Diversity

I think that one of the strongest parts of this study guide is that it begins by stating the expectations students are to meet in their communication. As a teacher, I think about how the lesson plan would reflect the content provided. I have learned over the years that whatever information you present first, or in the introduction to your lesson plan, the students will always consider this central to their learning. Through looking at this lesson as an example of culturally relevant pedagogy, I can conclude that this praxis places the connection and relationships that students, teachers and staff are creating in the class at top priority.

The feminism survey seems like a useful tool for two reasons. One, because it is a way to collect quantitative data and two because it provides both students and teachers a firm foundation for sharing differing perspectives. This survey allows the minds of students to begin thinking and considering. Thusly, it achieves one of the goals of culturally relevant pedagogy by asking students to reflect on their own viewpoints. This same goal is achieved through the journal prompts.

Both the provided advertisements and the assignment "Create Your Own Magazine" takes the theoretical issues and forces students to apply and demonstrate their knowledge. I find that it asks students not just to reflect but ultimately redefine.

I found it interesting to read these study guides back to back. I think that the first study guide is a much stronger tool when considering what culturally relevant pedagogy looks like. This guide provides students with the main points of each main point of the video. I think, as an educator it would be more beneficial to have students write their own notes and main points as they watch the video. I think that this is important because it allows students to direct the conversation instead of the instructor. Student led conversation leads learners not only to analyze what they just heard, but also consider how it resonates with them personally. 

However, I do think that one of the strong parts of this guide is it asking students not only to create the magazine, but to "write up a set of basic principles that will guide all editorial decisions you make about the content of your magazine and the kinds of ideas and ideals your magazine will convey about gender." This prompt forces the creator to consider not only how they would create the final concrete product, but also how the larger audience would receive it. 

I think that this guide uses the strategy of repetition in a grand way. Culturally relevant pedagogy not only points out the stereotypes and generalization, but it uses them to inform students. The repetition of seeing, hearing and feeling the video advertisement is just what happens to us in every day life. We are bombarded with the same stigma's reenforced in magazines in the store, on billboards on the side of buildings, on television, on the internet, etc. The only difference is that when it happens outside of the classroom we are subconsciously absorbing it. This strategy teaching students to use their senses to become aware. 

I also think that one of the common aspects of culturally responsive pedagogy is that it asks student to consider not only what they can collectively see or hear but also what they feel individually. This prompt encourages students to be vulnerable, authentic and brave. To share feelings with a group of students who you may know or not know is a huge undertaking. However, that step forward into sharing might provide students to understand that feelings are also collective. 

This guide demonstrates another key point in cultural pedagogy which that one theme is never isolated. The questions that prompt students to consider what it means to be a lesbian in today's world also prompts students to consider what it means to be a female in today's world. Gender, sexuality, race are all woven together and presented to students as a universal issue. 

This guide brought a new realization to this course that I had not considered before. I feel that culturally responsive pedagogy is meant to stir social change and diminish the amount of people who are blind to social stereotypes that are reenforced. When I began reading about the work that produced more gay visibility, my reaction was to look at the guide as a way to show how the pedagogy could work. Instead, I realized that the praxis was also questioning the perspectives of what I thought to be positive products. This told me that no matter what the argument or perspective is, there is a part that is always influenced by some sort of bias. This pedagogy encourages us to question everything. It creates meaningful and authentic learning experiences through inquiry.