Perspectives on Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in Education in Four Nordic Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Hanna Ragnarsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Fundamental Values

The article addresses some fundamental values in education and their implications in the Nordic countries, such as equity, democracy, social justice and inclusion, while its main aim is to introduce and discuss main findings from case studies in pre-, compulsory and upper secondary schools that are part of the Nordic research project; Learning Spaces for Inclusion and Social Justice: Success Stories from Immigrant Students and School Communities in Four Nordic Countries. The aims of the research were to 1) to understand and learn from the experiences of immigrant students and children who have succeeded academically and socially; and 2) explore and understand how social justice is implemented in equitable and successful diverse Nordic school contexts and other learning spaces. The research is grounded within theories of critical multicultural education and culturally responsive pedagogy. Findings reveal a variety of successful educational practices on all three school levels while some challenges also exist.

Perspectives on Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice in Education in Four Nordic Countries

2019 ◽  
pp. 155-170
Author(s):  
Hanna Ragnarsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Fundamental Values

The article addresses some fundamental values in education and their implications in the Nordic countries, such as equity, democracy, social justice and inclusion, while its main aim is to introduce and discuss main findings from case studies in pre-, compulsory and upper secondary schools that are part of the Nordic research project; Learning Spaces for Inclusion and Social Justice: Success Stories from Immigrant Students and School Communities in Four Nordic Countries. The aims of the research were to 1) to understand and learn from the experiences of immigrant students and children who have succeeded academically and socially; and 2) explore and understand how social justice is implemented in equitable and successful diverse Nordic school contexts and other learning spaces. The research is grounded within theories of critical multicultural education and culturally responsive pedagogy. Findings reveal a variety of successful educational practices on all three school levels while some challenges also exist.

scholarly journals Perspectives on bi- and multilingual children’s participation in kindergartensin Iceland

AILA Review ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 138-159
Author(s):  
Hanna Ragnarsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Kindergarten Teachers ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Educational Practices ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Success Stories ◽  
Children’S Participation ◽  
Children's Participation

Abstract Cultural and linguistic diversity of kindergarten children in Iceland has been growing rapidly in recent years (Reykjavíkurborg, Skóla- og frístundasvið, 2017; Statistics Iceland, 2017), creating challenges for kindergartens. The main aim of the paper is to explore how principals, kindergarten teachers and parents in three kindergartens in Iceland experience diversity, inclusion and participation in their kindergartens and what learning spaces and educational practices seem to be instrumental for their children’s participation. The paper builds on data from the Nordic research project Learning Spaces for Inclusion and Social Justice: Success Stories from Immigrant Students and School Communities in Four Nordic countries (2013–2015), the aim of which was to draw lessons from success stories of individual immigrant students and whole school communities at different levels that have succeeded in developing learning contexts that are equitable and socially just (Ragnarsdóttir, 2015; Ragnarsdóttir & Kulbrandstad, 2018). Case studies were conducted in three kindergartens, including semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers, principals and parents as well as observation (Flick, 2006; Kvale, 2007). The findings indicate that the kindergartens have developed various inclusive and empowering educational practices to respond to the growing diversity. However, some challenges appear in the findings, including lack of sustainability of good practices.

Students of Vietnamese Heritage

2019 ◽  
pp. 187-204
Author(s):  
Anh-Dao Tran ◽  
Hanna Ragnarsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Upper Secondary School ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Early School ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
Upper Secondary Schools

Studies of immigrant students in upper secondary school in Iceland often highlight low attendance rates and early school departure. This article interrogates this view through an exploration of the perspectives of 13 students of Vietnamese heritage in two upper secondary schools. The article mobilizes multicultural education which sees education as inclusive, insisting on valuing diversity and equal opportunity regardless of gender, religion, belief, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, disability, or other statuses. Analysis of interviews shows that students, despite their positive feelings towards their teachers and their belief that their teachers were trying to do their best, understood that they were perceived to be deficient due to their lack of Icelandic language proficiency. Teachers' perceptions were thus limited, and they overlooked the students' academic and heritage resources that could have provided advantages in the learning process and contributed to student motivation and attainment.

scholarly journals Immigrant Students’ Experiences of Higher Education in Iceland: Why Does Culturally Responsive Teaching Matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artem Ingmar Benediktsson ◽  
Anna Katarzyna Wozniczka ◽  
Anh Dao Katrín Tran ◽  
Hanna Ragnarsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Culturally Responsive Teaching ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Well Being ◽  
University Education ◽  
Responsive Teaching ◽  
Positive Effects

