Funds of
Knowledge:
Inquiry-Oriented Approach to
Professional Development
OVERVIEW
Presenters Vivian
Garcilazo, Dr. Carmen
Mercado and Dr. Ana Celia Zentella discussed the importance of knowing the
backgrounds of
one's ELL students in order to provide appropriate support and to create a
challenging and engaging learning environment.
ISSUE
Pioneered by Dr. Luis Moll
and colleagues at the University of Arizona, "Funds of Knowledge" is
a form of culturally responsive teaching.
It seeks to improve participation and heighten students’ interest
by using an inquiry-based method that draws upon their home and community
resources.
APPLICATION
Individually,
teachers:
·
enter students’ homes as learners
·
conduct household interviews and
observations
·
identify knowledge, skills, and practices that enable
modest income families to live their lives
As
a study group, teachers:
·
reflect on the meaning of their
findings
·
develop “webs” to visualize the funds of
knowledge held in households and communities
·
collaborate to devise appropriate teaching
practices
·
apply practices in the
classroom
·
reexamine practices in terms of their influence on
student participation
·
become funds of knowledge for one
another
RESULTS
·
community knowledge is
validated
·
relationships between students, families and teachers
are strengthened
·
teaching-learning process is
improved
·
teacher commitment is
reinforced
·
educational excellence is
supported
Moll, L.C., Armanti, C.,
Neff, D., & Gonzalez, N. (1992).
Funds of knowledge for teaching: Using a qualitative approach to connect
homes and classrooms. Theory into Practice, 31 (2), 132-141.
Gonzalez, N., Moll, L.D.,
Floyd-Tennery, M., Rivera, A., Rendon, P., & Amanti, C. (1993). Funds of knowledge for teaching in
Latino households. Urban
Education, 29 (4),
443-470.