Bringing Memory Forward: Teachers' Engagements with Constructions of "Difference" in Teacher Literature Circles" explores ways in which teachers can recognize and address their constructions of "difference" individually and collectively. The study invited practicing teachers to discuss multicultural children's and young adult literature in monthly book clubs, write a literacy autobiography and engage in monthly interviews. Four literature circles were formed from the eighteen elementary and secondary teachers who elected to join; one circle was composed entirely of Aboriginal teachers. In all, twenty-one circles and seventy-two interviews occurred between January and June 2003. Departing from related studies, the dissertation combined and gave equal weight to the literature circle, literacy autobiography and the interviews instead of focusing solely on the literature discussion. This equal weighting was necessary because the primary purpose of the research was to find ways to involve teachers in reflecting on their constructions of "difference" such that the teachers would engage in that reflection for themselves. All three elements of the study worked together to "bring memory forward." In the literature circle, teachers discussed children's and young literature. The selections for the literature circle arose out of the teachers' writing and discussion of their literacy autobiographies such that literature familiar to teachers was juxtaposed with literature that was less familiar. In the interviews, teachers reflected on the relationship between the literature discussion and their literacy autobiographies, with the researcher "reflecting back" to teachers' their own words, prompting to elicit thinking and probing to encourage reflection on connections between literary response and lived experience. The title of the dissertation, "Bringing Memory Forward," draws attention to the role of teachers' memories and histories in multicultural literacy teacher education. The study begins from the hypothesis that memory, imagination and action are connected. Memory is explored through teachers' literacy history. Imagination is investigated through teachers' constructions of "difference" embedded in literary response. Action is what can follow for teachers from an awareness and recognition of the significance of memory and imagination to individual and cultural formation. Memory, imagination and action are admittedly broad concepts. In the study, they are made concrete through two related conceptualizations of the teacher: the teacher as learner and the teacher as "storied intellectual." As learners, teachers can become aware of their own "landscapes of learning" (Greene, 1978a) by asking questions such as: Where do my assumptions come from? Where can I go and who can I listen to in order to find out about perspectives other than my own? While teachers learn against the background of their own "landscapes," that landscape includes the teacher's broader role in society, which is to "transmit, critique and interpret" cultural knowledge (Mellouki & Gauthier, 2001, p. 1). The cultural knowledge most closely concerned with literacy is knowing which stories are important to tell. As the mediators of cultural knowledge, inservice teachers need to be in the forefront of societal changes. This conclusion challenges the current focus on preservice education. Moreover, initiatives at the school level are more likely to come from practicing teachers. However, if teachers feel as if they are being told what needs to be done or how to interact with one another or with texts, they will be less than forthcoming in their commitment. This study represents a departure from other studies and approaches in the area of multicultural literacy education by specifying which learning strategies and approaches teachers drew on in identifying their constructions of "difference," which settings supported their learning and why, and the role of the researcher in furthering teachers' learning processes. The study has implications for professional teacher development as well as preservice teacher education. It also contributes to scholarly literature in education on the role of memory in learning.

At a time when schools are becoming increasingly diverse in composition, this study explored five student teachers' perspectives on the changing role of teachers in a multicultural society. By using a constructivist framework and qualitative methodologies, interviews were conducted with student teachers in a Canadian elementary teacher education program. Two data sets consisting of one-on-one interviews were collected. The first set was collected after students had completed a thirteen week practicum. The second set was conducted after the student teachers had completed program requirements and had graduated from university with an education degree. Students' conceptualizations of the teacher's role in culturally diverse classrooms are described in six categories: bridging gaps in knowledge; being proactive as a role model; nurturing self-esteem and personal pride in heritage; focusing on care, respect, and acceptance; creating a safe and inclusive environment; resisting the lure of assimilation and the status quo. Life experiences which were influential in the formation of the students' conceptualizations are also described and organized by theme. The results of the study demonstrate that conceptualizations traversed a range of philosophical arguments outlined by theorists, and students' beliefs reflect key elements of conceptions portrayed in the approaches used to meet the needs of culturally diverse classrooms described in the literature. The findings underscore the need for multicultural theory in teacher education and for a pedagogical approach which encourages students to become reflective practitioners who are able to examine and critique personal beliefs in relation to the evolving needs of a multicultural society.

