10 Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies
Brief Abstract
Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) strategies for success in all students in higher education are the topic of this session. Successful CRT strategies designed by faculty engaging with working adults in university programs to welcome and connect with students and promote student success are the session's focus.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Culturally responsive teaching is relevant to promote equity in higher education. All persons have a right to inclusive and equitable education. The overall goal of CRT is to promote equitable education for all. Therefore, knowledgeable, and skillful educators that practice culturally responsive teaching to promote success in a diverse student population are essential.
The presenters share their "Top Ten" tips for culturally responsive teaching during this session. The tips are approaches and actions to promote success in diverse student groups. Presenters describe strategies and perspectives, use narrative pedagogy, and operationalization of rich examples to engage the audience. During the session, a case study with guided questions prompts attendees to engage by sharing their input.
Teaching is a personal and lifelong process. Culturally responsive teaching requires an educator's lifelong learning endeavor to develop their craft continuously. By listening to others and sharing, educators can develop their abilities to promote success in all students. Awareness is a critical aspect of building knowledge. Strategies include being aware of one's own culture and learning about other cultures. Being aware is a fundamental and endowing attribute of the CRT journey.
A summary of the selected CRT strategies discussed is in the following. The presenters share techniques for creating a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive environment. Fostering a sense of belonging and developing professional relationships with students is an essential component of CRT. A helpful strategy is to empower students with a "help—I am in a bind plan" at the start of the course so that should they feel stressed or overloaded, they have a plan to get through the situation. Educators should incorporate inclusion, equity, and cultural content and use inclusive teaching/learning materials during courses. The use of diverse teaching strategies is best able to reach various learning styles. Open Education Resources (OERs) are a way to help students without the financial means to purchase expensive textbooks and software programs. Attendees will learn "how" three educators operationalize culturally responsive strategies to promote success in all learners.
After active participation in this session, attendees will:
- Describe strategies to use as a part of culturally responsive teaching practice.
- Explain ways to promote student success in higher education.