Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education
Date of this Version
1994
Document Type
Article
Citation
To Improve the Academy, published by the Professional and Organizational
Development Network in Higher Education, volume 13, 1994.
Abstract
At Sinte Gleska University, a tribal college on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, we are empowering students through our teaching methods and curricular choices. Three areas have been identified as important ingredients in empowering students: validating culture, teaching to learning styles, and utilizing teaching strategies resulting in self-directed learning.
These three elements of empowerment can open up avenues of knowledge that have been previously closed to students on the Rosebud Reservation. As students discover that knowledge is powerful, they begin to learn because they want to.
Change in the fundamental ways we view ourselves as teachers is necessary in order to empower students. In addition, changes in the way we teach, assess, and interact can have a profound impact on our students.
Comments
License: CC BY-NC-ND