EDTS 502 - Building Cultural Competency to Improve Instruction & Student Achievement (3)

Although our society’s dedication to serving diverse populations has increased dramatically in the last few decades, it can be easy to miss the subtle ways cultural background can impact students’ learning in your classroom. Whether it’s other students’ behavior or your own methods of communication, small differences in culture can confuse and alienate different populations of students.

In this course, you will learn strategies for how to teach with cultural competence so that all students receive active support in the classroom, thus limiting their risk of dropout. You’ll start by examining your own cultural background and how that impacts your thinking, and also learn how to assess students’ backgrounds, including identifying gifted and talented, special needs, and at-risk students. You will cultivate tools and resources for fostering an inclusive learning environment; communicating clearly both verbally and nonverbally; and working with families and support services to help students succeed.

By learning more about your own and others’ cultures, you’ll be able to handle even the most culturally sensitive scenarios to ensure a safe space for all students to learn and grow.