Socio-Cultural Perspectives - Coursework Example

Socio – Cultural Perspectives Education in the 21st century has become more of a Global issue rather than being confined to the room or school campus. In lieu of such a perspective, drastic advancement has been made in field of education both nationally as well as internationally. Educationists and researchers all around the world have strived hard through the years to bring about effective theories and strategies in order to facilitate and impact upon people’s attachment and change their attitude not only towards education but also to the educational system. However, a few of these strategies are implemented in some places and are effectively made use of, whereas certain areas could still be improved upon. Hence we are going to take a look at least of three such strategies that have not been put to effective use due to reasons such as Syllabus, Curricullum or just lack of support from either the staff or parents.etc. (own words after reading) Social Skills Training In the year 2000, about 20% of the school-age population spoke a language at home, other than English since they had one foreign born parent (U.S Census Bureau, 2000) and since this is the prevailing situation, it is inevitable that a Social Skills Training is crucial to the curriculum. If a child lacks social skills, more often than naught it becomes a social failure. As rightly pointed out that a child who is grossly deficient in social skills will be seriously handicapped in acquiring many of the complex behavioral repertoires necessary for effective social functioning… such negative experiences would be expected to reinforce interpersonal avoidance responses which in turn further impede the development of competencies that are socially mediated (O’Connor, 1969, p.15). Eck (2001, p.4) calls the United States the “most religiously diverse nation on the Earth.” Hence it become imperative to include social Skills Training into the Educational Programs considering the diversity found in the language, religious and ethnic outlook of all the students. These findings strongly suggest the importance of effective treatment programs for children deficient in social skills (Cowen, Gargner & Zax, 1967). In order to initiate and propagate the skills of communication, it is important for students to inculcate from a young age, through teacher-intervention and guidance, the skills of problem-solving, self-management, decision-making and peer-interactions. Children with poor social skills react negatively when confronted by unexpected reactions to their changed behaviors. These rejections lead to further alienation, since the child gets lesser opportunities to practice these skills in natural conditions, and thus has a reduced chance of skill assimilation. For example, poor eye contact, short speech duration, inaudible responses, and inability to make responses during baseline assessment (Eisler, Miller & Hersen, 1973). Therefore the Multicultural Educational approach promotes the transformation of the educational process to reflect the ideals of democracy in a pluralistic society (Sleeter, 1996). Schools can impart social skills training through reinforcement and rewarding of positive actions and social graces, appreciating classroom behaviors which may include listening, attending to a task, seeking attention through proper channels, teaching better ways to manage frustration and anger and most importantly, imparting sound advice on how to resolve conflict, which includes abstaining from physical contact by seeking the help of a teacher. Twemlow et al. (1999) after an exhaustive research suggest that the intervention related changes in peer aggression are possible and may have benefits for the overall academic mission of schools. Elementary-aged students show a distinct interference with learning process when they are targeted by peers and also exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety which acts as a barrier to concentration and completion of the task. Twemlow et al. (1999) stated that the Creating A Peaceful School Learning Environment (CAPSLE) uses a four pronged approach to identify and address the issue of school bullying. The first component of the program is to create a positive climate campaign through a shift in language and thinking of students and staff. The second step is to help teachers to understand and rectify the root cause of the problem than to merely punish it. The third step involves a physical education program incorporating relaxation, self-defense and role-play. The fourth step is to have a peer-mentorship or adult mentorship program to help students through a role model who assists them in incorporation of language skill to fend off physical aggression Behavior Based Interventions Another important interventional strategy which boosts attachment to school or workplace is based on the behavior of individuals. The Functional Analysis of Behavior is a handy tool to determine the behavior of people before actual interventions (Rozycki, 