Teaching Content That Is More Culturally and Locally Relevant Through The Use Of Technology

How can teachers helpmake school a morerelevant experience forthe children at Abe ScatchMemorial School?How can technologysupport culturally andlocally relevant teaching?

How do we create learning experiences for our students to make sure they :

“have involvement in global issues” (Angeconeb, August 24, 2010)

“are proficient walking in both worlds” (Angeconeb, August 24, 2010)

What Do Others Have To Say?:

• “Identity is critical” (Richard Morris, August 24, 2010)

• “Academic readiness not just about academics – social as well – who they are and feel good about themselves” (Richard Morris, August 24, 2010)

Findings from a 2-year research project:

Data was obtained from a 2year research projectconducted by Angela Rickfordand reported in her article“The Effect of CulturalCongruence and Higher OrderQuestioning on the ReadingEnjoyment andComprehension of EthnicMinority Students” (2001).

“Although there were no significantdifferences between the control andexperimental groups with regard to

self-concept, the sixth-gradestudents in the experimentalgroup who used culturallyrelevant materials showedsignificantly higher scores onthe Metropolitan ReadingTest, and school attendancewas also significantly higherfor this group.” (Angela Rickford,

2001)

From: The Path to Education in a Canadian Aboriginal Context (2003)

“Issues of identity go hand-inhand with those of educationalachievement, and indeed theretention of heritage and a strongcultural identity has beenidentified as being the singlemost important factor inpredicting the academicachievement of Native Americans(Deyhle, 1989; Huffman, Sill &Brokenleg, 1986; Richardson &Blanchet-Cohen, 2000).”(Brade,Duncan, Sokal, 2003)

Article: Culturally Relevant Pedagogy: First Nations Education In Canada (1997)

In: The Canadian Journal of Native Studies

“Research on the educationof First Nations and otherminority group students hasalso shown schools whichrespect and support a child’sculture demonstratessignificantly betteroutcomes in educatingthose students (Billings, 1995;Hamme, 1996; McCaleb,1994)”. (Maina, 1997, p. 294)

“Schools have the responsibility of validating both traditional and contemporary cultures of their students.” (Maina, 1997, p. 295)

“It is important that First Nations children learn about the ways in which the knowledge and practices of their culture have enriched the overall culture of the contemporary Canadian society.” (Maina, 1997, p. 307)

What Can Teachers Do?

Wawatay News, Windspeaker

Various literacy activities

Tipi Tales

Grandfather Teachings

What Else?Photo Story 3

And?

• YouTube• Knet• VoiceThreads• Comic Life and/or Comic Book

Creator(a separate paper will be available with morespecific information, such as links)