Understanding the Process of Contextualization

• In Event: Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: A Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Framework for Examining Reading, Writing, and Language Learning

Abstract

The literature on culture and education points to the importance of using students’ cultural knowledge in the teaching and learning process. While this theory has expanded in the last decades, the implementation continues to lag far behind. This disparity points to the lack of tools available to assist teachers with implementation. By examining the practice of six teachers this pedagogical strategy was articulated into a three-step process. The findings indicate that the role of the teacher in guiding students through tasks that require cognitive processing has been missing from our understanding of this strategy. This study advances the practice of using culture in teaching by operationalizing how to use students’ cultural experiences to make academic connections.

Author

• Tasha R. Wyatt, University of Hawaii - Manoa