Editor: You've taught the Cultural Diversity course online for several quarters.
What started your interest in cultural diversity?
Ann Sirota: I was born in Egypt and I have a very multicultural background. My grandparents were Greek Jews who immigrated to Egypt at the beginning of this century. My mother's family were Sephardic Jews who went from Spain to Italy to Greece to the Middle East. I came here as an immigrant in the late '50s when the expectation was that you assimilated as quickly as possible. I struggled with that issue for many years and even as I tried to assimilate I never felt that I completely belonged.
About ten years ago, I began to read a lot about multicultural issues and I really started to feel more connected, you know, like all of the pieces were finally falling into place. And I started to understand why I always felt like an outsider. The more I understood, the more I began to feel that I could straddle both cultures and be comfortable in both worlds. What I want to convey to teachers is that who you are as a person is strongly influenced by the culture you come from. We as teachers need to respect and validate the world our students come from. We need to help our students keep what they have - not eliminate it - and at the same time adapt to the American culture.
ED: How did you get involved in online education?
AS: Actually, kind of through the back door. The Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development certificate had been offered through the UCLA GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION STUDIES several years ago and I participated in the courses. I was most interested in the cultural
diversity course that I participated in "on-the-ground." I expressed my interest to my instructor that I wanted to teach the course and she put me in touch with Kathy McGuire, the Director of the Distance Learning Unit over at UCLA Extension. None of the spots were available for the traditional courses, but Kathy said "why don't you come teach online for us?" I was so interested in teaching this course that I agreed. My computer skills were not extensive but I had been using e-mail for years and loved it, and I had worked with the Internet, though I wasn't an expert by any means. I agreed to try and I had four months to get ready.
It was a little frustrating at first, but everyone at both UCLA Extension and OnlineLearning.net were very helpful. Actually, after I started teaching online I realized I loved it. It is so convenient. The online format also facilitates honest and open discussion in the class.
ED: Its interesting that you mention that because I've heard other instructors and students share that view. Why is that?
AS: I think people find that they are comfortable speaking out and speaking their minds online. They don't know their classmates personally. Being responsive is important online. I think email gives people an opportunity to express themselves in words. Some people have been incredibly open and honest. Sometimes I say, "I don't agree with you but I thank you for being honest enough to share."
I find that for the teachers their most interactive and responsive times are during the summer, when they aren't teaching full-time and have a little bit more time to engage in online dialogue. There have been some terrific students who are very, very thoughtful and really bring out some good issues. And sometimes there are people I disagree with that introduce really good things to think about and I have a great exchange with them. The evaluations I receive from the students at the end of the course often tell me about how this course opened their eyes and introduced them to new issues. And there have been times that I myself have revised some of my ideas based on what my students have said. So, the learning continues on both sides, which is what I think education should be.
ED: Is there a particular kind of student who is drawn to these online courses?
AS: I get a lot of teachers with families and small children. People who are so busy
during the day that to go to a class at night is truly not convenient. Some of my students also live far from UCLA. For example, I have had students in my class from Michigan, Brazil and Australia.
ED: When do you actually teach online?
AS: I have a "day job," just like my students! I work full time on campus at UCLA. So, I work on my online class from home, when it is most convenient for me, normally late at night, between nine and twelve. A lot of weekend time, too.
