Implications for Learning in School
For K-12 grade teachers, the body of research examining the impact of culture on all aspects of learning provides valuable insights to advance equity pedagogy and multicultural education. Previous chapters have explored this research to show how an individual's values, beliefs, interests, and identities fundamentally impact learning and are shaped by the learner's experiences at home and in the world.
This research demonstrates that culture fundamentally shapes all aspects of learning, from the biological to the community in which students grow. In addition, different cognitive processes are supported by different types of learning. Furthermore, simple accumulation of knowledge is insufficient for approaching novel problems or tackling sophisticated learning tasks. This section draws on the research found in prior chapters to present 4 implications for organizing schools and classrooms.
Awareness
Attention to the cultural nature of learning is critical to the quality of every learner's educational experience
Approach
How learning in different academic content areas requires different approaches that take into account both general findings about learning and subject-specific differences.
Tools
Instructional approaches that both engage and empower learners.
Assessment
How understanding of the processes of learning can be brought to bear on the design of educational assessment.
