This title, part of the Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development Book Series, has 21 chapters preceded by a list of contributors, a table of contents, and a detailed table of contents. Chapters commence with an abstract and introduction and conclude with references, key terms, and additional reading where applicable. Tables, charts, and figures are more than satisfactory and strongly support the text. A compilation of references, information about the contributors, and an index round out the work.
With educators from around the world contributing to this volume, a central theme is the desire to share educational practices that are responsive to the global community. The book gathers intercultural approaches, communication ideas, and methods for building bridges. Authors examine and analyze current beliefs and present dogma to carry educators well into the twenty-first century.
As our world gets smaller, faculty at educational facilities will find ideas, theories, and support in this handbook. The exposure to evidence-based practices here affords open discussion on how to adapt and modify methods for one student or many. Developing active partnerships between facilitators and communities/cultures will lead to meaningful interactions and culturally consonant experiences for youth (as shared in chapter three). Chapters share multiple perspectives and often have hands-on curriculum experiences. With intervention no longer the mode, collaboration between all players is now the focus in providing culturally responsive practices for students. Other aspects of culture and education are included such as study abroad programs in chapters 17 and 18.
Because of the diversity of place, topic, and approach, the Handbook of Research on Effective Communication in Culturally Diverse Classrooms will be best for a wide range of professionals. This book is for those in the education field from educators to pre-service teachers, administrators and faculty members. Those from pre-k classrooms through university departments will find applicable classroom information. Those interested in educational change, group dynamics, and effective communication practices will benefit from this title.
– Janis Minshull, ARBA Reviews