the light in their eyes presentation
DESCRIPTION
Sonya Nieto's book, "The Light in Their Eyes" gives a clear perspective on multicultural education. It is an easy to read, enjoyable and understandable, focusing on the social context of learning. Nieto, suggests that “three issues need to be emphasized concerning the links among language, culture, and learning”.TRANSCRIPT
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
The Light in Their Eyes
By Sonya Nieto
Urban Education, 716
UW-MilwaukeeDr. Chapman
Fall 2007
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Learning is More Than:
• Course content• Classroom
experience• Test scores• Final grades
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Learning Is:
• Actively constructed
• Developed on experience
• Creating & recreating ideas
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Contradiction in Schools
• Transmitted by teachers, yet actively constructed by students
• Distrust teachers & students can construct meaning
• “Teaching basics” under-serves students, assumes they can’t do more
• Severe with high concentrations of poverty, non-majority students
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Capital
• Experiences give advantages in learning
• Schools serve some students
• Fail to recognize experiences of other students
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Teachers Need To:
• Build on what students have
• Not lament what students don’t have
• Not penalize students
• Realize all students can learn
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Differences
• Influence learning• Constantly change• Are not barriers to
learning• Are opportunities
to reach out
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Context of Learning
• Social, political, economic factors influence learning
• Affect teacher perceptions
• What & how teachers teach
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Cultural Sensitivity
• Negative messages devalue some, often non-majority students
• Difficult to identify with school
• Students de-emphasize school achievement, protect self-esteem
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Zone of Proximal Development
• Schools must make learning accessible to students
• Teacher’s actions influence whether and to what extent students learn
• All children learn given opportunities for appropriate interactions
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Inequities in Schools
• Intentional or unintentional, doesn’t matter
• Results are same• Students respond
to high expectations, caring, respect
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Culture & Learning
• Student identification, maintenance of native culture is good
• Teacher is cultural accommodator, mediator
• Focus on differences in isolation of broader context does not increase learning
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Transforming Teachers
• Learn about students
• Identify with them• Build on strengths• Challenge displays
of privilege, inherent biases
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
School Reform
• Anti-racist, anti-bias• All students have talents,
strengths• Those close to students must
be meaningfully involved• High expectations & standards • Empowering & just
William Breitsprecher, Gloria Gaston, Theresa JamesUrban Education, 2007, Dr. Chapman
Multicultural Education
• Framework for rethinking schools
• Recognize all students as capable, worthy
• Give hope, affirmation