Persad-Maharaj, Erin

Incorporating Indigenous Worldviews into the Primary/Junior Classroom

Keywords: Differentiated instruction, Indigenous worldviews, Alternative education

Abstract

Incorporating alternative methods to understanding, learning, and teaching are the primary focuses of this study.  I felt that this was a pertinent topic to research because I feel it is vital to offer both students and teachers new avenues for learning, growing, and expressing themselves.  I was motivated to look at the learning of all students, not only Indigenous children, and how all students could benefit from this type of learning experience.  Through the use of qualitative research methods (interviews), the participants of this study were drawn from exemplary professionals, who have incorporated and have been exposed to Indigenous education and worldviews as a tool for learning and teaching.  Their experiences as educators  with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students made them valuable participants, as they could speak to the experiences they have had in regards to melding this type of teaching and learning with that of more conventional practices or approaches. Preliminary analysis suggests that by encompassing these different learning techniques into our teaching and the learning of students, we can achieve results which are positive to their overall academic learning environment, as well as that of their social development.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my family for their continued patience, support, encouragement and love.   I would also like to thank the amazing friends I have made here in the MT program. I cannot imagine this experience without you, and I am so happy to have met you. Kyle, your positive nature, words of encouragement, and support have been more than I could ask for, thank-you. To the MT faculty, thank-you for all of the knowledge you have passed on.  Your patience, support and understanding have been phenomenal.  To the research participants and individuals who have contributed countless time and thought to my research efforts, thank-you for being a part of this journey.  Your contributions are much appreciated and valued.  To Garfield Gini-Newman, thank-you for believing in my topic and guiding me along in this process; your knowledge, advice and support has been much appreciated.