Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY

The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

Philippine Normal University – National Service Training Program 11

Literacy Training Service (PNU-NSTP LTS)

Module 10 – Cultural Sensitivity in the Community

Prof. Mary Leigh Ann C. Perez

Module Description
This module is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of cultural
identities which will help in promoting cultural awareness in the community through the
development of empathy, sensitivity, and volunteerism.

Objectives
The module aims to:
1. Define culture and discuss its characteristics.
2. Identify the indicators of culturally appropriate development.
3. Develop documentation of their personal realization of their knowledge and
understanding of cultural sensitivity.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students are expected to:
1. Write a reflection paper about the value of cultural sensitivity in getting involved in
community development.
2. Document their personal realization/ experiences about cultural sensitivity through
digital storytelling.

Module Proper
Activity
“Unity in Diversity”

There is a saying that reminds us that “No man is an island” and as a social being, interaction
with others is a good practice. This module, Cultural Sensitivity in the Community, will help you
appreciate the value of getting involved in building community participation for better
development and understanding of your social responsibility as a Filipino

The objectives of this part of the module are:

1. Develop personal concept of culture.
2. Enumerate related ideas that are related to culture.
3. Create a handprint collage.

This part of the module will require all of you to collaboratively work as a whole group. To
begin with, the following materials need to be prepared in advance.

 1 piece manila paper (for the entire class)

 poster paint of various colors (can be brought by individually or shared)
 (paint) brush (can be brought individually or shared)
 scotch tape
 marking pen (can be shared)

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

Procedure:

1. The whole class will be participating in this activity and as such all are required to
follow the following guidelines:

1. Relax.
2. Do not think.
3. Be spontaneous.
4. No communication among members of
the class is encouraged during the
activity.

2. In this activity, you are going to create handprints collage. A collage is an assemblage of
different forms which creates a new whole. In this activity, your hand prints will be
used to create a collage.

(At this point, poster paints and paint brush(es) will be laid down at one part of the classroom)

3. You are going to start with your thoughts about the word –

You are going to give an interpretation of the

word “culture” by using a specific color which you will use to paint your palm. Then, you are
going to put your handprint on the manila paper.

4. Please follow the guidelines in doing the activity. Take turns in imprinting your hands.
Remember that you are not encouraged to talk with each other during the activity but,
you can observe and strategize where you are going to put your imprint.

5. After the collage is created, take time looking at your collective work. Then, answer the
following questions:

How did you feel about your

created collage?
What challenges did you
experience in the process of
creating the collage?

What do you think causes the

challenges?
How did you overcome the
challenges?

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

What do you think is the reason of

using different colors in creating
the handprints?
What do you think is the symbol
that the handprint represent?
(Depending on the created collage)
How would you interpret your
work in relation to “culture”?

6. The session will end when all of you have written in your handprint a specific word that
best capture your thoughts about the concept of “culture”?

Analysis
“The Navigation”

Your concept of “culture” is the beginning of your journey towards a better understanding of
culture and how important it is to all of us. This part of the module will help you develop a
clear understanding of culture as the term is defined by experts.

The objectives of this part of the module are:

1. Identify the factors that comprise culture.
2. Enumerate the elements of culture.
3. Discuss how culture influences the quality of life of the people in a community.

For your references, please open the following links:

 “What is culture?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckvxK9y7YhA
 “What are the elements of culture?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0IqjUlRzJ0

Procedure:
1. Open the link of the 1st video to answer the following questions?

How did Edward B. Taylor define

culture?

What comprises culture?

How do we develop culture?

What are the characteristics of

culture?

2. Open the link of the 2nd video and let us learn more.

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

What are the elements of culture?

How does culture influence the quality of life of the people in the community?

Abstraction
“Finding my Place”

The concept of knowing and understanding culture is a strong foundation in getting involve in
the community however, the path that will lead to a successful community involvement is not
that easy. This part of the module will enable you to explore the role of cultural sensitivity in
the community.

The objectives of this part of the module are:

1. Characterize culture and relate it to community involvement.
2. Enumerate acceptable and unacceptable behaviors in the community.
3. Develop a character sketch of an effective community developer.

For your references, please open the following link:

 “Indicator of Culturally Appropriate Development”
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001204/120456Eo.pdf

Procedure:
1. Your leaning experiences in the previous activities enabled you to have a basic
understanding of culture. At this point, let us strengthen your understanding of cultural
sensitivity in the community.

2. Having a better understanding of culture can play a significant role in raising your
quality of life in the community where you belong. UNESCO (1982) defined culture as:

“the whole complex of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and

emotional, features that characterize a society or social group. It
includes not only the arts and letters, but also modes of life, the
fundamental rights of the human beings, value systems, traditions
and beliefs.”

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

The above definition stated that culture encompasses a variety of factors which made up an
entire unit. It is not bits and pieces of factors that stand alone rather, it is an integration of
many elements.

Eyford, H. & Eyford, G. (1995, p. 16) have characterized culture as:

“A whole complex”
 an integrated, synergistic whole;
 the webs of significance that man has spun for himself;
 like an iceberg, the greatest part of it lies hidden beneath the surface of conscious
though;
 the hidden cultural rules that defines the way in which people view the world.

“Spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional”

 a particular combination of ideas, images, stories, values and feelings that inspire
people to live and behave the way they do;
 evident in mythology, the window through which we can catch a glimpse of the deepest
and most hidden part of our cultural make-up;
 embodied in language, grammar and words which often suggest a unique perspective
on reality;
 a distinctive way of thinking and learning about the world.

“Arts and Letters”

 manifest in its most uplifting and ennobling sense in artistic expression;
 nurtured and directed by art, whether painted, carved, sung, danced or written.

