This study links the teaching practice of productive struggle, a psychological perspective of classroom activities, and the classroom microculture, an interactionist perspective that combines sociocultural and psychological considerations (Cobb & Yackel, 1996). The research question for this study is: "In what ways does a teacher…

This article analyzes the implementation of problem-based learning (PBL) in music teacher education. A qualitative action-research took place at the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IF), in Northeast Brazil, including Music Education students and selected staff. The pedagogical intervention was carried out by in-class…

Many higher education instructions have set forth explicit objectives to improve college students' intercultural competence. However, there currently exists considerable heterogeneity in terms of the extent and methods that higher education institutions apply in order to achieve this important goal. This praxis essay provides a framework to…

Courses: Undergraduate courses in interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, relational communication, computer-mediated communication (CMC), and intercultural communication, as well as basic communication courses. Objectives: The purpose of this activity is twofold: (1) to demonstrate how nonverbal communication shapes content and…

Nonverbal communication takes place in specific cultural contexts and is influenced by cultural norms. Cultural norms are "social rules for what certain types of people should and should not do" (Hall, 2005). Different cultures might have different norms for nonverbal behaviors in specific social, relational, and geographical contexts.…

Prospective teachers must be prepared for their role in providing equitable access for learning high quality mathematics. Therefore, it is imperative that mathematics teacher educators provide opportunities to develop an equity-centered orientation in teacher preparation courses. In this study, we begin to address this issue by identifying what…

This article offers information that will allow music educators to incorporate North Indian classical vocal music into a multicultural music education curriculum. Obstacles to teaching North Indian classical vocal music are acknowledged, including lack of familiarity with the cultural/structural elements and challenges in teaching ear training and…

There has been growing interest in linking the learning of Science with the literacies of Science and representations. Recent attention has been focused on learning theories that emphasise the socio-cultural and situated aspects of learning, and in particular the notion of learning as participation in a discourse community. This paper will…

Most teachers probably are unaware that there are various ways to access the enormous educational benefits of music. Even if budgeting concerns threaten a school to ax it's marching band, musical theater program, and after-school ukulele band, music does not have to banished from a teacher's classroom. Integrating music with other academic…

Discusses a classroom exercise designed to introduce the themes prevalent in a survey of American literature. The exercise explores issues familiar and applicable to the students' lives, such as cultural attitudes toward masculinity, femininity, community, and heroes, thus making the literature more relevant to student interests. (HTH)

A high school anthropology teacher guided students in creating a new culture with distinct elements of social control, economy, decision making, family, religion, space, time, status, language, tension outlets, rituals, symbols, property, idealogy, and manners. The activity included a field trip lasting several days during which the class lived…

Knowledge is created in the crucible of culture, and is mediated by the nature of nature. In the teaching of diverse students, teachers need to understand the process by which cultural paradigms, juxtaposed to the process of knowledge construction, may potentially create multiple realities for different students. When teaching diverse students,…

Although most business instructors acknowledge the desirability of having their students understand business subcultures, few of them develop such understanding in their classes. A nine-step instructional method was developed to remedy this situation. During step one the stage is set by discussing key culture-related concepts. During step two…

Outlines a method for conducting a rural cultural-landscape field project. Notes that this activity is especially useful with students whose life experiences are primarily urban. Describes a cemetery survey, a small town reconnaissance, and rural land and building survey. Provides examples of student generated materials. (KO)

Encouraging students to participate during class time is important to facilitate the learning process and encourage deep learning to take place. However, students with certain cultural and education backgrounds are often reluctant to participate in class discussion. This article provides some initial insight into the use of the Personal Response…