Intercultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom
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Transcript of Intercultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom
Intercultural Diversity and Inclusion in the Classroom
Kevin Dolan – Adjunct Math Department
SLCC Adjunct Faculty Academy 2012-2013
Definitions
Multicultural Education • Values cultural differences • Affirms the pluralism that students and teachers reflect. • Challenges all forms of discrimination in schools and societyDiversity• Sum of the ways that people are both alike and different. • The dimensions of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender,
sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical ability, class, and immigration status.
Inclusion• How people of all backgrounds are involved, their
perspectives valued, their needs understood
• Denver Public Schools; 2003; http://diversity.dpsk12.org/definitions
Education and InclusionSLCC’s Mission
“Salt Lake Community College is . . . committed to
serving the broader community. . . Its mission is
to provide quality higher education and lifelong
learning to people of diverse cultures, abilities, and
ages. . .”-SLCC mission statement; 2012
Education and InclusionSLCC’s Mission
Our students’ diversity includes
• Ethnic & Int’l Background• Age• Work Experience• Education• Gender
Can we address all of these at once?
Minimizing Divisive Impact
We must address these issues
“Although cultural differences can never be completely
abrogated . . . we do in fact know major conditions which
will reduce the divisive impact of cultural differences”
Roland Tharp; Systemic Reform: Perspectives on Personalizing Education--Sept. 1994
How Do We Accomplish our Mission?
• Be aware of Diversity of all types• Share SLCC Vision, Mission, & Learning
Outcomes
• Learn about your students’ background• Create a learning environment that
minimizes cultural differences• Assess our teaching by
talking to students
Kaizen – Continuous Improvement
And then keep checking our progress . . . With every class!
Quotes on Diversity
“It is never too late to give up your prejudices”
― Henry David Thoreau
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” –Steven R. Covey
“How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”
― Charles de Gaulle