1997/98 PCERII Funded Research Abstract
Research Title: Cultural Integration and Teaching
Research Team:
(University of Alberta) - Principal Investigator
Research Domain(s): Education
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Successful integration of an increasing number of immigrant students into Canadian society will depend directly on preparing prospective and practicing teachers for the diverse needs of students in heterogeneous classes.
This on-going, collaborative research project on ethno-cultural diversity is being conducted in the faculties of education at the Universities of Alberta, Regina, and Manitoba and in selected secondary schools in the three prairie cities of Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg.
Initial insights gained from questionnaire responses and interviews with secondary route student teachers in each of the three faculties of education about their experiences with and preparation for culturally-diverse classrooms have enabled the investigative team to pursue specific research questions related to teacher education and to the needs of ethno-culturally diverse communities.
Future in-depth research with student teachers will enable the research team to understand the kinds of educational programs and intervention strategies in teacher education which might be effective in promoting ethno-cultural understanding and integration. Individual school action research projects with students, teachers and parents of partnership schools will offer schools new strategies for responding to the needs of their culturally diverse communities.