Using Technology to Teach Cultural Competence

Abstract

As the demographics of US schools continues to shift, it is now more important than ever that school-based professionals demonstrate a commitment to serving children and families in a culturally competent manner. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss strategies utilizing technology to teach cultural competence in the context of a school psychology graduate course on diversity. Strategies include the use of journal assignments, using a website to promote anonymous in-class participation, collaborative hot topic presentations, utilizing podcasts as assigned materials, and adapting the Privilege Walk experiential learning activity to reduce potential marginalization. Each of these strategies strategically incorporates technology to remove barriers to participation and self-reflection, which are vital for students to develop their skills in cultural competence. Instructors are encouraged to think critically about how technology may be used to enhance their instruction of content related to cultural competence.

Citation

Collins, T.A., Heidelburg, K. and Scott, M.N. (2020), "Using Technology to Teach Cultural Competence", Puckett, T. and Lind, N. (Ed.) Cultural Competence in Higher Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 28), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 219-227. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120200000028021