CulturalCompetenceModules Cano Davis SolisOrtiz Trewartha
CulturalCompetenceModules Cano Davis SolisOrtiz Trewartha
CulturalCompetenceModules Cano Davis SolisOrtiz Trewartha
Table of Contents
Pre-Service Cultural Competence Module
Overview, Learning Objectives, and Resources
Prompts & Rubrics:
Discussion
Essay
Blog
Multimedia
Mid-Service Cultural Competence Module
Overview, Learning Objectives, and Resources
Prompts & Rubrics:
Discussion
Essay
Blog
Multimedia
Post-Service Cultural Competence Module
Overview, Learning Objectives, and Resources
Prompts & Rubrics:
Discussion
Essay
Blog
Multimedia
Reflection
Resources
Curricula Enhancement Module Series: Definitions of Cultural Competence
http://www.nccccurricula.info/culturalcompetence.html
Cultural Competence: Establishing a Knowledge Structure
http://www.businessweek.com/adsections/diversity/diversecompet.htm
Cultural Competence in the Workplace: Challenges and Solutions
http://www.leadingage.org/magazine/Feature.aspx?id=5524
National Institutes of Health: Cultural Competency
http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication/culturalcompetency.htm
Pre-Service Prompts
Discussion Board Prompt
Discussion Post Instructions:
In the ongoing process of being more culturally competent, it is helpful to start with who
we are as individuals. Start by picking two social identities that you hold. These can include, but
are not limited to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, faith, spirituality, sexuality, socioeconomic status,
ability status, body size, nationality, citizenship status, education level, etc. What advantages or
disadvantages do you feel that you experience based on these two social identities that you
chose?
For the two social identities you chose, think about the people you will be working in
partnership with at your service site. Will their identities be similar or different from your own?
What barriers might you face in working with different populations at your site? How do you see
the content of your course being useful to your work with the different populations you will be
collaborating with at your site?
Response Instructions:
Respond to two other individuals posts. Were there similarities or differences in their
posts that stuck out to you? What did your peers write that helped you reflect on your own
response? Be sure to raise any questions that came up in reading their posts or areas in which
your peers could reflect more.
What:
You will list and
explain your own
identities.
So What:
You will
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities provide
you advantages
or disadvantages
in social
contexts.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about social
context and
values to guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
the service site.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
Essay Prompt
Part 1:
In the ongoing process of being more culturally competent, it is helpful to start with who
we are as individuals. What social identities do you hold? These can include, but are not limited
to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, faith, spirituality, sexuality, socioeconomic status, ability status,
body size, nationality, citizenship status, education level, etc. What advantages or disadvantages
do you feel that you experience based on the social identities that you hold?
Part 2:
Now reflect on who you will be interacting with at your service site. What identities do
you share with them or not share with them? What do you expect to encounter at your service
site? What barriers might you face in working with different populations at your site? What
identities do you have that might help you connect to the populations you will be working in
partnership with? How do you see the content of your course being useful to your work with the
different populations you will be collaborating with at your site?
10
What:
You will list and
explain your own
identities.
So What:
You will
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities provide
you advantages
or disadvantages
in social
contexts.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about social
context and
values to guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
the service site.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
11
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
12
13
Blog Prompt
Anais Nin (1961) said We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are. The
social identities that we hold influence the way that we experience the world. Through a blog
post, express the way you perceive the world based off of at least one social identity that you
hold. Include at least three original photos or artwork created by you that represent how you see
your world and explain how they tie to the social identity/identities you chose. Be sure to include
how these identities influence your understanding of the work you will be doing in this course
and in your service project.
Here are some questions that may help guide your project as it relates to the service work
you will be doing, the individuals you will be working in partnership with, and course content.
Pick at least two of the following questions to tie into your blog post:
What identities do you share or not share with the people you will be working with?
What barriers might you face in working with different populations at your site?
What identities do you have that might help you connect to the populations you will be
working in partnership with?
How do you see the content of your course being useful to your work with the different
populations you will be collaborating with at your site?
14
What:
You will list and
explain your own
identities.
