Unit 2: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Unit 2: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Contents
1 Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
2 What is Pedagogy & Why is it Important?
3 Understanding Different Pedagogies
4 Goals of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
This unit, you will dive into Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. This is an approach to teaching that recognizes the cultural backgrounds, experiences, and identities of students as assets to be integrated into the curriculum and instructional practices. Grounded in the belief that education should empower and affirm the diverse identities of learners, culturally relevant pedagogy seeks to foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and academic success by making connections. The various frameworks that will soon be introduced emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships, creating inclusive learning environments, and challenging inequities through critical consciousness and advocacy for social justice in education.
What is Pedagogy? Why is it Important?
According to the University of Minnesota, “pedagogy is the combination of teaching methods (what instructors do), learning activities (what instructors ask their students to do), and learning assessments (the assignments, projects, or tasks that measure student learning).” Pedagogy is meant to produce meaningful learning among students while utilizing the levels of Blooms Taxonomy.
Pedagogy is an important concept in education because it...
- Helps educators to understand the best practices to employ in their unique classroom setting.
- Assists educators in getting to know their students individually and see what practices best fit their learning preferences.
- Assists students in better grasping the information they’re being given
- Guide teachers in tailoring their lessons to meet the individual needs of students.
- Provide engaging and reflective instruction for students.
Why is understanding different pedagogies important in teaching?
According to the California Department of Education, “Culturally Relevant Pedagogy is a theoretical model that focuses on multiple aspects of student achievement and supports students to uphold their cultural identities. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy also calls for students to develop critical perspectives that challenge societal inequalities.” It is important to understand different pedagogies for a variety of reasons:
- Helps us meet the needs of diverse students
- Promotes student engagement
- Encourages reflective practices for both students and educators
- Supports creativity and innovation
What are the Goals of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy?
“Over two decades ago, Gloria Ladson-Billings introduced the term culturally relevant pedagogy to describe a form of teaching that calls for engaging learners whose experiences and cultures are traditionally excluded from mainstream settings. Based on her research of effective teachers of African American students, Ladson-Billings proposed three goals on which these teachers’ practices were grounded.” (New America)
The three goals of culturally relevant pedagogy are as follows...
- Yield academic success
- Assist students in developing positive cultural identities while simultaneously helping them achieve their academic goals
- Support students' ability to critique social inequalities, both past and present.
These three goals ultimately support the bigger picture, which is to guide students in thinking socially, emotionally and politically.
Please continue to Lesson 3: Ladson-Billings Pedagogy
References:
- Culturally responsive teaching. New America. (n.d.-a). https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/culturally-responsive-teaching/understanding-culturally-responsive-teaching
- Pedagogy - diversifying your teaching methods, learning activities, and assignments. Pedagogy - Diversifying Your Teaching Methods, Learning Activities, and Assignments | Center for Educational Innovation. (n.d.). https://cei.umn.edu/teaching-resources/inclusive-teaching-predominantly-white-institution/pedagogy-diversifying-your-teaching-methods-learning-activities-and-assignments