|
> Teaching & Learning Resources
Diversity
Inclusion of new groups not traditionally found at the
university has led to an increased interest and awareness of multicultural
understanding. Teaching in a diverse classroom presents a unique
and significant challenge. This means more than merely addressing
issues of diversity and multiculturalism. Teachers must be aware
of how we relate to students, how our students relate to us, and how students
relate to one another. Diversity issues are an important component
of any class, regardless of the teaching style, format, or discipline;
every class offers the opportunity to increase awareness of diversity and
multicultural issues.
Cultural Sensitivity To be effective with
American Indian students, you must be attuned to their different learning
styles and cultural backgrounds. Recently a group of MSU Indian students
in the American Indian Research Opportunities program participated in a
discussion about their experiences at MSU. They offer several suggestions
for those teaching Native American students.
Learning Styles Howard Gardner is best known
as the father of "multiple intelligences", the idea that human intelligence
is much more diverse and complex than previous single intelligence models
would suggest. This paper serves to introduce the reader to the work of
Howard Gardner and the work of authors who have expanded his ideas into
classroom applications. In addition, it will provide several
examples of how one instructor has made use of multiple intelligences teaching
at MSU-Bozeman.
Ideological Conflict Democracy in the classroom
can mean many things. Here it means creating a learning environment
in which students are participants, in which all positions are equally
respected without necessarily being equally valued, and where the evaluation
of varying positions takes place through critical, informed and knowledgeable
dialogue. However, it should be remembered that all pedagogy takes
place within an institutional setting and that the institution also has
a responsibility to both protect the academic freedom that is the foundation
of higher education, and assure that students are treated with respect
in the classroom.
Disabilities The Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
the first national civil rights legislation ever enacted for persons with
disabilities, mandated that recipients of federal funds accommodate the
needs of the disabled. MSU, as a recipient of federal money, was among
hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide required under Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act to make its facilities and programs accessible
to persons with disabilities. There is no one correct way to work with
students with disabilities. But hopefully the tips and strategies
from our Web-site can offer a starting point.
Student Advocacy
|
