagner, Jon (1993) Ignorance in Educational Research Or, How Can you Not Know That? June/July 1993. Educational Researcher Vol. 22 No.5 pp. 15-23.

Connole, Helen (1993) The Nature of Social Science Research.

Yates, Lyn (1997) Qualitative Studies in Education. 1997. Vol. 10. No. 4, 487-498. The Research Enterprise. In Issues and Methods in Research: Study Guide, H. Connole, B. Smith & R. Wiseman, Distance Education Centre. University of South Australia, Underdale, SA. Chapter 1.

Lather, Patti (1992) Critical Frames in Educational Research: Feminist and Post-Structural Perspectives. Theory Into Practice, Volume XXXI, Number 2, Spring 1992.

McTaggart, Robin (1991) Appraising Reports of Enquiry, in Getting Started in Arts Education Research. Geelong. Arts Ed Press.

Eisner, Elliot (1992) Curriculum Inquiry, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Spring, 1992), pp. 9-15 Published by: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto

Smith, Robert (1993) Potentials for Empowerment in Critical Education Research. Australian Educational Researcher Vol. 20, No. 2, 1993.

Blanche, Martin Terre and Durrheim, Kevin (1969) Histories of the Present. Research in Practice. Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968.

Banks, S., & Banks, A. (Eds.). (1998). Fiction and Social Research: By Ice or Fire. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.

Verstraete, Eva (2007) Flemish Teaching Resources Under The Magnifying Glass: In search of intercultural content. Centre for Diversity & Learning. Online http://www.steunpuntdiversiteitenleren.be/files/publicaties/teaching%20resources%20intercultural%20content.pdf.

UNESCO (2005) Guidelines on Intercultural Education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Online…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Wagner, Jon (1993) Ignorance in Educational Research Or, How Can you Not Know That? June/July 1993. Educational Researcher Vol. 22 No.5 pp. 15-23.

Connole, Helen (1993) The Nature of Social Science Research.

Yates, Lyn (1997) Qualitative Studies in Education. 1997. Vol. 10. No. 4, 487-498. The Research Enterprise. In Issues and Methods in Research: Study Guide, H. Connole, B. Smith & R. Wiseman, Distance Education Centre. University of South Australia, Underdale, SA. Chapter 1.

Lather, Patti (1992) Critical Frames in Educational Research: Feminist and Post-Structural Perspectives. Theory Into Practice, Volume XXXI, Number 2, Spring 1992.
Verstraete, Eva (2007) Flemish Teaching Resources Under The Magnifying Glass: In search of intercultural content. Centre for Diversity & Learning. Online http://www.steunpuntdiversiteitenleren.be/files/publicaties/teaching%20resources%20intercultural%20content.pdf.
UNESCO (2005) Guidelines on Intercultural Education. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Online available at: http://www.ifap.ru/library/book228.pdf
Finkbeiner, C., & Koplin, C. (2002, October). A cooperative approach for facilitating intercultural education. Reading Online, 6(3). Available: http://www.readingonline.org/newliteracies/lit_index.asp?HREF=finkbeiner/index.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Teaching English As a Second Language in
Words: 1675 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Proposal

Teaching English as a Second Language in Middle School The teaching of ESL (English as a second language as countered to as a language that is foreign) has usually been a specialized activity that is experienced by, if not preserved for, individuals that are conventionally mentioned to as native speakers that are native English. Since there are now a lot more nonnative language ESL teachers than there were before, the area

Teaching Reflective Commentary Portfolio Mathematics
Words: 4699 Length: 17 Document Type: Research Paper

Convergent questions seek one or more very specific correct answers, while divergent questions seek a wide variety of correct answers. Convergent questions apply to Bloom's lower levels of Knowledge, Comprehension, and Application and may include questions like "Define nutrition," "Explain the concept of investing," and "Solve for the value of X." Divergent questions apply to Bloom's higher levels of Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation; are generally open-ended; and foster student-centered discussion,

Method to Control Hazards from Carryon Luggage on Aircraft
Words: 680 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

The concepts hazard and danger are used differently with different meanings. Hazards are the circumstances that can lead to illness, injury, and property damage. However, danger is referred as a serious hazard that can lead to undesirable consequences. The warning is one of the strategies that can assist in controlling hazards. Warning consists of safety communication that organizations employ to provide instructions to minimize or avoid undesirable consequences from product-related

Method to Motivate Multigeneration Workforce
Words: 1295 Length: 15 Document Type: Essay

The multigenerational workforce in the United States presents a critical challenge for managers because each generation requires different expectations. Over the last few decades, the U.S. workforce has become so unique and diverse involving the mix of generation, gender, and ethnicity for the first time in the history of United States, workplace demographic spans four generations. The 2008 and 2009 U.S. economic crisis makes many older workers delaying retirement leading

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I Didn't Know
Words: 857 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I didn't know what state you are in so was unable to do state/district standards! Lesson Plan Age/Grade Range; Developmental Level(s): 7-8/2nd Grade; Below grade level Anticipated Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes Lesson Foundations Pre-assessment (including cognitive and noncognitive measures): All students are reading below grade level (5-7 months) as measured by standardized assessments and teacher observation Curricular Focus, Theme, or Subject Area: Reading: Fluency, word recognition, and comprehension State/District Standards: Learning Objectives: Students will develop

Branding New Service Dominant Logic
Words: 12522 Length: 50 Document Type: Dissertation

Branding in Service Markets Amp Aim And Objectives Themes for AMP Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Branding Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Categories and Themes Branding Theory Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Branding Concept Characteristics Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Sampling of Studies Reviewed Evolution of Branding Theory Evolution of Marketing Service-Brand-Relationship-Value Triangle Brand Identity, Position & Image Just as marketing increasingly influences most aspects of the consumer's lives, brands

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

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