Dr. Laura Anderson, Dr. Reba Barkley, Dr. JoAnn Higginbotham, Shane BrownACA 2011 Summit XIV

October 14, 2011

Our Story – Voices of Diversity

The 21st Century Teacher in Challenging Times

EDUC299 –Teaching Diverse Learners

History of preparing students to experience diversity

Field Experiences

Tutoring Experiences

Interactions with Diverse Populations

Socialization PaperSources of cultural

identitySocializing agents

that transmit cultureField observation

reflection and impact on socialization

Tutoring reflection and impact on socialization

Sources of Cultural Identity

5

Socializing Agents that Transmit Culture

6

Weebly ProjectChildren’s Literature

Teacher resources and subject level activitiesReading/Language

ArtsMathScienceSocial Studies

Online resources

Religious belief systemDescriptionChallengesInstructional strategies

Multicultural Resources Assignment

Diverse City

Diversity Family Structure

Cross Cultural Connection

Alaska

Israel

Thailand

Mexico

57 pre-service teachers 3 sections of EDUC 299- Teaching Diverse

Learners3 different instructors

83% femaleAdministered at end of course15 question survey

5 demographic8 Likert scale2 open-ended response

Data/Survey

N=57 None Little Some Substantial

1. How much experience did you have working with diverse learners prior to taking this course?

11% 35% 40% 14%

5. After taking this course how much experience do you now have working with diverse learners?

-- 4% 56% 40%

N=57 StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

2. Prior to taking this course you were comfortable working with diverse learners.

-- 7% 30% 42% 21%

6. After taking this course are you comfortable working with diverse learners?

-- -- 5% 53% 42%

N=57 StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

3. Prior to this course you would have been willing to teach in a school with a large number of diverse learners.

-- 21% 26% 32% 21%

7. After having taken this course would you be willing to teach in a school with a large number of diverse learners?

*only 56 responses

-- -- 12% 47% 39%

N=57 StronglyDisagree

Disagree Neutral Agree StronglyAgree

4. Prior to taking this course you were empathetic towards the learning needs of diverse learners.

-- 4% 21% 54% 21%

8. After taking this course are you more empathetic towards the learning needs of diverse learners?

*only 56 responses

-- -- 4% 42% 53%

Figure 1 Students’ pre and post levels of experience

working with diverse learners.

Figure 2 Students’ pre and post levels of comfort

working with diverse learners.

Figure 3 Students’ pre and post willingness to work

with diverse learners.

Figure 4 Students’ pre and post levels of empathy

towards diverse learners.

Discussion

Dramatic increase in

percentages for every question

Small % in the pre-

experience or disagree to zero % in

post-experience

or disagree

Provided great feedback for

course evaluation purposes;

students were pleased with

the course and its

requirements

Diverse learners

course and field

experiences will have a

positive effect on the attitudes of pre-service

teachers

Implications

Self-Awareness and Reflection of

Personal Socialization

Diversity Course Evaluation:

Accessibility and Curriculum Focus

Pedagogy: Field Experiences

Staffing in Urban Schools

Effectiveness of Diversity Course

“It has changed my attitude because it helped me realize that I actually had prejudices and then I could do my best to get rid of those inaccurate prejudices.”

“This class has given me more confidenceworking with diverse learners. Prior to taking the course I had little experience working with diverse learners, and actually wanted to, but was scared that I would not be equipped to handle it. This course has given me that opportunity to see what it would be like, and really changed my perception of what I thought.”

“This class, with the fieldtrips, helped to open my eyes more to the learning needs of the many diverse learners out there today.”

Student Feedback