Lisa Delpit's argues that society demands categorical divisions between students. These are mainly based upon culture and ability, and the two are most likely intertwined. There are many different approaches to teaching, especially to children of a different race or culture than what we know. There is no right or wrong way, but as a teacher it is their job to figure out the best way for the student. Some cultures like African Americans need more discipline or authority from the teacher, while others like Whites do not. For example, she mentions that a black student seemed to understand directions when directly given to him. It also says that sometimes, students do not understand directions if they are given in a less aggressive or liaise fair way, so many teachers are not seen as important or in charge of the classroom. Some teachers are set in their ways and believe they know best, but it may be they are uncomfortable to change and try new methods. I believe her main point is that every student requires something different from their instructor, and not every student fits neatly into society's categories. In order to be a good educator, they must be willing to learn and adapt to what is needed from them.
This article's argument and examples of the differences between teaching white students and those of Alaskan heritage and African American descent reminded me of the discussion about white privilege we had and the reading from McIntosh. From my own experiences, I have dealt with a few teachers who were stern like the black students liked, and more of those who were more relaxed like the black students seemed to dislike. As a white student, I have a choice of who my teachers are and how they teach, and they do not have to adjust any of their teaching methods based on my race or culture. Also, I do not have to learn an entirely different/new way to speak and write in order to get a job, get into college, or fit into society like the native Alaskan students. But the fact that this is still an issue, really bothers me. I know there are students who come from different backgrounds but I do not think they should have to be subjugated to only receive their education in a certain way, as many teachers are apparently taught to do.
Below I have posted an introduction to Tim Wise's documentary entitled "White Like Me". The full video is also posted on my blog. The video is about his experiences as an educator and racial equality activist. He believes that the racial bias in which we view others, and when we don't recognize that, not only do we do an injustice to people of color, but we end up doing damage to white people as well. http://youtu.be/ESbFwsZLCe4
So I pose this question to the class, what part of your education (college, high school, or even younger) do you now see as a privilege? Did your teachers have to change their methods of teaching to fit with your background? Do you even think teachers should change their methods to meet the needs of the few, or just teach to meet the needs of the many? And finally, have our classrooms been damaged by certain ways of teaching, or to better put it is one way better than another?
I understand in the reading that she says certain families have a way of telling their kids how to do things and this affected how they learned in school. By being told to do something and how other children are asked or not as aggressively told and this in turn affects how a student perceives a teacher as in charge and of importance or not. I have a hard time wrapping my head around those two children being from different cultural groups specifically because I was always directly told what to do and I have usually always had teachers who have told me exactly what to do. Maybe I'm missing a point here.
ReplyDeleteI do not think the ability to learn and listen connect with your race or culture. If that was the case it would prove stereotypes right. I do not believe a persons race or culture affects there intellect and ability to learn. I do not see the correlation there. So I think teachers should be focused on each students style of learning, independent of their race or culture.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to looking at the Wise video. He gets it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is more important to teach based off of the student's learning style rather than something like race. However, I do believe that it is important to accept the races and cultures within the classroom and use it as a lesson of cultural awareness and acceptance
ReplyDeleteI feel like im missing something here... I mean i really am understanding white privilege and the segregation of schools but i don't understand how you can group one race together and say "this whole group...this is the best way they learn" and "this whole group this is the way they speak english" and why is that ok?
ReplyDeleteThinking back on my education, I know that all of it, especially high school and college, was a privilege. Where I went to school, we did not really have any diversity, and therefore these I have not had many of these experiences based on culture in the classroom. However, based on ability alone, i know that many teachers are set in one way of teaching and explaining with no desire to change. This is so detrimental and discouraging to many different kinds of learners.
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