Online

Abunaib, Asma Ali M.

Leadership and Developmental Sciences

2019

Ed. D.

Although education theory in general includes important insights related to the relationship between multiculturalism and pedagogy, a critical analysis of what are considered culturally responsive western adult education methods, such as Experiential Learning Cycle & Dialogue Education (ELC) suggests significant adaptations should be made when applied in settings with non-western learners. This paper highlights the challenges and opportunities of utilizing adult education methods as a framework in delivering learning opportunities in non-western settings or for non-western, new American communities in western settings. Specifically, the author discusses her experience in one Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Darfur, Sudan, presenting her findings from her critical analysis of ELC, as well as her experience designing and facilitating financial capability curriculum for Somali-Bantu women in Chittenden County, Vermont with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Financial Futures Program. Implications from this analysis are also addressed, including the importance of further exploring assumptions held by the conceptual underpinnings of culturally responsive adult learning methods (including Dialogue Education and ELC) and adapting training-of-trainer (TOT) models and financial capability workshops to account for significant cultural differences between learners and the methods intended for use with diverse audiences.