Module 4

Module 4: Culture and Learning 

How does culture influence learning?

How might culture-based learning support all students?

• Identify how culture influences learning

• Explore cultural identity

• Explore culture-based and ʻāina-based learning

• Examine Nā Honua Mauli Ola - Cultural Pathways 

• Analyze various online resources relating to culture-based learning 

    The student population you will teach is diverse in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, exceptionality, religion and social class. At the same time it should be noted that these categorizations are social constructs. As teachers we need to be aware that connections to these groups have strong influences in creating their "funds of knowledge", or what they bring to the classroom as a result of membership to these groups. The influences are real. At any one time a student will be influenced by more than one identification. Their behavior will be influenced by the socialization that takes place within each group of which he or she is a member. 

    Consequently, educators should take great care in getting to know each f their students on a deeper level that takes into account each child’s individual uniqueness. Along with these differences are learning style differences. This week we will look at our own identities and differences. As a teacher how will you address the multiple needs of all your diverse students? How can we differentiate our curriculum to make it meaningful and relevant for all?  And how can we incorporate culture and community to strengthen our curriculum?

    As the TED talk describes above, it is the responsibility of educators and administrators to make learning meaningful and relevant, and to use the cultural and community resources to strengthen understanding and meaning within our curriculum.

1.  Read Article: Hawaiian Cultural Influence on Learning

• • What does the article say about the importance of incorporating culture into the curriculum?

  • What is place-based education and how might you use this in your future teaching?

2.  Read Article:  Considerations in Teaching Culturally Diverse Students

• • What are some considerations for teachers of diverse students?

  • What strategies or helpful hints shared in the article might you use in your future teaching?

3.  View Video Clip below (Culture Matters) and consider these questions:

• How do teachers and schools incorporate culture into teaching and learning?

• How might this approach engage learners?

• What does this video clip say about culturally relevant teaching and test scores?

 4.  Reflect on the place you are from.  In Hawaiian, we call this "One Hanau" or sands of birth.  This affectionate term used for birthplace shows the connection between 'aina and kanaka, or land and humans.  

Explore the Hawaiian sense of place and lāhui through one of these essays in the series titled:  Exploring Cultural Identity.  When you click on the image below you will find a list of essays that discuss cultural identity in different ways.  Pick one (or more) to read and start thinking about your own cultural identity as you complete the moduleʻs assignment.

 5.  Read: Nā Honua Mauli Ola - Cultural Pathways and consider how you might incorporate these into your future teaching.

• • How might these 9 pathways be applicable in your future teaching?

  • Keep in mind we will revisit this when we do the Hawaiian Cultural Standards Analysis

Whatʻs Due this Module:

• Cultural Identity Map

Cultural differences do not need to lead to conflict. They can be viewed as boundaries or borders. When cultural differences are viewed as simply differences, they can be seen as boundaries that can be crossed. On the other hand, when cultural differences take on political meaning they can become borders that are much more difficult and sometimes impossible to bridge. Culture is learned either explicitly or implicitly in a variety of settings such as family and community. It has both visible (e.g. dress, food) and invisible (values, beliefs) characteristics. In multicultural education we stress the importance of both these qualities.

• • Leeward CC - Online Learning Resources

  • Leeward CC- Writing Center

  • Leeward CC- Learning Resource Center

Varied Approaches to Multicultural Education