How Can I Best Support Learning of Students with Different Cultural Backgrounds
Conclusion/Implications/Reflections
Aneta Mrozinska Vlavianos
Originally I set out to investigate how I could best support the earning of students
with different cultural backgrounds. Based on the literature review I knew about the
importance of multicultural awareness and the impact it has on children`s development.
I wanted to enrich my understanding by directly observing and interacting with
my students, and at the same time reflect on what I was experiencing.
Through my research and the literature I have read, I have convinced myself about the importance of multicultural awareness. I found that during the celebration of different cultures in our classroom, Kendall`s primary goals of multicultural education were met. The students learned to respect others` cultures and values as well as their own. They learned to function successfully in a multicultural setting. Many of them developed a positive self-esteem (or self-concept) that being different doesn`t mean being worse than others. The children also experienced both their differences as culturally diverse people and their similarities as human beings in positive way (Kendall, 1983).
The study made me realize that as an educator I have to be aware of different
cultural styles, and not make generalizations about families based on their ethnic
identification. I was able to achieve this awareness by reading and exploring one culture
at a time as well as using parents` willingness to share about culture.
This study also has reminded me of the importance of reflecting on my own
practice to develop a more effective learning environment and teaching practice.
What I have learned during conducting this research is highly significant because
I understood my responsibility to promote multicultural awareness and appreciation of
diversity among young children in order for them to learn about themselves and their
world.
Martha Andrew`s website impressed me very much and encouraged me to look
deeper at my own inquiring process. Observing Martha`s practice as well as working on
my research study, I realized that I need to constantly inquire about my practice and use
whatever I learn from it to develop and refine my work.
Just like Martha, I use my initial plan as a draft that I revise in response to what I
learn about students and their progress. While I was getting ready to start my research
study I tried to gain as much information as I could about particular cultures represented
in my class. But, I came to the conclusion that I do not need to have all the answers.
I became a co-investigator with my students. I was learning with them and about them
and their parents.
During the process of my study I learned how to be a facilitator with the goal of getting the students to learn how to acquire information, answer questions, collect evidence to make judgments and form their own opinions, and then generate still other questions.