At a time when schools are becoming increasingly diverse in composition, this study explored five student teachers' perspectives on the changing role of teachers in a multicultural society. By using a constructivist framework and qualitative methodologies, interviews were conducted with student teachers in a Canadian elementary teacher education program. Two data sets consisting of one-on-one interviews were collected. The first set was collected after students had completed a thirteen week practicum. The second set was conducted after the student teachers had completed program requirements and had graduated from university with an education degree. Students' conceptualizations of the teacher's role in culturally diverse classrooms are described in six categories: bridging gaps in knowledge; being proactive as a role model; nurturing self-esteem and personal pride in heritage; focusing on care, respect, and acceptance; creating a safe and inclusive environment; resisting the lure of assimilation and the status quo. Life experiences which were influential in the formation of the students' conceptualizations are also described and organized by theme. The results of the study demonstrate that conceptualizations traversed a range of philosophical arguments outlined by theorists, and students' beliefs reflect key elements of conceptions portrayed in the approaches used to meet the needs of culturally diverse classrooms described in the literature. The findings underscore the need for multicultural theory in teacher education and for a pedagogical approach which encourages students to become reflective practitioners who are able to examine and critique personal beliefs in relation to the evolving needs of a multicultural society. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

This qualitative study examines the influence of culture on the teaching and learning process in an eastern Canadian college nursing program. The study reveals incongruency between the ideals of multiculturalism and teaching and learning processes. While teachers perceive they have the requisite skills to fulfill the content objectives using various pedagogical methods set out by the curriculum, they are not always able to promote successful achievement of these objectives in a multicultural student population. Moreover, students experience special learning difficulties in their interactions with teachers when the learning environment is unfamiliar to them and their own cultural identity and life values are not well understood. / The study concludes that the content of nursing education curricula needs to be broadened to include attention to cultural considerations. Most importantly, teachers practicing within multicultural student populations need training in cultural sensitivity and in developing culturally appropriate pedagogical approaches.

No description available.

This study focuses on Canadian literature on anti-racist education and, in particular, the body of literature which acknowledges a sense of conflict between the theories, goals, and strategies of anti-racism and multiculturalism. The purpose of the study is to investigate the ways in which this body of literature addresses the Canadian context, particularly in reference to the prevalence of multiculturalism in Canada's official policies and popular ideology. The study reveals the existence of two different conceptions of the conflict between anti-racist and multicultural education: irreconcilable conflict and inevitable compromise. Each of these conceptions fails to provide practical guidance in terms of what those visions look like or how they can be resolved. Closer analysis reveals that this literature as a whole seems to rely on a standard critique of multiculturalism, failing to substantiate it with illustrations from the Canadian context. In fact, the literature fails to engage with Canadian multiculturalism with the kind of complexity it warrants, addressing it, instead, as if it is a monolithic and static entity that can be dismissed superficially. Addressing that complexity in the future can only strengthen Canadian anti-racist research.

The purpose of this qualitative study is to understand how children within a Canadian Czech diasporic context, create and discover their Czech heritage language and culture through meaningful active participation in areas provided within the constructs of a non traditional setting such as a summer camp. Five contextual areas of the camp were identified and studied. The areas are: activities, food, camp counselors, staff dynamics and location. Braziel and Mannur (2003) and Rampton's (1990) aspects of "language inheritance" and "language affiliation" inform the analysis.

This study focuses on Canadian literature on anti-racist education and, in particular, the body of literature which acknowledges a sense of conflict between the theories, goals, and strategies of anti-racism and multiculturalism. The purpose of the study is to investigate the ways in which this body of literature addresses the Canadian context, particularly in reference to the prevalence of multiculturalism in Canada's official policies and popular ideology. The study reveals the existence of two different conceptions of the conflict between anti-racist and multicultural education: irreconcilable conflict and inevitable compromise. Each of these conceptions fails to provide practical guidance in terms of what those visions look like or how they can be resolved. Closer analysis reveals that this literature as a whole seems to rely on a standard critique of multiculturalism, failing to substantiate it with illustrations from the Canadian context. In fact, the literature fails to engage with Canadian multiculturalism with the kind of complexity it warrants, addressing it, instead, as if it is a monolithic and static entity that can be dismissed superficially. Addressing that complexity in the future can only strengthen Canadian anti-racist research. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

No description available.

Much debate on the conceptualization and implementation of anti-racist (AR) and multicultural (MC) education exists both in the literature and in practice. But often overlooked is the influence that students have in generating these initiatives against racism. This qualitative research draws on the experiences of ten student activists and leaders, and explores student-involved AR and MC programs in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto. Specifically, the roots of student involvement, their views of AR and MC, the factors which limit action within schools, and the sources of hope and discouragement will be documented. It is argued that school ethos, a hierarchy of student activities, bureaucracy, and power relations between adults and students all act to marginalize and affect the outcome of student programs which challenge racism. Genuine collaboration, and the influence and necessity of adult allies, are emphasized.