Creating a learning environment that supports multiculturalism
Njoroge, Milka (2012)
Njoroge, Milka
Jyväskylän ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012103014723
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012103014723
Tiivistelmä
Education is no longer seen as just gaining knowledge but more as gaining knowledge that will enable individuals to deepen their understanding of the world and to recognize the roles they play in the world. Learning environments are undergoing transformations that will help them be more flexible and acknowledge the needs of the society, students and education institutions.
The study was assigned by JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and the objective was to investigate the factors that contribute to a multicultural learning environment .The School of Business and Service Management Dynamo campus was chosen as the case for the study.
A qualitative research method was applied to this study with semi-structured interviews as the main tool of data collection. The participants of the interviews were composed of teachers, students, a professor from Jyväskylä University and the Development Manager of JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
The results revealed that thorough multicultural training is needed for teachers especially in an international setting. Furthermore, there is a need to transform teaching spaces into motivational spaces where students can interact with their peers and share information. The students suggested more flexible social spaces that would create community-like meeting spaces where students can interact informally and get to know each other. In addition, more colorful furniture was suggested by the students in order create a warm feeling and a flexible space for the students.
In conclusion, educational institutions are on the edge of different changes which means that learning will no longer be teacher-oriented but student-oriented. In addition to these changes educational leaders will have to redefine their policies to ensure they meet the needs of diverse students.
The study was assigned by JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and the objective was to investigate the factors that contribute to a multicultural learning environment .The School of Business and Service Management Dynamo campus was chosen as the case for the study.
A qualitative research method was applied to this study with semi-structured interviews as the main tool of data collection. The participants of the interviews were composed of teachers, students, a professor from Jyväskylä University and the Development Manager of JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
The results revealed that thorough multicultural training is needed for teachers especially in an international setting. Furthermore, there is a need to transform teaching spaces into motivational spaces where students can interact with their peers and share information. The students suggested more flexible social spaces that would create community-like meeting spaces where students can interact informally and get to know each other. In addition, more colorful furniture was suggested by the students in order create a warm feeling and a flexible space for the students.
In conclusion, educational institutions are on the edge of different changes which means that learning will no longer be teacher-oriented but student-oriented. In addition to these changes educational leaders will have to redefine their policies to ensure they meet the needs of diverse students.