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PME 811 Blog e-Journal Entry #10 Final Reflections

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Over the past few weeks, I have explored and reflected on ways to incorporate Indigenous education and perspectives into the mainstream classroom.  I would like to go back to my initial inquiry and reflection question and consolidate what I have learned throughout these past few weeks of research and I would also like to add an extension component to my reflection process as noted in the question of Part II below.   Part I Consolidation of Reflections and New Learning How can education be re-conceptualized to include  Indigenous knowledge and education and how does this new conception promote innovation in teaching and learning? I believe that a reconceptualization of Canadian curriculum, across all  provinces, would need to be explored further in order to move beyond assimilation and towards a  decolonized education at the system level. Through this reflective exploration I have learned about ways to Indigenize the curriculum and classroom. Many of the practices highlighted in the lit

PME 811 Blog e-Journal What is Indigenous Education? Taking another Look... Entry #9

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CRS...What is it and what do we need to understand about it? The article entitled, Culturally Responsive Schooling for Indigenous Youth: A Review of the Literature by Castagno & Brayboy, is extremely relevant and practical to my professional context of practice and I chose to use some of the details from the article as a way to deepen my understanding of Indigenous education. It highlighted for me the complexities of creating culturally responsive schooling systems. The authors state that “ truly culturally responsive learning for Indigenous youth is a highly complex endeavor that requires systemic change within and across a number of levels in our schooling system” (Castagno, A., et. al., 2008, p.943).  The authors go on to explain in detail scholars’ arguments on the learning styles of Indigenous youth and they caution the reader to think critically about stereotypical, racist and sexist constructs that exist with the mainstream classroom. Castagno & Brayboy note that the mo

PME 811 Blog e-Journal What resources can be used to support Indigenous Education & Perspectives in the Classroom? Entry #8

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In this blog post I will share some ideas of teacher resources that I have come to learn about that can help to support the infusion of Indigenous education, knowledge and perspectives in the mainstream classroom.  I have created a list of beautiful resources, websites and texts that could be helpful to classroom teachers when planning for the infusion of Indigenous knowledge and curriculum in classrooms.  It will also help to support me in my work with the Indigenous student success teachers and all School based Leaders. I am so thrilled to find such a rich variety of resources that can be used to support the integration of Indigenous education in the mainstream classroom.  1. The Power of Story in the Classroom In Indigenous cultures one of the most important teaching strategies is story telling. David Robertson,  a Cree author based in Winnipeg, writes books for readers of all ages. He has curated a list of 48 books by Indigenous authors that can be used to support classroom program

PME 811 Blog e-Journal: Moving from the Dominant Education Culture to More Student Centered Culture: Entry #7

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How can education be re-conceptualized to include Indigenous knowledge and education and how does this new conception promote innovation in teaching and learning? "A conception of curriculum implies a particular purpose of education with appropriate content and organization" (Sowell, E.J., 2005, p.38). Current Education Culture: Academic/Rationalist Conception This conception continues to endure as the dominant and recurring curriculum conception across most Grades 1 to 12 curricula. Subject matter is the focus  and acquiring an understanding of the core disciplines involves learning its content, conceptual frameworks and ways of thinking. Scholar Academic Ideology ~ The primary goal is to help students learn the accumulated knowledge of an academic discipline . What every one of our students need and would benefit from.... ... A re-conceptualized mashup towards an Innovative Curriculum Conception that has been re-imagined and changed to include Indigenous Education and know

PME 811 Blog e-Journal: Programming for Reconciliation: Entry #6

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My Inquiry Question: How can education be re-conceptualized to include Indigenous knowledge and education and how does this new conception promote innovation in teaching and learning? The C alls to Action specifically related to ‘education for reconciliation’ include: Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Indigenous peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for kindergarten to grade 12 students. The  TRC  also calls for the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Indigenous education issues, including: Developing and implementing kindergarten to grade 12 curriculum and learning resources on Indigenous peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools. Sharing information and best practices on teaching curriculum related to residential schools and Indigenous history. Building student capacity for intercultural under-standing, empathy,

PME 811 Blog e-Journal: UDL as Innovation Towards Indigenous Education: Entry #5

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Universal Design for Learning as an Innovative Indigenous Education Classroom Approach While taking a deep dive into my inquiry question:  How can education be re-conceptualized to include Indigenous knowledge and education and how does this new conception promote innovation in teaching and learning? I was reminded of the work of Jennifer Katz in her book titled: Ensouling our Schools .  As noted in the Calls to Action K to Grade 12 Education must incorporate Indigenous perspectives into their curricula. This would represent an innovative change to an existing structure or process. “The root of innovation is innovâre, which means to renew or make changes. Consequently, innovation is adding something new to an existing product or process” (Badaran, I., 2007, p. 574). Indigenous perspectives on well-being are an important component of the work of the author. She is also a strong proponent of the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  The Indigenous idea of well-being is viewed

PME 811 Blog e-Journal: What is Educational Indigenization? Entry #4

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My Ongoing Inquiry Question: How can education be re-conceptualized to include Indigenous knowledge and education and how does this new conception promote innovation in teaching and learning? As I continue to explore the focus of my  inquiry  question,  I feel a personal need to develop a better conception of the question: What is Indigenization ?  Indigenization is: (as  cited from the  University of Saskatchewan ) A multi-staged institutional initiative that supports societal reconciliation An intentional, culturally sensitive and appropriate approach to adding Indigenous ideas, concepts, and practices into curricula, when and where it is appropriate A strategic set of changes to policies, procedures and practices that increase inclusion, break down barriers and realign institutional, college and school outcomes without harm to previously established goals An iterative developmental approach to understanding Canada’s colonial history and the more contemporary issues impacting Indigen