Learning Styles and the African American Student

1
Learning Styles and the African American Student

• It is the teachers responsibility to assist
  ethnic minority students in their endeavors, and
  to help them become effective learners

2
African American Students and Culture

• Education There are two overriding
  considerations that influence the ways African
  Americans think about education.
• One is racism and the history of slavery.
• The other is the desirability of Afrocentricism
  as a foundation in the schools

• Afrocentricism is a school experience rooted in
  African American history and experiences.
• Culture Both the African American church and
  family have been highly influential in learning
  styles.

3
Four Characteristics of African American learners

• Social/Affective people-oriented, social
  interaction is crucial, social learning is
  common.
• Harmonious interdependence is respected and
  encouraged, knowledge is sought for practical and
  relevant purposes,.

• Expressive creativity creative, adaptive,
  stylistic, intuitive, and oral expression.
• Nonverbal nonverbal communication is important
  (body language), movement and rhythm are vital.

4
Field-sensitive

• African American children tend to be field
  sensitive in there learning. Ex tend to be
  global in their views, react better to rational
  academic material, and perform in accordance to
  the teachers confidence or doubts.
• The opposite of a field sensitive children are
  field independent children are typically the of
  the majority. Ex view parts of a whole, excel in
  analytic tasks, react better to material that is
  impersonal, and tend to be self directed.

5
How teachers prepare for a diverse classroom...

• Teachers need to meet the needs of an
  increasingly diverse population.
• Local schools need to provide information on
  different cultures such as the African American
  culture.
• Learning styles need to be discussed and applied
  in the classroom

• Teachers need to adapt their teaching techniques
  to multicultural learners.
• Activities such as exploring different cultures
  or countries needs to be included to help
  students understand multicultural differences in
  the classroom.
• Teachers should be aware of personal beliefs and
  bias concerning their students.

6
Conclusion

• Change for African American learners will require
  the reconstructioning of the entire school system
  including educational organization and
  curriculum. With the inclusion of diverse
  teaching techniques ethnic minority participation
  will hopefully gain support.