The Four Approaches to Multicultural Education
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Introduction:
The Four Approaches to Multicultural Education focuses on the ways educators can use or attempt to create a multicultural environment. The four approaches are: the contributions approach, the additive approach, the transformation approach, and the social action approach.
This display could be removed after Black History Month is over.
The Contributions Approach: This approach sees the least amount of contributions for multicultural education. This category falls under the "heroic figures" or "ethnic holiday's" and how it plays a role in education. Schools will often only go as far as celebrate holidays and historic figures and not explore more complex ideas of multiculturalism in education. One example could be celebrating Black History Month. Where schools only look at historic Black figures within that February time frame.
The Additive Approach: Often times, curriculum could be changed for the benefits of students. The additive approach allows for themes, concepts, and ideas of multicultural education being added without changing the overall basic structure of the curriculum. One example could be "the Westward Movement" from the perspective of the Native Americans.
This video could be a great example for the additive approach when learning about the Westward Movement and Manifest Destiny.
The Transformation Approach: Unlike the additive approach, the transformation approach allows for real changes to be made throughout the curriculum. This brings in real changes to the lessons and allows for students to explore the concepts and ideas of multiculturalism in more depth with limited restrictions. One example could be about the Thanksgiving from the Native American's perspective or the Civil War and America's history of enslavement.
Showing educational videos can brinf fourth possibe room for academic discussons on multicultural topics.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students call for gun regulations after the mass shooting which occurred in Parkland Florida
The Social Action Approach: Once students are familiar with the transformative approach they are able to take what they have learned and bring social change to the world around them. This approach can give students the idea that they can make an important impact onto the community around them. An example of the social action approach would be if students spoke out on social issues and took action by either calling or writing to the state senators.
The Importance of The Four Approaches to Multicultural Education: For educators, it is apparent that diversity and multiculturalism is a part of our everyday lives in todays society and it is our job as teachers to prepare students to tackle any social issues they may come across. Schools may wish to keep multicultural education separate from politics and policies which could result in misguiding examples of multiculturalism (Nieto & Bode 2018). The four approaches can bring in conventions about the sociopolitical standpoints on education and allows for not only students but teachers to explore curriculum in a multicultural perspective.
In conclusion, I never heard of these four approaches before and I plan on using this strategy within my own future classroom. It is safe to say that I had very little knowledge of how to create a multicultural learning environment before EDSC 340. However, I know have many great resources and strategies for my future classroom.
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