Technology and Culturally Responsive Practices

What are Culturally Responsive Practices?

There are instructional moves that educators can make to address the principles of culturally-responsive teaching:

Gary Howard's culturally-responsive practices framework, adopted by ASD

Instructional Models for Technology and CRP

Blended Learning

This is a teaching methodology that attempts to combine the best of online instruction with the best of face-to-face instruction.

Typically, this involves a variety of activities happening simultaneously in class: online, self-paced work; collaborative work (online or offline); and direct instruction/support with the teacher.

Which principles of CRP does Blended Learning address?

3- Students who enjoy technology, and students who prefer not to share aloud in class can have their voice heard more easily

4 - Feedback can be instant and frequent; the teacher can interact one-on-one with all students through technology, or face-to-face; students can progress at their own pace

5 - Students have a in their learning activity or objective, and the teacher is more available for individualised support.

7 - Students can collaborate or work independently; task design incorporates students' individual strengths.

Universally-Designed Learning

This is a framework that aims to increase access for all learners through multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression during teaching and learning.

The goal of this is to have expert learners who are purposeful, motivated, resourceful, knowledgeable, strategic, and goal-directed.

Which principles of CRP does UDL address?

1 - Students' learning preferences are valued through multiple means engagement, representation, and action and expression

3 - Students are included in the learning environment by giving them opportunities to use their cultural strengths

4 - Students are provided the means to take charge of their learning

5 - Students are provided with options in how they access information and demonstrate learning

7 - Students have opportunities within tasks for collaboration and choice

To see blended learning in action, watch this video from Edutopia:

To hear more about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), watch this video:

Apps and Tech Tools

There are a variety of apps and tools that can help you make your instruction more culturally-responsive. However, no app is a "magic bullet" and they must be used with purpose.

To find the right app to fit your lesson and/or students, reach out to your Tech Coach who can help you design more technology-rich instruction.

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