The paper is based on the first, extensive, qualitative study on immigrant students’ experiences of university education in Iceland. The theoretical framework is based on culturally responsive teaching that derives from multicultural education theory which focuses on analysing the position of minority groups, including immigrants in societies with special attention to their access to education. According to the theory, culturally responsive teaching methods and balanced workload based on the students’ language abilities, previous experiences and background have positive effects on the immigrant students’ well-being and generally contribute to their sense of belonging in the universities (e.g. Gay, 2018; Nieto, 2010). The participants of the study are 41 immigrant university students who participated in focus group and individual interviews. The findings show that despite the fact that culturally responsive teaching as an established teaching method is still an uncommon phenomenon in Icelandic universities, the students’ experiences are highly positive, even when culturally responsive teaching is applied unsystematically by some teachers. Furthermore, the findings reveal that the students especially valued an atmosphere of care, trust and power-sharing in the classroom. The study makes a significant contribution to understanding immigrant students’ experiences of the education process in Icelandic universities that currently emphasise the importance of multicultural education and pay special attention to providing equal rights to education to everyone regardless of their origin. Furthermore, the study is relevant from a comparative perspective and contributes to the general discussion about immigrant students in higher education in Europe.

Students of Vietnamese Heritage

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-30
Author(s):  
Anh-Dao Tran ◽  
Hanna Ragnarsdottir
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Early School ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
Upper Secondary Schools

Studies of immigrant students in upper secondary school in Iceland often highlight low attendance rates and early school departure. This article interrogates this view through an exploration of the perspectives of 13 students of Vietnamese heritage in two upper secondary schools. The article mobilizes multicultural education which sees education as inclusive, insisting on valuing diversity and equal opportunity regardless of gender, religion, belief, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, disability, or other statuses. Analysis of interviews shows that students, despite their positive feelings towards their teachers and their belief that their teachers were trying to do their best, understood that they were perceived to be deficient due to their lack of Icelandic language proficiency. Teachers' perceptions were thus limited, and they overlooked the students' academic and heritage resources that could have provided advantages in the learning process and contributed to student motivation and attainment.

Preparing Teacher Candidates for Diverse School Environments

2016 ◽  
pp. 296-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omobolade Delano-Oriaran
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Learning Framework

This chapter shares an Authentic and Culturally Engaging (ACE) Service-Learning framework as a pedagogical approach in equipping teacher candidates with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be successful in-service teachers in diverse PK-12 school environments. As PK-12 schools become more racially and culturally diverse, there is a need to better prepare teacher candidates for diverse school environments, especially given that many teachers have asserted that they do not know how to teach diverse students. The chapter highlights components of the ACE framework and suggests practical strategies that teacher educators can use in integrating this framework into their courses. The end of the chapter focuses on teacher educators and how they can engage in a relearning process to unpack their previous knowledge regarding social justice and multicultural education in an effort to prepare their teacher candidates for diverse schools followed by a suggested checklist applicable to any teacher preparation course.

Preparing Teacher Candidates for Diverse School Environments

2018 ◽  
pp. 296-313
Author(s):  
Omobolade Delano-Oriaran
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Teacher Preparation ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Multicultural Education ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Previous Knowledge ◽  
School Environments ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Learning Framework

This chapter shares an Authentic and Culturally Engaging (ACE) Service-Learning framework as a pedagogical approach in equipping teacher candidates with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be successful in-service teachers in diverse PK-12 school environments. As PK-12 schools become more racially and culturally diverse, there is a need to better prepare teacher candidates for diverse school environments, especially given that many teachers have asserted that they do not know how to teach diverse students. The chapter highlights components of the ACE framework and suggests practical strategies that teacher educators can use in integrating this framework into their courses. The end of the chapter focuses on teacher educators and how they can engage in a relearning process to unpack their previous knowledge regarding social justice and multicultural education in an effort to prepare their teacher candidates for diverse schools followed by a suggested checklist applicable to any teacher preparation course.

Developing a Community of Learners From Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds With Social Justice and Inclusive Critical Literacy Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 60-78
Author(s):  
Shadrack Gabriel Msengi
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Critical Literacy ◽  
Teacher Candidates ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Literacy Practices ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Community Of Learners ◽  
Children And Parents ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds

This case study is an investigation of cultural and linguistic diverse perspectives among parents, children, teachers, and teacher candidates. Survey and interview data were collected and analyzed to determine how these diverse perspectives affect teachers' application of culturally responsive literacy practices to develop a community of learners. Findings suggest that teachers and teacher candidates knew little about their students' diverse backgrounds. Their participation in the study and initial discussions among teachers, teacher candidates, children, and parents had a positive effect on experienced and novice teachers' knowledge of students. This knowledge included the ability to begin planning and managing instruction, as well as determining appropriate assessments and instructional strategies. Findings also suggest ways these teachers could engage students, families, and teachers in social justice practices.

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