2000). This theory rests on the premise that persistence behavior has some purpose and that each person is a unique individual. Thus, in order to bring about a change in behavior pattern, it is important to understand reasons underlying the behavior. According to Bronfenbrenner (1979) ecology of human development stated that a child’s development hinges on the environment in which he grows. Thus the micro-system of a child refers to his immediate, limited environment that includes his parents, caregivers and school. Encouragement and good nurturing provided by them helps a child grow up in the right way and the child’s temperament is molded by their reactions. The meso-system, which is the next level depends upon the coherent working of the members of the micro-system. Any agreement or disagreement about the child’s development among such members impacts the growth of the child. The exo-system includes the people and places, such as the parent’s workplace and neighborhood, whose positive impacts on the child are significant. The macro-system refers to the remotest set of individuals like the government, culture or economy. Bronfenbrenner and Evans (2000) described it as “a point of convergence among the disciplines of the biological, psychological, and social sciences as they bear on the evolution of the individual in society.” However, even though Bronfenbrenner and Evans’ theory of the micro, meso, exo and the macro systems makes really good sense, yet it has not been effectively made use of due to lack of knowledge and experience of parents and educators of how these systems work. (own words after reading) The adolescent ages are the most formative years of a child, dubbed “psychosocial moratorium” (Erikson, 1963). During these years, the child can try on various roles, rejecting those unfavorable to his temperament. A child at this stage of development looks forward to achievement and feelings of inferiority are often “paralyzed ”( Erikson, 1963 ) The onus for success in an individual depends wholly on his own choice and each person must stick to those aspects , allowing others to seek their goals in ways they deem fit. In Glasser (1998) Choice Theory says “Students should be made aware of their strengths instead of focusing on what others should do to help them in achieving their goals. This infers that students who do not succeed academically are only manifesting their bad relationships with their facilitators. Teachers also need to inculcate in students the desire to do their best and provide them assistance in all possible ways (William Glasser, 1998). Restructuring the Academic Curricullum We are well aware that education in the 21st century is multi-cultural in nature and its goal is not only to impart knowledge but to prepare the students for cross- cultural interactions in a wider perspective. Bringing about such skills and attitudes would encourage students to have a more democratic outlook in life. Banks and Banks (2004) stated that multi–cultural education is described as a “meta-discipline.” Therefore to make a shift in this paradigm, it is inevitable that the radical change has to be brought about by both educators and administrators. In restructuring the curriculum for a more multi- cultural education, many different dimensions are being looked at for making use of content from different diverse groups in the teaching of different skills and concepts, helping students understand how the various disciplines are made use of in the education process, to help students to cultivate positive attitudes and behavior to help them have better interpersonal relationships when they move out into society, also making modifications in the teaching strategies to suit the students coming from different cultural, social and racial backgrounds. Though research is being carried out towards a more humanistic approach towards the Academic curriculum, yet researchers like Winett and Winkler state that “as currently practiced behavior modification has done very little to change the deplorable state of our schools.”(K. Damiel O’Leary, (1972) Motivation from teachers brings about positive changes in learning patterns and a curriculum which provides for experiences leading to self growth and development is a welcome change. Hickling et al (2003) reported that the educational system in Australia suffers from incompetent handling of diversity and fails to incorporate and address the homogeneity of the student population. Instead of reforming them through a humane approach, these students are branded as slow achievers and put into special programs. Learners need to uncover their latent self-actualization which leads to aesthetic and moral upliftment. The teacher as a facilitator and resourcer pushes the students forward through a combination of imaginative teaching, challenging situations and an atmosphere of mutual trust (McNeill, 2005). Pros and Cons for Implementing these 3 Strategies The functional analysis theory suffers from the drawback that most of the times emphasis is on the behavior