The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Michele Knight

Senior Lecturer, Adult Education Group, College of Education, Wellington Campus,
Massey University, New Zealand

The Developmental Process of 'Connecting Protocols': Intercultural Sensitivity

Abstract

This is an action research project with my adult teacher education colleagues at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand. The project is designed with two major functions. The first is to encourage us to develop attitudes that promote cultural learning. The second is to help us progress along a continuum of six steps, from ethnocentrism (a simple denial that differences exist), to adoption and integration (the merging of selected aspects of another culture into one's own cultural identity or patterns of thinking and behaving).

We teach the BEd(Adult Ed) to off-campus groups. The groups often consist of mature Maori tutors from Private Training Establishments. Our teaching team is mainly Pakeha. This situation has the potential for a clash of cultures but we are finding that by connecting the protocols of both cultures, in an appropriate way, success is achieved for both learners and teachers.

The success of this project should demonstrate that the research group have a high regard for culture; an eagerness to learn; a desire to make connections; a readiness to give as well as receive.

How are they formed, open, culturally reflexive, autonomous and socially responsible thinkers? By July2001 I will have some preliminary data, many question and lots of discussion points. I invite you to participate.

Bionote

My academic interests are: Cultures, Equity Issues, Action Research, Liberal assessment for adult learners.

My outside interests are just as important to me: Bee Keeping, Growing olives for oil, Raising angora goats for Mohair fibre, Growing Nerines as export cut flowers for Japan.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

Presentation Equipment Requirements
OHP
Data Projector
Powerpoint

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
New Zealand