So What:
You will
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities provide
you advantages
or disadvantages
in social
contexts.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about social
context and
values to guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
the service site.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
15
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
16
Multimedia Prompt
Anais Nin (1961) said We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are. The
social identities that we hold influence the way that we experience the world. Through a medium
of your choice, use your creativity to express the way you perceive the world based off of at least
one social identity that you hold. Be sure to include how these identities influence your
understanding of the work you will be doing in this course and in your service project.
Here are some questions that may help guide your project as it relates to the service work
you will be doing, the individuals you will be working in partnership with, and course content.
Pick at least two of the following questions to tie into your project:
What identities do you share or not share with the people you will be working with?
What barriers might you face in working with different populations at your site?
What identities do you have that might help you connect to the populations you will be
working in partnership with?
How do you see the content of your course being useful to your work with the different
populations you will be collaborating with at your site?
17
What:
You will be able to
reflect on your own
identities and
experiences.
So What:
You are to
demonstrate an
understanding of the
implications of your
social context and
values on your
perceptions,
interactions and
choices.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights about
social context and
values to guide your
possible future
behaviors and
choices at the
service site.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
18
GOOD
You have identified
several connections
between course
concepts, theories
and/or objectives and
your service learning
experience.
The communication
style you use is well
suited to the
assignment and the
audience, and conveys
meaning well without
the distraction of
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
The communication
style you use is suited
to the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning with
few distractions from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
The communication
style you use is
somewhat suited to
the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning
somewhat well with
some distraction from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
19
20
Resources
Curricula Enhancement Module Series: Definitions of Cultural Competence
http://www.nccccurricula.info/culturalcompetence.html
Cultural Competence: Establishing a Knowledge Structure
http://www.businessweek.com/adsections/diversity/diversecompet.htm
Cultural Competence in the Workplace: Challenges and Solutions
http://www.leadingage.org/magazine/Feature.aspx?id=5524
National Institutes of Health: Cultural Competency
http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication/culturalcompetency.htm
21
22
Mid-Service Prompts
Discussion Board Prompt
Discussion Instructions:
Share information about your service site with your peers by including three facts about
your service organization related to the mission, the population the organization serves, the needs
of the organization or the surrounding community, or how your site practices cultural
competence. How has your understanding of the organization and the population with which you
work enhanced your understanding of cultural competence? What aspects of the course have
helped you better understand the individuals and organization with which you are working?
Have you experienced anything at your site that has enhanced your knowledge of course
content?
Now that you have had experience working with your service organization, how do your
experiences compare with the expectations you had at the beginning of the semester? Identify
things that have been going well and challenges you have faced. Are there any challenges that
could be affected by your own identities or perspective? What changes have you made or will
you make in order to improve your partnership with the site?
Response Instructions:
Reply to two of your peers, sharing with them ways you have addressed similar
challenges at your organization. If you have not met similar challenges, share with them
suggestions you have that might help them navigate the challenges they are facing. Finally,
include insight about your own experience that you have gained from reading about your peers
experiences. Be sure to raise any questions that came up in reading their posts or areas in which
your peers could reflect more.
23
What:
You will
articulate
knowledge about
your service site
and the
population it
serves.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
So What:
You are to
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities have
influenced your
interactions with
the people you
are working with
at your service
site you are
working with.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about how your
social identities
might influence
your daily
interactions with
others and guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
your site.
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
24
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
25
Essay Prompt
Part 1
Additionally, how has your understanding of the organization and the population with
which you work enhanced your understanding of cultural competence? Please share specific
examples of the organizations commitment to cultural competence. While it is important for an
organization as a whole to exemplify cultural competence, it is equally important for each
individual working with or for the organization to commit to cultural competence as well. How
have your social identities influenced the way you worked with others? Have there been any
experiences that have made you more cognizant of certain social identities that you hold? What
changes have you made or will you make in order to better understand the population you are
working with at your site?
Part 2
Now that you have had experience working with your service organization, how do your
experiences compare with the expectations you had at the beginning of the semester? What has
been easy or challenging about your service experience thus far? What aspects of the course have
helped you better understand the individuals and organization with which you are working? Has
it been easy or difficult to connect the course content to your service learning work? Have you
experienced anything at your site that has enhanced your knowledge of course content?