of the child in exclusion to interaction between peer groups. Humanists, who lay emphasis on emotions, like sensitivity training, can cause more damage than benefit. The use of techniques such as deep breathing is often dismissed as “new age practices”. An anecdote about a child in kindergarten using deep breathing to shut out her mother’s disciplining lessons is a case in point (The Human Curriculum,pp.19). Parents are often times concerned about the efficacy of open decision making and how it may alter a child’s values and attitudes to life. The touch and feel exercises which humanists engage children in maybe construed as overtly sensual if not sexual. (The Human Curriculum, pp.20) In the case of using strict disciplinary methods the consequences maybe that the child has a negative bias towards the school as well as school personnel and often lead to manifestations of aggressive behavior and mental health problems. In the case of adolescents this may initiate depression, suicide and abusive behavior (Addressing Barriers to Learning,Vol. 2 (2), Spring 1997). Conclusion Education today is not what it used to be a decade ago. Educationists and researchers all over the world have come to understand that educational needs have to change according to the changing times. At present a multi-cultural approach towards education is gaining popularity as educators around the world have understood that it is not only knowledge that has to be imparted but also another factor that is equally important is training in social skills from a very young age. This type of approach caters to preparing the child to handle things in a society in a more confident and stress free manner. An approach such as the Multi- cultural approach is what is gaining widespread recognition and acceptance since it prepares the child for life. Instead of just imparting knowledge, this approach tends to look at the child from different angles catering to the all round development of the child and all the while preparing the child to meet all the challenges he comes to face in his life. Dear Georgina, 1. The three strategies that you have not seen used (or used effectively) are: 1. Social Skills Training - Different types of social skills training - Focus on 2 or 3 that has not been used effectively 2. Behaviour Based Interventions - *Functional Analysis of Behaviour (FAB) - *Glasser Choice Theory - Include Erikson’s Theory of Adolescence - Ecological System (Bronfenbrenner) 3. Academic Curriculum Restructuring 2. Discuss about the pro and cons for implementing these strategies into education system or workplace. -> I didn’t see any pro and cons for implementing these strategies in education system or workplace. You only purely describe what social skills are; behaviours based interventions and academic restructuring. - You need to mention in each strategies 1. Define the strategies 2. How these strategies have not been used/ not being used effectively 3. Pro & Cons of implementing them into the education systems/workplace - These 3 strategies must be inter-link and not in serial form. INTEGRATIVE not descriptive. 3. Conclusion is the overall essay and your point of views. Which currently is kind of short and not solid enough. 1. Banks, J.A., Banks, C.A.M (2004) Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education (2nd ed.) San Francisco: Jossey- Bass. 2. Banks, J.A., (2004b) Multicultural Education: Historical Development, dimensions and practice. In J.A Banks & C.A.M Banks (Eds.) Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education (2nd ed.., pp.3 – 29) San Francisco: Jossey- Bass. -> What is 2004b? Journals: I also need the author full name as the following referring was wrong. 1. Bornstein M.R, A S Bellack, and M Hersen. J. Appl Behav Anal. (1977) Summer; 10(2): 183–195. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183. - What is "doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183" 2. Bronfenbrenner, Urie. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 3. www.usa.usembassy.de/etexts/soc/backtoschool.pdf -> Not able to open this pdf file. Can you send me ? 4. Cowen, Gargner and Zax, 1967 Appl Behav Anal. (1977) Summer; 10(2): 183–195. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183. -> I need the author full name as well as Title of Journals? 5. O’Connor, (1969), Appl Behav Anal. (1977) Summer; 10(2): 183–195. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183. p.15 -> I need Author Full name & Title of Journals 6. Eck, D. L., (2001) A New Religious America. How a Christian Country has become the World’s most Religiously Diverse Nation. New York: Harper SanFrancisco. - I need Author Full name & Title of Journals 7. Eisler, Miller and Hersen, (1973) J. Appl Behav Anal. (1977) Summer; 10(2): 183–195. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183. - I need Author full name & Tile of Journals. 8. Erik Erikson (1963) Development - Child & Adolescent Development.. http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=7930&cn=28  this one is not a journal article, is a web reference. Can’t. Must be journals articles. 