Paddle with Me
This week you’ll be creating a portfolio called “My Paddle Portfolio”. This is a file that will be used as your personal tool throughout the course. Much of the writing you do in the course will go into this portfolio. You will not be sharing this work with anyone except me, Kumu. Please use this tool to save any information you find particularly helpful or of interest to you. This portfolio will be unique to you. What’s important is that you write and complete all exercises as instructed. Also, I hope you feel this is a safe place to write. There will be times when you may be unsure what to write – just write as you would in a journal. Much of the work in this course can feel abstract. It is meant to tickle your thinking. The best way to sort through difficult thoughts is to freely write. What is Kumu looking for? I want to see that you’re thinking and picking up some of the concepts along the way in the course. Also, it is perfectly fine and normal to change your thinking along the way – in fact, I am hopeful your thinking will evolve to new ideas and eye-opening experiences.
This lesson also provides you with an article on the process of cultural competency. In reading this article you should begin to get the idea that cultural competency is not a skill acquired, simply by reading and taking a quiz – it’s a process. We hope the “My Paddle Portfolio” graded activities will assist you through this process. We will be learning more about cultural competency and other concepts related to culturally relevant approaches later in the course.
A Paddler’s Perspective
The concepts of cultural competence and culturally sensitive approaches can be quite complicated. You may find this material to be rather “deep” and introspective. That is completely normal. This is why we teach this course with a place for you to write your thoughts. Many times, writing can help you sort your thoughts. You will find your thoughts may change throughout this course – that shows you’re evolving in your growth on the topic. You are not expected to master these concepts in 6 weeks – rather become more aware, sensitive, knowledgeable and humbled.
Ask yourself… “am I willing to be open and flexible with others, to accept differences and build on similarities, and to be willing to learn from others as cultural informants of their own culture?” the last piece is very important for you to think about and revisit as the course continues.
Review the Required Resources thoroughly BEFORE going through the Graded Activities. Please be aware of the due dates associated with this lesson.
Required Resources
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My Paddle Portfolio Instructions
Follow the steps in this instructional document to create then share your portfolio. You be be adding work to this portfolio throughout the course.
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Campinha-Barcote (2002) The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services: A Model of Care (PDF)
Learning about approaches to a health problem, such as childhood obesity, within the cultural context of the individual, family, and/or community is a process. This article is an introduction to learning about culturally sensitive approaches to health issues. I hope it will help you understand how this process intertwines with the concepts of Cultural Awareness, Cultural Knowledge, Cultural Skill, Cultural Encounters, Cultural Desire and perhaps, Cultural Humility. Although this article is from the Journal of Transcultural Nursing, the concepts are relevant - whether you are a nurse, a researcher, a public health worker, a community liaison or a practitioner.