26
What:
You will
articulate
knowledge about
your service site
and the
population it
serves.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
So What:
You are to
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities have
influenced your
interactions with
the people you
are working with
at your service
site you are
working with.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about how your
social identities
might influence
your daily
interactions with
others and guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
your site.
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
27
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
28
Blog Prompt
Share information about your service site by including three facts about your service
organization related to the mission, the population the organization serves, the needs of the
organization or the surrounding community, or how your site practices cultural competence. You
are encouraged to include creative elements such as photos, organization logos, or other related
components. How has your understanding of the organization and the population with which you
work enhanced your understanding of cultural competence? What aspects of the course have
helped you better understand the individuals and organization with which you are working?
Have you experienced anything at your site that has enhanced your knowledge of course
content?
Now that you have had experience working with your service organization, how do your
experiences compare with the expectations you had at the beginning of the semester? Identify
things that have been going well and challenges you have faced. Are there any challenges that
could be affected by your own identities or perspective? What changes have you made or will
you make in order to improve your partnership with the site?
29
What:
You will
articulate
knowledge about
your service site
and the
population it
serves.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
So What:
You are to
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities have
influenced your
interactions with
the people you
are working with
at your service
site you are
working with.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about how your
social identities
might influence
your daily
interactions with
others and guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
your site.
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
30
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
31
32
Multimedia Prompt
Using a creative platform, provide an overview of your experience with your service site
so far. Begin by sharing information about your service site by including three facts about your
service organization related to the mission, the population the organization serves, the needs of
the organization or the surrounding community, or how your site practices cultural competence.
How has your understanding of the organization and the population with which you work
enhanced your understanding of cultural competence? What aspects of the course have helped
you better understand the individuals and organization with which you are working? Have you
experienced anything at your site that has enhanced your knowledge of course content?
Now that you have had experience working with your service organization, how do your
experiences compare with the expectations you had at the beginning of the semester? Identify
things that have been going well and challenges you have faced. Are there any challenges that
could be affected by your own identities or perspective? What changes have you made or will
you make in order to improve your partnership with the site?
33
What:
You will
articulate
knowledge about
your service site
and the
population it
serves.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
So What:
You are to
demonstrate an
understanding of
how your social
identities have
influenced your
interactions with
the people you
are working with
at your service
site you are
working with.
Now What:
You are to apply
your insights
about how your
social identities
might influence
your daily
interactions with
others and guide
your possible
future behaviors
and choices at
your site.
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
34
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
The communication
style you use is well
suited to the
assignment and the
audience, and conveys
meaning well without
the distraction of
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
The communication
style you use is suited
to the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning with
few distractions from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
The communication
style you use is
somewhat suited to
the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning
somewhat well with
some distraction from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
35
36
Resources
Curricula Enhancement Module Series: Definitions of Cultural Competence
http://www.nccccurricula.info/culturalcompetence.html
Cultural Competence: Establishing a Knowledge Structure
http://www.businessweek.com/adsections/diversity/diversecompet.htm
Cultural Competence in the Workplace: Challenges and Solutions
http://www.leadingage.org/magazine/Feature.aspx?id=5524
National Institutes of Health: Cultural Competency
http://www.nih.gov/clearcommunication/culturalcompetency.htm
37
38
Post-Service Prompts
Discussion Board Prompt
Discussion Post Instructions:
Now that your service experience has ended, reflect back on your experience and what
you have learned. What has been the biggest challenge that youve had to overcome in this
experience as it pertains to cultural competence? What have you learned about yourself, your
social identities, and your beliefs? How can you apply what youve learned in your servicelearning experience to your future course work or career?
What have you learned in the course that helped you in your service experience? What
did you learn as a result of your service-learning experience that enhanced your understanding of
course content? What would have been helpful to know prior to your service experience?
Response Instructions:
Respond to two other individuals posts. Were there similarities or differences in their
posts that stuck out to you? What did your peers write that helped you reflect on your own
response? Be sure to raise any questions that came up in reading their posts or areas in which
your peers could reflect more.
