Using the power of stories to engage students from under-represented populations
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Using the power of stories to engage students from under-
represented populations
Barbara Leigh SmithThe Evergreen State College
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Education Crisis
• Stagnant college attendance rates
• Increasing diversity in population
• Shortage of students from under represented groups in STEM fields
• Mismatch between learning theory on what works & much practice
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)
The Perfect Storm
(ETS)
•Substantial disparities in skill levels -reading and math
•Seismic economic changes -widening wage gap
•Sweeping demographic shifts - less education, lower skills
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Context for Native American Students
• More than 500 recognized tribes
• Many signed treaties with US
• Dramatic changes in US policies towards American Indians
• Ambivalence towards education
• Most under-represented and behind
• Now in an era of self determination & cultural revitalization
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Key Features of Our Work
• Washington has 29 federally recognized tribes• Evergreen long history of serving NA• We produce & field test interdisciplinary Native
Cases with teaching notes. 50+ cases available • Partner Institutions-TESC, NWIC, SKC, GHC• Annual 4 day summer institute for faculty• One day workshops & presentations to colleges
and high schools• Very connected to related reform efforts
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Why Native Cases?
• Fill a void in the curriculum• Correct inaccuracies that lead to
misunderstanding • Expand literature written from a tribal
perspective• Meet tribal needs in era of community
revitalization and self-determination• Vehicle to share information between tribes on
common dilemmas & solutions
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Powerful approaches to learning
• Active, collaborative learning well validated by research
• Develops various skills
• Recognizes student knowledge
• Dissolves myth of silent “minority” students
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What topics?
• Native Advisory Board helped identify topics
• Side benefit of creating connections
• Current emphasis on science & social science cases
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Our Case Topics
• Sovereignty/treaty rights• Intergovernmental
relations• Education• Leadership• Economic development• Cultural
preservation/renewal• Indian enrollment &
Indian identity
• Climate change• Sustainability• Salmon• Energy• Water/forestry• Housing• Land • Health-diabetes,
alcoholism, substance abuse, suicide
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Faculty views of impact of cases (N=42. Smith 2010)
• Positive peer-to-peer relations-74%• Better grasp of practical applications-74%• Stronger critical thinking skills-84%• Strengthen communication skills-79%• Gain confidence working in groups-68%• Cases positively impact my teaching
effectiveness-54%• Compatibility with my teaching style-98%• Students find the format challenging-63%
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Faculty Views of Native Cases Impact
(Smith 2010)
• Native cases enhance scientific curriculum for Native students – 74% Agree
• Students feel curriculum is more culturally relevant – 80% Agree
• Students gain understanding of important issues in Indian Country – 90% Agree
• Native cases raise awareness of Non-Native students –82% Agree
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What Our Students Say (N=55)
• The cases addressed important issues in my community - 95%
• I learned new things from students in my group – 91%
• Cases improve critical thinking skills - 100%• Cases increased my understanding of
important concepts such as citizenship, sovereignty, and identity - 100%
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Ways to Become Involved
• Send faculty to our Summer Institute
• Host a one day workshop
• Use our cases (http://www.evergreen.edu/tribal/cases)
• Write cases
• Contact us: [email protected]
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References• Educational Testing Service. (2007) America’s Perfect Storm: Three
Forces Changing our Nation’s Future• Enduring Legacies Native Cases Initiative at
www.evergreen.edu/tribal/cases• Lumina Foundation (2010). A Stronger Nation through Education• National Science Board (2010). Preparing the Next Generation of
STEM Innovators• President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2010).
Report to the President: Prepare and Inspire K-12 Education in STEM for America’s Future
• Seymour and Hewitt, (1997) Talking about Leaving: Why Undergraduates Leave the Sciences.