Culturally responsive teaching in China: instructional strategy and teachers’ attitudes

The aim of this study was to investigate the manner in which teachers facilitate the pedagogical process within a culturally diverse student population. The study focused on two primary schools in China; one located in a more fully developed city in eastern China (Case A), while the other was in a less developed city in rural western China (Case B). This allowed the researchers to compare and analyse the different instructional practices by means of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The findings indicate that: the teachers in Case A demonstrated overall affirmative attitudes towards ethnic minority cultures, as well as towards the students belonging to those cultures. However, the teachers also chose not to mention the specific ethnic identities and cultural differences of the students during the course of their instruction in order to ensure equal treatment for everyone. This leads to a kind of ‘cultural blindness’ in the classroom. In Case B, opinions regarding minority cultures were more varied. Compared with the teachers in Case A, more teachers in Case B found minority cultures to be inferior to the dominant Han culture. Some teachers also, counter intuitively, were of the opinion that the minority cultures were even superior. At the instructional level, school leadership developed courses on local culture and ethnicity for the teaching staff. This was done for a variety of reasons. The strongest evidence to support culturally responsive teaching in Case A does not stem from teaching and learning demands but from the necessity to pursue characteristics that make them distinctive from other schools at the same time, Case B’s practice of culturally responsive teaching was strongly supported by the government and UNICEF. Teachers in both schools indicated that they had integrated their knowledge of ethnic minority groups into the subject matter when it was necessary.     

Traditional,Problem-Solving and Critical Theory: An Analysis of Horkheimer and Cox's Setting of the ‘Critical’ Divide

Abstract

Robert W. Cox's dictum that ‘(t)heory is for someone and for some purpose’ (emphasis in the original) is said to be the most-quoted line in International Relations (IR) theory. Yet whilst this spurred a revolution in critical thinking in IR, it echoed a far older conception of Critical Theory advanced by Max Horkheimer in the 1930s that claimed there is ‘no theory of society?…?that does not contain political motivations'. Both sentiments emphasize the relation between knowledge and human interests, and yet both formulate two distinct—though allied—ways of approaching ‘critical’ theorizing. In order to understand the similarities and differences in their approaches, this paper draws out three loci of difference between Cox and Horkheimer regarding the question of emancipation: (i) the epistemological relation between ‘critical’ and ‘Problem-Solving’ (Cox) or ‘Traditional Theory’ (Horkheimer); (ii) the emphasis placed on transformation and historical process; and (iii) the importance of intersubjectivity in how each approach emancipation. It is argued that by actively combining critical (dialectical) approaches across the social sciences, broadening human agency through civilizational dialogue, and retaining a commitment to emancipatory (and visionary) political futures based on human association, that Critical International Theory can maintain ongoing relevance in IR.     

创新人才培养视角下的高校教学管理制度研究

本文通过对高校教学管理创新与创新人才培养的关系及存在问题的分析,对高校教学管理创新的意义进行了深入的论述,并在此基础上,提出了具体的高校教学管理制度改革与创新的对策和措施。     

Theory of mind: are there wider implications from working with d/Deaf people?

An exploratory teaching approach was inspired by the communicative experiences of d/Deaf students in tertiary education. ‘Theory of Mind’ has been used by some to describe the capacity to appreciate that views of others may be different from our own, a concept that could provide a different way for students and educators to understand the barriers identified. An adapted assessment highlighted challenges faced and a communication group provided opportunities for extending personal understandings of social settings. Emerging ideas to inform practice and potential implications for inclusion have relevance for other contexts.     

基于“三性”整合的马克思主义理论教育教学的创新

马克思主义理论教育教学应以创新思想为指导,遵循历史整合性、现实整合性和实践整合性的＂三性＂整合路径。只有这样,马克思主义理论的教育教学效果才能得到质的提高。     

论大学教学中的文化意识与文化自觉

大学教师从文化视角出发研究和组织教学,形成文化意识和文化自觉,以文化传承的形式进行课堂教学,有助于激发学生学习课程的兴趣,明显提高教学效果。     

加强“多方沟通”,构建“以人为本”学生评教体系

本文指出学生评教应通过加强＂多方沟通＂,构建＂以人为本＂的学生评教体系,从而真正起到促进教师的专业发展和提高教学质量的作用。     

浅析生态化的外语教学环境

本文指出教育生态学是探讨和揭示教育生态系统的基本规律的学科,对于构建和谐、兼容的教学环境有着重要的意义。     

浅议高职英语听力教学中的衔接和连贯

本文试图从语篇的衔接和联贯的角度出发来帮助学生从语篇分析的角度提高听力理解能力。     

高校应用型计算机人才培养的实践教学研究——以琼州学院为例

以应用型人才培养为目标,说明了计算机课程实践环节的重要性,通过调整教学速度,达到增加学生学习兴趣的目的,通过对实践环节的重新设计,提高了学生的计算机基础实践能力,增加了校企合作环节,达到了培养的要求。