39
What:
You will
articulate what
youve learned
about yourself,
your social
identities and
beliefs
throughout the
course and your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You will reflect
on how your
understanding of
cultural
competence has
evolved
throughout the
site experience
working with
people who
come from
different
backgrounds.
Now What:
You are to
articulate how
you will
integrate your
understanding of
social identities
and cultural
competence as
you move
forward in the
work that you do
past this course.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
40
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
41
42
Essay Prompt
Part 1:
Now that you have gone through the process, take time to reflect on your overall
experience and how cultural competence has manifested itself in the work that you have done.
How have your social identities influenced the way you worked with others? Were there
similarities or differences in social identities that made it easier or harder for you to connect with
others? What has been the biggest challenge that youve had to overcome in this experience as it
pertains to cultural competence? What have you learned about yourself and your social identities
throughout the course and service-learning experience? How can you apply what youve learned
in your service-learning experience to your future course work or career?
Part 2:
What have you learned in the course that helped you in your service experience? What
did you learn as a result of your service-learning experience that enhanced your understanding of
course content? What would have been helpful to know prior to your service experience?
43
What:
You will
articulate what
youve learned
about yourself,
your social
identities and
beliefs
throughout the
course and your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You will reflect
on how your
understanding of
cultural
competence has
evolved
throughout the
site experience
working with
people who
come from
different
backgrounds.
Now What:
You are to
articulate how
you will
integrate your
understanding of
social identities
and cultural
competence as
you move
forward in the
work that you do
past this course.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
44
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
45
46
Blog Prompt
Now that your service-learning experience is coming to a close, take time to reflect on
your overall experience and how cultural competence has manifested itself in the work that you
have done. How have your social identities influenced the way you worked with others? Were
there similarities or differences in social identities that made it easier or harder for you to connect
with others? What have you learned about yourself and your social identities throughout the
course and service-learning experience? How can you apply what youve learned in your
service-learning experience to your future career?
What have you learned in the course that helped you in your service experience? What
did you learn as a result of your service-learning experience that enhanced your understanding of
course content? What would have been helpful to know prior to your service experience?
47
What:
You will
articulate what
youve learned
about yourself,
your social
identities and
beliefs
throughout the
course and your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You will reflect
on how your
understanding of
cultural
competence has
evolved
throughout the
site experience
working with
people who
come from
different
backgrounds.
Now What:
You are to
articulate how
you will
integrate your
understanding of
social identities
and cultural
competence as
you move
forward in the
work that you do
past this course.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
48
*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
49
50
Multimedia Prompt
Now that your service-learning experience is coming to a close, reflect on how your
journey has shaped your understanding of cultural competence. In a creative project, share what
experiences you have had that have helped you learn about yourself, your social identities, and
your beliefs and how they have changed throughout the course and service-learning experience.
In particular, think about how you can apply what youve learned in the course and your servicelearning experience to your future career.
Choose at least two of the following questions to additionally include within your project:
What did you learn as a result of your service-learning experience that enhanced your
understanding of course content?
How have your social identities influenced the way you worked with others?
Were there similarities or differences in social identities that made it easier or harder for
you to connect with others?
What has been the biggest challenge that youve had to overcome in this experience as it
pertains to cultural competence?
What have you learned about yourself and your social identities throughout the course
and service-learning experience?
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What:
You will
articulate what
youve learned
about yourself,
your social
identities and
beliefs
throughout the
course and your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You will reflect
on how your
understanding of
cultural
competence has
evolved
throughout the
site experience
working with
people who
come from
different
backgrounds.
Now What:
You are to
articulate how
you will
integrate your
understanding of
social identities
and cultural
competence as
you move
forward in the
work that you do
past this course.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
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*Social context includes factors such as gender, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, faith, age, physical/mental
ability, and other characteristics by which society defines, describes or categorizes people.
What:
You are to identify
course theories,
concepts, materials,
and/or objectives
that you plan to
implement at your
service learning
experience.
So What:
You are to describe
the ways in which
you hope your
service -learning
experience will
enhance your
learning in the
course.
