A study on how multi-cultural awareness training changes the cultural sensitivity of teachers

UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lorie J. Waggoner French (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
Advisor
Edward Caropreso

Abstract: This study examined and described how the value systems and beliefs of teachers (both beginning and veteran) regarding culturally diverse student populations (and their families) influence teachers performance in their role as multi-cultural communicators. The study also sought to determine what changes (if any) occur in teacher performance when the teacher/educators take part in a professional development seminar designed to aid in the process of Rethinking the Education of Culturally Diverse Student Populations. The assertion was that when teachers and administrators are exposed to effective cross-cultural communication techniques, their ability to communicate information to diverse student populations will improve. The findings of this study indicated that a paradigm shift or a worldview change might be needed for teachers and their multi-cultural students. Educators must realize that change is a process that comes in stages. Within multi-cultural classrooms, one must realize that students will be in different stages of the change process. This will require teachers to utilize a variety of cross-cultural bridge building tools simultaneously.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts.
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
Effective teaching--Cross-cultural studies, Intercultural communication--United States, Multicultural education, Multicultural education--Cross-cultural studies, Teachers--Training of--United States, Teaching--Methods
Subjects
Multicultural education -- Cross-cultural studies
Effective teaching -- Cross-cultural studies
Teaching -- Methods
Teachers -- Training of -- United States
Multicultural education
Intercultural communication -- United States

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