The Power of a Shared Language: Critical Relatability and Student Engagement

• In Event: 21.059 - Issues in Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research

Abstract

Research shows that students report positive learning outcomes when student’s find both the content and teaching styles relatable (Huff-Lohmeier, 2017). However research is minimal that explicates a framework specifically for critical relatability. Ethnic Studies is examined in this study as a potential intervention to provide relatable content and teaching methodology as a means to support student engagement and student learning for Black, Latinx and southeast Asian students. This paper gathers student focus group interviews, student surveys and teacher interviews to identify a relationship between teaching methodology, content and critical relatability. Evidence from findings support that students related to both the course content and teaching methodology which correlated with high levels of engagement and student learning.

Authors

• Ramon Stephens, University of California - San Diego

• James Crawford, University of California - San Diego

• Kirk D. Rogers, University of California - San Diego

• Dolores Lopez, University of California - San Diego

• Makeba Jones, University of California - San Diego

• Thandeka K. Chapman, University of California - San Diego