TITLE:
Addressing Issues of Social Justice through Reflective Writing
AUTHORS:
JaDora Sailes
KEYWORDS:
Teacher Education; Pre-Service Teachers; Multicultural Education
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
16,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Since the1960’s there have been calls for reforms in teacher
education programs to reflect the growing diversity represented in our nation’s
schools. One response is multicultural education courses aimed at addressing
attitudes and beliefs about diversity. Such courses have received mixed
reviews. Some research has reported that pre-service teacher’s attitudes and
beliefs were changed in a positive direction towards diversity, while others
suggest that pre-service teachers leave these courses unchanged. The primary
goal of this study was to determine if a stand-alone multicultural education
course challenged or altered pre-service teachers’ attitudes and beliefs
towards cultural diversity. An analysis of reflective writings by the
participants throughout the semester served as evidence of change.