Multicultural Education Online Examples An Introduction to Multicultural Internet Activities

Ronald G. Helms Wright State University College of Education and Human Services

There is much to investigate in Multicultural education by engaging students in selected WWW activities. This section is intended to provide Web-based examples of teaching and learning about Multiculturalism in the Pre-K – 16 classroom. The following examples provide URL’s, which demonstrate practical applications of Internet resources.

We will proceed by locating some WWW activity sites. List selected Internet sites, which may be of value to your study of Multiculturalism. These sites should be age appropriate for the student of Multiculturalism. Yes, it is appropriate to visit the author’s selected URL’s.

Multiculturalism consists of several subcategories. In a later section the authors cite selected URL’s for specific subcategories of Multiculturalism. Use a search engine to locate three activity based WWW sites in the selected subcategories. Use a search engine to locate three activity based WWW sites in the subcategory of Age, Religion, Class, Exceptionalities, Gender, Inclusion, Language, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Teaching Resources

Cite three activities from each site: Age, Religion, Class, Exceptionalities, Gender, Inclusion, Language, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Teaching Resources

Selected Multicultural Internet Activities

free! The Freedom Forum Online This site is an interactive daily newsletter, which discusses issues related to freedom of religion and other first amendment rights.

Click on the FIRST AMENDMENT Cite three current issues involving the FIRST AMENDMENT Cite the central issue in the all three cases Summarize your position in all three cases

Click on the NEWSROOM DIVERSITY Cite three current issues involving from NEWSROOM DIVERSITY Cite the central issue in the all three cases Summarize your position in all three cases

The Nacerima

Educators and Multicultural educators have considered the study of the Nacerima as a classic example of introductory activities and literature for decades. The authors have used this example in public school teaching for over three decades.

Have students read aloud the article,the Nacerima. At what point do students begin to understand the article? What is the central hypothesis of this article? How might this article be considered exemplary to Multiculturalism? What are three other articles that provide similar examples to the Nacerima?

The Girl Child This site focuses on providing information about discrimination against girls at all ages of development.

1. Take the Girl Child Interactive Quiz. 2. Cite five factors, which influence parental behavior from this quiz. 3. Were there any issues, which conflicted with your beliefs? 4. Click on the button, Give us your opinion, and your opinion

Special Education Resources on the Internet (SERI)

This megasite provides interconnections to general information on disabilities as well as on specific disabilities. Resources are provided to location legal information, associations and national professional, support, advocacy and discussion groups, as well as products and services. Informative resources for parents and educators and assistance in inclusion and transition are also provided.

Click on Selected Books related to Special Education. Cite six books, which have special interest to you. Summarize the content of all six books. A search engine may assist with this review.

Select any six subcategories of special education resources and then cite six URL’s of interest for each of the six categories.

Explore Linguistics! This site is devoted to the study of language and linguistics.

1. Define the concept of sociolinguistics. 2. How does the film, What Women Want relate to the concept of sociolinguistics? 3. What evidence supports the hypothesis that men and women speak differently? 4. Cite five current books, which explore the differences in gender and linguistics

Working Definition of Gender Equity in Education

This website offers a working definition of gender equity in education. These activities are intended to explore an individual’s gender identity as related to expectations of others and the influences of the media.

Click on the Publications Section. Cite six books, which have special interest to you. Summarize the contents of all six books. A search engine may assist with this review.

Select any six subcategories of equity resources and then cite six URL’s of interest for each of the six categories.

Gender Equity in Education: Additional Resources Multiple links to organizations and resources supporting equity in education for females and other underrepresented groups.

1. Define the concept, Title IX 2. Why was this federal legislation necessary? 3. In what manner is Title IX being upheld or ignored in your educational institution? 4. Cite five other resources form this Web site that you would be interested in investigating.

Men’s Issues Links An electronic link to Websites on men’s issues, such as: dispelling gender myths, inequities in the judicial against men, etc. Also provides links to men’s magazines and organizations.

Click on “Why Boys Hide Their Emotions”. This is an ABC news transcript List five issues, which concern you from this transcript. What is your reaction to this transcript?

Click on the Divorce Reform Page. Cite five ways in which divorce differs in the fifty states. Click on Model legislative provisions on pre-marital education or training What reaction do you have to this proposed legislation?

Finding Common Ground

A website that the authors suggest will be “most useful to those school leaders and parents who understand the vital importance of achieving new Solutions to old debates about religion and public education”. The site provides rationale, resources, and guidelines for including the discussion of religion in public school classrooms, particularly in World History Classes and US. History. It also includes commentary on religious holidays in public schools, when and how they should be discussed; it raises the topic of singing sacred music and the use of religious symbols in the classroom.

1. Click on Character Education in the Public Schools. 2. List Ten Reasons for Character Education 3. Which of these reasons would you concur and why? 4. Which of these reasons would you dispute and why?

Rationale and Guidelines for Teaching about Religion

The National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) states that knowledge about religion is a character-istic of an educated person. They maintain that it is absolutely necessary for understanding and living in a world of diversity. NCSS provides guidelines and suggestion for how this study can take place in the public school system.

Why is study about religion important in the public school curriculum? Summarize the Religious Liberty clauses of the First Amendment to the Constitution, which provide the civic framework for teaching about religion in the public school

Explain the quote, “The school's approach to religion is academic, not devotional.” How can role-playing and outside speakers promote the study about religion in the public school curriculum?

Women of NASA

The Women of NASA resource was developed to encourage more young women to inspire their interest and provide support to pursue careers in math, science and technology. Specific ideas to include Women of NASA on teaching are at:

1. Click on teaching tips 2. Click on Women of NASA Occupations Chat Lesson 3. List and download the “supplies” necessary for this lesson 4. Why was this an effective means of teaching?

The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences.

1. Select five profiles of African American Scientists. 2. Relate important contributions of each of these five scientists

Black Inventors /bhinvent/index.htm A website dedicated to the many contributions of African-American inventors and their inventions.

1. Select five profiles of African American Inventors. 2. Relate important contributions of each of these five inventors