Making physics instruction more equitable
Culturally relevant pedagogy teaching approach may draw students of
color, women to physics

Date:
March 31, 2022
Source:
American Institute of Physics
Summary:
In The Physics Teacher, researchers explore the goal of culturally
relevant pedagogy, which is to center students' cultural resources
as a bridge to learning. It relies on a framework of academic
excellence, cultural competence, and sociopolitical consciousness
and encourages teachers to push their students toward using
what they learn within the classroom to challenge injustices in
society. These investments in students can be invaluable in turning
classrooms into places where students recognize their worth.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
More equitable approaches to physics instruction are necessary, because
the field has recognized many ways in which traditional approaches to instruction are inadequate for students of color or women. Part of this
issue stems from physics teachers often being unsure how to begin making physics more equitable.


==========================================================================
In The Physics Teacher, copublished by AIP Publishing and American
Association of Physics Teachers, researchers from the University of
Washington and Florida State University explore the goal of culturally
relevant pedagogy, developed by Gloria Ladson-Billings, which is to
center students' cultural resources as a bridge to learning.

When they delved into the efforts of one physics teacher in particular,
a Black woman who was successfully using the framework of culturally
relevant pedagogy to attract students of color into physics and helping
them thrive, they were in for a surprise.

"While some of her efforts revolved around lesson plans, we also learned culturally relevant pedagogy isn't just about how teachers instruct,"
said Clausell Mathis, from the University of Washington and a co-author
on the study. "It also shapes extra-instructional factors, such as
developing relationships with students, encouraging them to succeed,
and the willingness to acknowledge and help students make sense of sociopolitical concerns that influence their lives." Teachers who adopt culturally relevant pedagogy "attempt to bridge students' home and school
life, in our case, within the realm of physics," said Mathis.

"The framework consists of three pillars: academic excellence, cultural competence, and sociopolitical consciousness. It also calls for teachers
to explore their own conceptions of self and others, knowledge, and
social relations." Culturally relevant pedagogy encourages teachers to
push their students toward using what they learn within the classroom
to challenge injustices in society.

For example, teachers introduce sociopolitical topics such as
environmental issues, like global warming and fossil fuels, or mechanical issues, like energy efficiency or the damaging infrastructure of bridges.

"Our case study taught us that even physics teachers must be willing to
address issues such as racism, classism, sexism, and other issues to
support their students," said Mathis. "We ultimately want teachers to
help students use what is learned within the classroom as a tool for
creating positive change in society." Mathis and Sherry Southerland,
from Florida State University and another co- author, said students bring
a wealth of resources into classrooms that can be fruitful for teachers
to use toward helping them achieve productive learning.

"Culturally relevant pedagogy in physics draws and influences far more
than simply the activities or topics teachers select for instruction,"
said Mathis.

"It also requires teachers to develop relationships with their students,
get to know them as people -- not just physics learners -- and be willing
to step outside of physics at times to help them navigate vexing events
in their lives." These investments in students can be invaluable in
turning classrooms into places where students recognize their worth.

"Hopefully, our research will be useful for teachers interested in
making their physics classrooms and teaching more equitable -- where
all students, particularly students of color, are supported in learning physics," said Mathis. "And also show how classrooms can really empower students to use physics to understand their community and societal issues,
and then go work to make the world more equitable and just."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Institute_of_Physics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Clausell Mathis, Sherry Southerland. Our Shifting Understandings of
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in Physics. The Physics Teacher,
2022; 60 (4): 260 DOI: 10.1119/5.0027583 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220331101632.htm

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