Dimensions of Multicultural Education: Pedagogical Practices Knowledge of Graduate Students Towards Multicultural Education in Turkey

Abstract

This qualitative case study aimed to examine teachers’ and teacher candidates’ who are graduate-level students at a public university views on and perceptions of multicultural education and its dimensions in the Turkish context. For this study, the research question was created to examine how participants’ understandings of multicultural education can help them to apply their pedagogical practices in classrooms in Turkey. For this examination, the dimensions of multicultural education that were created by James Banks have shaped the students’ possible multicultural practices related to their classrooms, curricula, and schools. This study was conducted at the Alpha University (pseudonym), located in the Marmara Region of Turkey. The data were collected from semi-structured interviews, written documents, focus group interview, classroom observation, and fieldnotes. According to the findings, the participants gave various examples of how their pedagogical practices related to dimensions of multicultural education could be applied to schools. While some of these dimensions can be found in the participants' understandings in a straightforward manner and can be explained via useful practical examples, it is evident that some dimensions are lacking with regard to practical applications. However, especially with regard to teachers and teacher candidates who have graduated from elementary education programs, the examples they provide are similar and generally come from the same courses. They had problems providing more detailed examples of issues related to multiculturalism and diversity relevant to the content of different courses.