Culturally responsive design: Pacific peoples

I would like to thank Diana Ayling, who put together these suggestions and links to resources (the original from which the below has been adapted can be accessed here), which are a great start to thinking about the enhancement of existing courses, or the development of new ones, that are culturally responsive to Pacific students. Although she if referring to a tertiary context, you will still find heaps of great resources and ideas.

Diana starts by outlining the following guiding concepts:

• Knowledge: Understand the concepts, principles and terminology of Pacific pedagogy.
• Application: Design, facilitate, and assess within a Pacific pedagogy.
• Caring: Value Pacific perspectives, knowledge and culture within teaching and learning.
• Human Dimension: Be both independent and collaborative.
• Learning how to Learn: Access, evaluate and share resources to support Pacific pedagogy.
• Integration: Integrate Pacific knowledge, perspectives, and culture into student learning experiences.

A range of resources follow, along with thought-provoking questions designed to help you consider how you might go about integrating Pacific pedagogy into your practice and courses.

Knowledge

The world wide web has a wealth of materials to support teachers to become effective in supporting Pacific pedagogy. There is also a whole community on your door step, Pacific students, families, business and organisations are able to contribute to your knowledge and learning. Click HERE for an index to Pacific organisations.

Application

Design, facilitate and assess within a Pacific pedagogy. To learn more about pedagogy see the video below, "A new DNA of Pedagogy". To learn more about the unique nature of Pacific learners, check out the Ako Aotearoa website: http://bit.ly/byFe9X

1. How is your discipline interpreted in the Pacific?
2. What are they key concepts which are integrated by Pacific peoples?
3. What unique ideas and information from the Pacific informs your discipline?
4. How can this information and ideas be designed into your course?
5. What are the unique characteristics and needs of Pacific learners?

Caring

Value Pacific perspectives, knowledge and culture within teaching and learning:

• Learn more about Pacific perspectives from local newspapers and media outlets. ClickHERE for more.
• The Pacific Archive of Digital Data for Learning and Education. Click HERE for more.
• Pacific culture guide. Click HERE for more.

Human Dimension

Be both independent and collaborative. Teachers need support from a range of people to advance their practice in teaching and learning. 

Learning how to Learn

Access, evaluate and share resources to support Pacific pedagogy.

Images

All images were in Diana Ayling's original post.