McDonald, Helen (2003) Education for cultural diversity in yet-to-be-imagined times: Local contexts, global concepts. In: UNSPECIFIED. From: International Council on Education for Teaching World Assembly, 30 Nov - 03 Dec 2003, Melbourne. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Preparing teachers to work in culturally diverse schools in ways that are inclusive and equitable has been a growing feature of many teacher education programs in the late 20th century. However, increasing globalisation is contributing to increasing diversity, complexity and inequality within classrooms and schools and the communities they serve. The changing and complex nature of this cultural diversity provides particular pedagogical challenges for those of us working in this area of teacher education. In this paper I argue that preparing to teach in these yet-to-be-imagined times requires the development of sophisticated understanding of concepts such as culture, identity and ‘race’, concepts which can also challenge pre-service teachers’ understandings of their own identities and social positions. This paper goes to on to describe the specific strategies being developed within one teacher education program to prepare pre-service teachers for yet-to-be-imagined cultural diversity. However, I also argue that this pedagogy must recognise the immediacy of the local context in which pre-service teachers have developed their understandings of both diversity and equity and also help them position themselves as professional decision makers who can act to increase inclusion and equity in their future classrooms, schools and communities.

Item ID:	952
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Keywords:	Teacher education, Cultural diversity
Date Deposited:	01 Nov 2006
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION @ 0%
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