Cultural Competence in the Classroom

Nikhil Goyal is a successful high school student who, like many students
his age, hates school. But unlike most students his age, Nikhil wrote a
speech about it and delivered it to a global audience via a TEDX Youth
<http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Why-Kids-Hate-School-Nikhil-Goy>

 (2012) presentation. The central theme of the presentation is relevance
and, specifically, how schools often lack relevance to the lives of their
learners. The majority of Nikhil’s story focuses on Nick Perez, a boy who
was marginalized in school and medicated to be able to adhere to the
parameters of thought and behavior expected for participation in the
school. As you view the presentation, you will learn how Nick became
disillusioned by the lack of relevancy and interest in his studies and how
his disenfranchisement eventually led him to drop out of school.

In this assignment, you will reflect on the story of Nick Perez and analyze
it based on what might have happened differently if Nick’s education
targeted the learning of 21st century skills through culturally relevant
learning opportunities. Additionally, you will recommend a culturally
relevant learning experience that might have been able to meet Nick’s needs
in high school. Review the Instructor Guidance for this week for additional
information and use the Ladson-Billing (1995) resource and Chapter 4 of
Wardle (2013) to define a culturally relevant learning experience; apply
this framework to the creation of solutions. Then, create your formal
written assignment to meet the content and written communication
expectations stated below.

*Content Expectations*

   – Video Analysis (3 points): Address the following five guiding
   statements:

    1. Describe a culturally relevant learning experience in which Nick
      could have participated within his early high school years that may have
      been able to successfully meet his academic and personal needs.
      2. Using Nick’s interest in computers as a form of his cultural
      identity, describe the cultural competencies that were most likely taught
      and/or applied within Nick’s school (i.e., not the computer camp, but the
      school system that Nick eventually left).
      3. Examine the 4C skills (a) creativity and innovation, (b) critical
      thinking and problem solving, and (c) communication and
collaboration that
      are presented in Learning and Innovations Skills
      <http://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework/60-learning-and-innovation-skills>

      . Determine which of these skills you perceive are most likely
      relevant to Nick’s current position as a programmer in an
advertising firm
      and which of these skills you perceive are not adequately addressed in
      typical classroom environments today.
      4. Evaluate the relationship between the cultural competencies
      identified above in item two and the learning and innovation skills
      described in item three, and then consider whether cultural competencies
      are represented in the 21st century skills. Describe in what ways.
      5. Explain how the acquisition of learning and innovation skills
      through culturally relevant learning opportunities can lead to greater
      student success in the classroom and in the real world.

   – Cultural Competencies References (1 point): Reference cultural
   competencies in your response to the Video Analysis guiding statements.
   Include examples using at least one of the following four characteristics:

    1. Awareness of one’s own cultural worldview (including biases)
      2. Knowledge of different cultural practices and worldviews
      3. Positive attitudes and open-mindedness toward cultural differences
      4. Ability to work successfully with others from different cultures

   – Culturally Relevant Learning References (1 point): Reference
   culturally relevant instruction in your response to the Video Analysis
   guiding statements. Reflect strategies that align with this approach and
   include at least one of the following nine areas:

    1. Maximizing academic success through relevant instructional
      experiences
      2. Addressing cultural competence through reinforcing students’
      cultural integrity
      3. Involving students in the construction of knowledge
      4. Building on students’ interests and linguistic resources
      5. Tapping home and community resources
      6. Understanding students’ cultural knowledge
      7. Using interactive and constructivist teaching strategies
      8. Examining the curriculum from multiple perspectives
      9. Promoting critical consciousness through opportunities to
      challenge predominant elements of the students’ social norms

   – 21st Century Skills Framework (1 point): Reference 21st century skills
   in your response to the Video Analysis Questions to reflect the framework
   developed by the Partnership for 21st Century Learning
   <http://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework>

   .

*Written Communication Expectations*

   – Page Requirement (.5 points): Submit three  pages, not
   including the title and reference pages.
   – APA Formatting (.5 points): Format your paper according to APA style
   as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
   – Syntax and Mechanics (.5 points): Display meticulous comprehension and
   organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar.
   – Source Requirement (.5 points): Reference at least one scholarl