“Mood of Life”
 constantly changing and evolving when healthy;
 not something that can be preserved in a museum;
 often mistaken for the manifestations of culture – the dress, handicrafts, tools, etc. –
which can be preserved;
 can only be changed or revised by cultural insiders.

In this NSTP course, a window of opportunity will be given you to experience the feeling of joy
and accomplishment of a community developer. Your training will equip you to have a
meaningful learning experiences that will prepare you in your community involvement.

Eyford, H. & Eyford, G. (1995, pp. 19-24) have provided the necessary indicators of culturally
appropriate development.

Participation.
It is necessary that the identified community has ownership of the intended project. It becomes
your responsibility to facilitate their involvement. Ensuring active engagement of the
community requires understanding of the community’s “culture.” Most of the preparation
requires knowing the demographic profile of the community. This knowledge will give you an
insight about the characteristics of the people that you will be working with.

The following are suggested expected and unacceptable behaviors when meeting with the
members of the community: (Code of Conduct for Community Group, retrieved, May 30, 2018

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

at http://twwusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/5-Code-of-Conduct-For-Community-
Groups.pdf)

Acceptable Behaviors

 Participate in an authentic and active way.

 Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
 Attempt collaboration before conflict.
 Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
 Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community
leaders if you noticed a dangerous situation, someone in distress or violation of this
conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.
 Remember that community event venues may be shared with members of the public;
please be respectful to all patrons of these locations.

Unacceptable Behaviors

The following behaviors are considered harassment and are unacceptable within the
community:
 Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person.
 Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist or otherwise discriminatory jokes and
language.
 Posting or displaying sexually explicit or violent material.
 Posting or threatening to post other people’s personally identifying information
(“doxing”).
 Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion,
or disability.
 Inappropriate photography or recording.
 Inappropriate physical contact. You should have someone’s consent before touching
them.
 Unwelcome sexual attention. This includes sexualized comments or jokes,
inappropriate touching, groping, and unwelcomed sexual advances.
 Deliberate intimidation, stalking or following (online or in person).
 Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
 Sustained disruption of community events, including talks and presentations.

3. Your cultural sensitivity will greatly affect your learning experience in the community.
According to The President's Initiative on Race (1999), being culturally sensitive means
knowing that differences between cultures, but not assigning values to the differences
(better or worse, right or wrong).

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

4. At this point, you are prepared to create a character sketch of an effective community
developer. A character sketch is a short description of a particular person or type of
person using sensory details.

To the layout
artist, pls improve
this. I need a
female & male
characters

To the layout
artist, pls improve
this. I need a
female & male
characters

Application
“Unstoppable”

The Philippines is rich in cultural diversity. Its 7,107 islands are homes to Filipinos with
distinct culture which was shaped by ties with neighboring countries and colonization yet,
inspite of the diversified culture, Filipinos are admirable people. We have triumphed over lots
of trials and difficulties. We have remained steadfast and unwavering. It is in our culture to
rise up after each fall and to offer our hand to those in need. This part of the module will guide
you in developing insights about the important role of cultural sensitivity in the community to
maximize your learning experience when you start to get involve in community service.

The objectives of this part of the module are:

1. Develop personal insights on the importance of developing cultural sensitivity to
facilitate effective community involvement.
2. Document personal realization/experiences about cultural sensitivity through digital
storytelling.

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

Procedure:
1. You have been prepared to make a contribution to your country by becoming a
responsible citizen through active participation in the community. In your previous
task, you were able to create a character sketch of an effective community developer.
In this module, you will be guided to prepare yourself for this worthy endeavour. Let
us start with your own personal SWOT analysis

Source: Mind Tools Content Team

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_05_1.htm (retrieved, May 30, 2018)

Strengths Weaknesses
Guide Questions: Guide Questions:
 What advantages do you  What hold you back to
have that others do not have? accomplish a task?
 What do you do better than  What is your present
anyone else? apprehension?
 What do others see as your  What do others see as your
strength? weakness?

Opportunities
Guide Questions:
 What will you gain from being
culturally sensitive?
 How would you benefit from
being culturally sensitive?
 How will it contribute to your
teacher training?
Threats
Guide Questions:
 What would discourage you to
develop cultural sensitivity?
 What inhibit you from being a
community developer?
 Could any of your
weaknesses lead to threats?

2. You are going to work with a partner to share your personal SWOT analysis. Sharing
your work with others will help make you realize that you are not alone in your
apprehensions and anxiety.
3. After the sharing of personal SWOT analysis, you are going to consolidate your
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. At this point, you and the entire class
will try to provide possible ways on how to reinforce strengths, overcome weaknesses,
maximize opportunities, and eliminate threats.
4. You are basically equipped to visit a community and have a meaningful learning
experience. As you venture into your 1st step towards community involvement, I want
you to keep a documentation of your learning experience. Take photos for
documentation and make sure that your photos are adequate enough to create a
narrative or a story. You are going to use the photos in creating a digital storytelling of
your learning experiences. Do not forget to choose an appropriate theme song that
would best capture your learning experiences.

References
Code of Conduct for Community Groups at http://twwusa.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/01/5-Code-of-Conduct-For-Community-Groups.pdf (retrieved, May
30, 2018)

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph

 Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY
The National Center for Teacher Education
Taft Avenue, Manila
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND EXTENSION OFFICE

Eyford, H. & Eyford, G. (1995). Involving culture: a fieldworkers’s guide to culturally sensitive
development. UNESCO. Cternational Development Agency (retrieved, May 30, 2018)
The President's Initiative on Race. (1999). Pathways to one America in the 21st Century.
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Appendix

+ 63 2 317 1768 loc. 727 cpeo@pnu.edu.ph