Now What:
You are to apply the
insights you have
developed to guide
your future learning.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
The communication
style you use is well
suited to the
assignment and the
audience, and conveys
meaning well without
the distraction of
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS WORK
UNSATISFACTORY
The communication
style you use is suited
to the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning with
few distractions from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
The communication
style you use is
somewhat suited to
the assignment and
the audience, and
conveys meaning
somewhat well with
some distraction from
grammar, syntax and
spelling errors.
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54
Reflection
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In order to design effective service-learning modules, our initial research considered the
Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS)(2011). The modules we
developed fall under discipline-based service-learning courses. CAS (2011) defined this
experience as an opportunity "designed to enable students to deepen their understanding of
course content, apply knowledge for practice, and test theory through practical application" (p.7).
For our modules, we focused on the program domains of intrapersonal competence and
humanitarianism and civic engagement. Intrapersonal growth is related to self-understanding
and identity development. This was a crucial part of our project because cultural competence
requires one to understand their identities in order to address beliefs and assumptions.
Humanitarianism and civic engagement highlight "understanding and appreciation of cultural
and human differences" (p.5). We looked to these important domains as the foundations for the
rest of our module-building experience.
To create fully integrated module components, we utilized the practice of backward
design. Fink (2013) suggested that professors start the process of creating significant learning
experiences by considering what they want students to take away from the course. We began by
creating learning outcomes that reflect what we want potential students to learn about cultural
competence as a result of their service-learning experience. We referenced four types of
significant learning from Fink's Taxonomy of Significant Learning (2013): foundational
knowledge, application, integration, and human dimension.
We first wanted student to build foundational knowledge of cultural competence and
social identities. This was integrated into all of our modules; we included a definition of cultural
competence that we wanted students to understand in our overviews. Additionally, an
introduction to the concept of social identities is repeated throughout our modules. Foundational
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knowledge was most heavily relied upon for the first module, which asked students to reflect in
detail on their own identities.
Next, we focused on application, which enhances students' opportunities to develop
thinking skills and focuses on what, as educators, we want students to be able to do. This
outcome builds upon our goals for foundational knowledge. We want students to not only have
an understanding of cultural competence but to also demonstrate practical skills in cultural
competence. For example, we ask students to identify situations that were successful because of,
or could be improved through, a greater awareness of diversity. Our post-service module asks
students to reflect on how they could apply their knowledge of cultural competence to a future
career. Application to a future career was an essential component because it provides an
opportunity for forward looking assessment. Educators use forward-looking assessment to look
ahead to what they want students to be able to do in the future as a result of having learned about
[something] (Fink, 2013, p.95).
Subsequently, application of the service-learning experience to a future career is related
to Fink's (2013) significant learning outcome of integration. Fink (2013) also pointed out that
integration can also occur with related subjects of study. In our case, we wanted to build a strong
connection between the service-learning experience and the course content. We reinforced this
relationship by encouraging students to explain how the two areas informed one another. Our
rubrics also intentionally mirrored this by assessing the connection to course content.
Finally, our last area of significant learning was the human dimension. The concept of
cultural competence is closely tied to this learning dimension because of the intrapersonal and
interpersonal communication. The human dimension requires students to gain a new
understanding of how to interact with other people (Fink, 2013, p.90). Similarly, cultural
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competence provides tools for understanding how to work with populations from diverse
backgrounds. Therefore, the two were closely aligned throughout all of our modules.
In conclusion, our modules are a reflection of many types of significant learning. They
were developed in a way that integrated our learning outcomes into all aspects of our modules.
We formulated our rubrics and prompts specifically around foundational knowledge, application,
integration, and human dimension. We used backward design to determine what we wanted
students to take away from the course and the reflection modules, and used those assessments in
order to create intentional and meaningful prompts. Our hope is that students leave this
experiential course being able to clearly articulate how cultural competence can influence their
work with others based on understanding their identities. Students will apply this learning into
their future career goals and know how to connect with others from different backgrounds and
experiences. We believe these modules would allow for students to begin reflecting on their own
cultural competence and become engaged citizens in their respective communities beyond this
course.
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References
Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education,, In Dean, L. A., In Dean, L. A.,
& Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. (2009). CAS
professional standards for higher education.
Fink, L. D. (2013). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to
designing college courses. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.