Culturally Relevant Teaching Strategies Using Multimodal Instruction

Kate Strein

CI6103

June 17, 2024

An action research project was conducted to research the effectiveness and ease of integrating culturally relevant multimodal teaching strategies into lessons for minority student groups. The project consisted of literature review, teacher perception survey, and an interview of a veteran teacher. Both assignments highlight the importance of culturally responsive teaching strategies and the need for teachers to be equipped with the training and tools needed to create inclusive and engaging lessons. Through the use of multi-modal teaching methods and culturally-relevant materials, teachers can enhance student engagement, academic achievement, and prepare students to be successful in our interconnected world (deFur & Runnells, 2014). The research provided valuable insights from research and experienced educators to provide practical tools for implementing these strategies effectively. 

Literature Review 

The literature provides effective instruction strategies and tools that support the needs of diverse learning, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive teaching (Chen & Lindo, 2018). Multimodal strategies such as concept mapping, instructional games, and project-based learning are found to increase student engagement and motivation as well as academic achievement for diverse and minority students (Wang, Huang, & Hwang, 2016). Incorporating technology tools like virtual libraries and interactive review platforms also supports the goals of inclusive education by reflecting students’ cultural backgrounds while providing real-time feedback. The literature stresses the need for teachers to use an array of culturally sensitive materials and holistic approaches to address the overrepresentation of minority students in special education, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment (Rodriguez & Rodriguez, 2017). 

Instructional Methods 

Through a literature review, survey, and interview, a list has been curated to provide new teachers with methods that aim to create an inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experience for all students. Key methods include:

1. Concept Mapping  

2. Instructional Games/Gamification 

3. Project-based Learning 

4. Culturally Relevant Practices 

5. Technology Integration 

6. Graphic Organizers 

7. Cooperative Learning 

8. Scaffolding & Task breakdown 

9. Explicit Instruction and Modeling 

Table 1 shows a feasible way for new teachers to replace traditional teaching practices with innovative, multimodal strategies for effective integration:

Diverse Learner Strategies 

As schools continue to become increasingly diverse, it is important for learning strategies to be explicitly taught, while including representations of students’ cultural backgrounds to foster a sense of belonging and relevance to their school experiences. The instructional methods above cater to different learning styles, give students choice and agency, and enhance the engagement of reluctant learners. Employing tools like virtual libraries, interactive platforms (e.g. Kahoot, Quizziz, and Flipgrid) also support diverse learners and provide immediate feedback. Visual aids and hands-on materials, as well as making real-world connections help students organize information and create meaningful connections, which aids in their understanding (Dabbous, et al., 2023). Implementing learning strategies like summarizing, predicting, and question can improve comprehension and engage students in collaborative learning through peer review. Cooperative learning is an important learning strategy to provide students with an opportunity to learn from each other, engage with content, and enhance their 21st century skills. These strategies contribute to an effective learning environment that is supportive and effective for diverse learners. 

Teacher Perceptions

Teacher perceptions reviewed from the survey and interview indicate strong support for multimodal and culturally responsive teaching strategies. Participant teachers were in strong agreement that these practices enhance student engagement and learning outcomes of diverse student populations. The challenges presented by  participating teachers included managing poor behavior, addressing limited vocabulary, and overcoming time constraints with planning and implementing new strategies. A possible solution to ease these concerns is to provide teachers with ongoing professional development to better prepare and educate them to address the challenges and effectively implement diverse instructional strategies (Sais, Nadelson, Juth & Seifert, 2016).

Table 2 displays the results of the teacher perception survey:

Classroom management was a consistent concern among teachers when it came to implementing new teaching strategies. A list was curated to assist teachers in implementing culturally relevant strategies while taking proactive measures to classroom management. These approaches aid in creating an inclusive and structured learning environment for diverse learners (Larson, et al., 2018): 

• Proactive Management (anticipate and prevent disruptions) 

• Physical Movement 

• Clearly defined expectations

• Cultural inclusivity and empathy modeling

• Conflict resolution/ restorative practices 

• Step in, step out, step back in activity 

• Collaborative learning structures 

• Interactive technology tools 

Lesson Plan development that includes culturally relevant material with multimodal instructional strategies support the goal of creating an inclusive, engaging, and meaningful learning environment for all students, meeting the needs of diverse learners.  

References 

Chen, C. R., & Lindo, E. J. (2018). Culturally Responsive Practices in Special Education 

Evaluations: A Review of Literature. Dialog: Journal of the Texas Educational 

Diagnosticians Association.

Dabbous, M., Sakr, F., Safwan, J., Akel, M., Malaeb, D., Rahal, M., & Kawtharani, A. 

(2023). Instructional educational games in pharmacy experiential education: a 

quasi-experimental assessment of learning outcomes, students’ engagement and 

motivation. BMC Medical Education

deFur, S. H., & Runnells, M. M. (2014). Validation of the Adolescent Literacy and 

Academic Behavior Self-Efficacy Survey. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Hsiu-Ying Wang, Iwen Huang, & Gwo-Jen Hwang. (2016). Effects of a Question 

Prompt-based Concept Mapping Approach on Students’ Learning Achievements, Attitudes and 5C Competences in Project-based Computer Course Activities. Educational Technology & Society.

Larson, K. E., Pas, E. T., Bradshaw, C. P., Rosenberg, M. S., Day-Vines, N. L., & Gregory, A. (2018). Examining How Proactive Management and Culturally Responsive Teaching Relate to Student Behavior: Implications for Measurement and Practice. School Psychology Review.

Rodriguez, A., & Rodriguez, D. (2017). English Learners with Learning Disabilities: What is the Current State? Insights into Learning Disabilities.

Sias, C. M., Nadelson, L. S., Juth, S. M., & Seifert, A. L. (2016). The best laid plans: Educational innovation in elementary teacher generated integrated STEM lesson plans. The Journal of Educational Research.