Psychological and Pedagogical Conditions for Creating the Learning Environment in the Multiethnic Space of the University

Abstract

The present research featured the psychological and pedagogical conditions that shape the learning environment in the multiethnic space at university. The article focuses on the methods and technologies that develop a multiethnic learning environment based on the psychological phenomena of leadership and group norms. These methods evolved from psychological theories of leadership, norm formation, and small group development. The article also describes how these methods and technologies can be implemented in practice in order to provide the most favorable environment in conditions of ethnic diversity. The technologies include directing leader’s activity and developing group norms. The first technology sets behavior patterns and develops personal qualities of the leader while attracting other students’ attention to his or her activities. The method of developing group norms includes instruction, group discussion, private counseling on intercultural issues, and teacher’s own role model. Methods and technologies for creating a favorable learning environment are based on the need to bring up an ethno-oriented personality. These methods affect psychological characteristics of students, especially those associated with the ability to modify one’s behavior for beneficial intercultural communication. In the context of the multicultural learning practice, the educational tasks of the selected technologies of psycho-pedagogical interaction are to immerse students in the cognitive multicultural process, thus using the multicultural environment of the university as a factor of self-development.