Culture Connection Project: promoting multiculturalism in elementary schools.
OBJECTIVE
To promote multiculturalism among grade school students through drama education.


METHODS
Grade 3-6 students (N = 665) from 6 targeted schools including lead-class students (n = 158) representing each school.


METHODS
Elementary schools in Windsor-Essex County, Ontario, Canada.


METHODS
In this non-experimental design study, group discussions conducted with each lead class to explore students' understanding of multiculturalism were developed into an interactive drama performance and performed for all grades 3-6 students in their respective schools. A follow-up drama workshop was offered to each lead class one week after the drama performance. All students completed a 7-item questionnaire before and after the drama performance and after the drama workshop. Pre-test and post-test data collected were analyzed using T-test and ANOVA to determine the effects of drama education on students' attitudes toward multiculturalism.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis at 0.05 significance level revealed that both the performance and the drama workshop heightened students' awareness of racism, and instilled cultural respect through "talking with others", "accepting others", and "believing that they can make a difference" in multiculturalism promotion.


CONCLUSIONS
Drama education was an effective experiential tool for promoting multiculturalism in a school setting. The key to promoting inter-racial harmony is to respect and accept individual differences and to broaden the social determinants of health by providing culture safety care.
Matuk
Lucia Yiu
LY
Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, ON. lyiu@uwindsor.ca
Ruggirello
Tina
T
D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004324:Drama; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011287:Prejudice; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011822:Race Relations / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends*; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012922:Social Change; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires