Higher education has become an increasingly multicultural environment in the context of globalization. Culturally responsive teaching has proved an effective approach to enhancing student engagement and promoting educational equity. However, its impact on students’ intrinsic motivation (IM) across different disciplines in higher education has not been comprehensively examined, which limits instructors' ability to create inclusive curricula that successfully meet a range of learning demands in a globalized setting. Based on self-determination theory, the study fills this research vacuum by carrying out in-depth interviews with students from a range of cultural backgrounds and academic disciplines. Thematic analysis indicates evident disciplinary differences: students in science and engineering fields show relatively lower reliance on cultural inclusivity for their IM compared with students in liberal arts fields. Additionally, the study revealed a “dual dynamic” in the development of a culturally inclusive classroom environment: teachers adopting culturally responsive teaching methods can effectively enhance students' learning motivation by enhancing their autonomy and relatedness; Students, alongside faculty, also need to take an active role in articulating their needs. The study shows that some students, influenced by cultural values regarding faculty authority, exhibit higher passivity in expressing their needs, resulting in weakening the depth of cultural inclusivity in the classroom. To address these issues, The study proposes five targeted, evidence-based strategies to enhance cultural inclusivity in higher education, offering both institutional and interpersonal insights to advance cultural inclusivity and equitable learning opportunities.

Authors:
Lin Xu, University of Michigan, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Lin Xu is a graduate student in Educational Studies at University of Michigan. Her research centers on advancing equitable learning environments that transform learning experiences and empower teachers through innovative practices.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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