9. Glasser, William (1998). Choice Theory -A New Psychology of Personal Freedom. Quodlibet Journal, 5(2-3), -> I need journal volume and page number. 10. Hickling-Hudson, A. & Ahlquist, R. (2003). Contesting the Curriculum in the Schooling of Indigenous Children in Australia and the United States: From Eurocentrism to Culturally Powerful Pedagogies. Comparative Education Review. 47(1): pgs. 64-89. -> I need to have all names and Title of Journal 11. John D. McNeill (2005) Book. Contemporary Curriculum: In Thought and Action, 6th Edition. 384 pages. -> I need author full name, title, Journal title, page what to what. K. Daniel O’ Leary (1972) Journal of Applied Behavior. Behavior modification in the classroom: a rejoinder to Winett and Winkler. 5(4): pgs. 505–511. 12. Hanley, M. S. (1999). The Scope for Multicultural Education. New Horizons for Learning. – I need the author full name, journal title and journal of title, volumn, pages 13. (The Human Curriculum,pp.19) -> is not in references page 14. Addressing Barriers to Learning,Vol. 2 (2), Spring 1997 - is not in references page References Banks, J.A., Banks, C.A.M. (2004). Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education. (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Banks, J. A. (2004b). Multicultural Education: Historical Development, dimensions and practice. San Francisco: Jossey- Bass. Bornstein, M. R., Bellack, A. S., & Hersen. J. M. (1997). Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Summer, 10(2), pgs. 183 –195. I need the Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page numbers. Bronfenbrenner, U., & Evans, G. W. (2000). Developmental science in the 21st century: Emerging questions, theoretical models, research designs and empirical findings. Social Development, 9, pgs. 115 -125. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Census Bureau Facts for Features (online) www.usa.usembassy.de/etexts/soc/backtoschool.pdf I need this article. This can’t be open. Wrong citation too Cowen, Gargner & Zax, (1967). Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Summer, 10(2), Pgs. 183–195. I need all the authors’ full names, Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page numbers. OConnor, Robert D. Modification of social withdrawal through symbolic modeling. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 1969 2(1): pgs.15–22.Spring; [PubMed] I need all the authors’ full names, Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number (issue number), page numbers. Eck, Diana. L., (2001). Book. A New Religious America. How a Christian Country has become the World’s most Religiously Diverse Nation. New York: Harper SanFrancisco. 1st Edition. Pgs. 404. I need the author full name Rozycki, E. G. (2000). The Functional Analysis of Behavior: The educational theory. Summer, 25(3), pgs. 278-302. Eisler, Miller & Hersen, (1973) Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. (1977) Summer; 10(2): pgs.183–195. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183. I need all the authors’ full names, title of the articles, title of journals, volume number(issue number), page number What is “doi: 10.1901/jaba.1977.10-183.”( doi. Is the Digital Object Identifier – it is a special number that is given…if you don’t need it just remove it. Erik Erikson (1963) Development - Child & Adolescent Development.. http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=7930&cn=28 this one cannot use. Must be journals article( Just remove it…already the essay is too long) Glasser, William (1998). Choice Theory -A New Psychology of Personal Freedom. Quodlibet Journal, vol. 5 pgs. 2-3, I need all the authors’ full names, title of the articles, title of journals, volume number(issue number), page number(William Glasser is the author’s full name, title is A New…. Hickling-Hudson, A. & Ahlquist, R. (2003). Contesting the Curriculum in the Schooling of Indigenous Children in Australia and the United States: From Eurocentrism to Culturally Powerful Pedagogies. Comparative Education Review. 47(1): pgs. 64-89. I need all author full names (These are the author’s names as it was given- I did not cut it short.) McNeill, J. D. (2005). Contemporary Curriculum: In thought and action. (6th. ed.). 384 pages. - I need all the authors’ full names, title of the articles, title of journals, volume number(issue number), page number Twemlow, S. W., Sacco, F. C., & Twemlow, S. W. (1999). Creating a peaceful school learning environment: A training manual for elementary schools. Topeka, KS: T & S Publishing Group. Sleeter, C. E. (1996). Multicultural education as social activism. Albany: State University of New York Press. 12. Hanley, M. S. (1999). The Scope for Multicultural Education. New Horizons for Learning. – I need the author full name, journal title and journal of title, volumn, pages 13. (The Human Curriculum,pp.19) -> is not in references page 14. Addressing Barriers to Learning,Vol. 2 (2), Spring 1997 - is not in references page Read More