Poster #51 - Perceptions of the Learning Environment, Psychological Needs, and Openness to Multicultural Instruction: A Preliminary Model

• In Event: 64.090 - MTCC Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: 64.090-8 - Role of Teachers, Learning Environments, Parents, and Peers in Motivational Processes

Abstract

The need for cultural competence remains strong within the U.S. In response, many universities have implemented required diversity courses or have embedded multi-cultural objectives within existing courses. What remains unknown are students’ perceptions of these efforts. Data was collected from 405 students enrolled in “diversity” courses to test a model of the relationship between student perceptions of their learning environment and openness to multi-cultural instruction. Specifically, that student perceptions of the learning environment will be positively related to basic psychological need satisfaction, the value placed on social perspective-taking, and transformational learning experiences. Further, that need satisfaction and social perspective-taking will each predict openness to multi-cultural instruction which, in turn, will predict transformational learning. Results support the proposed model.

Authors

• Sarah R. Gordon, Arkansas Tech University

• Mike Yough, Oklahoma State University

• Jam Khojasteh, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa

• Susan Mathew, Langston University

• Andrea Haken, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

• Emily A Finney, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater