Publication Date
2005
Abstract
This paper examines the possibility of building a bridge between culture and academics in order to fill the gap between them, and the role of traditional culture in an academic setting. It is evident that there is a gap between Micronesian cultural heritage and modern educational concepts taught in the classroom. The gap is that there is no blending of the Micronesian cultural heritage and the modern educational concepts. In other words, the bridge between academic abstractions and lived socio realities does not exist. In order to fill the gap, the blending of Micronesian cultural heritage and modern educational concepts must take place, or the bridge between academic abstractions and lived socio realities must be built. The blending and building of Micronesian cultural heritage and modern educational concepts will allow students to adapt to the constraints of today’s modern academic world, and be encouraged to maintain their identities. Furthermore, the blending will allow educators to become culturally responsive and academically effective in their teaching. Through interviews and research, the instructor (or the writer of this paper) has gained a deeper appreciation of her culture and teaching. Thus, it has been worthwhile to explore the gap, and to propose a set of guidelines that will guide educators, including the instructor, in teaching within the classroom setting.
Disciplines
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
Recommended Citation
Pedrus, Patti, "Bridging The Gap Between Culture And Academics" (2005). MA TESOL Collection. 52.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/ipp_collection/52