Chapter 6, based on the definition of culture, began to discuss the influence of culture on students’ learning, mainly focusing on learning style and preferences and communication style. Learning is the core of the discuss of culture. Through adequate examples, it has been discovered that students from different background or culture learn in different ways. Teachers and schools should understand that the statement of “differences are not deficiencies “ and “Equal is not the same”. Yet, to enable the teachers to bridge the gap , they should follow up the Triple AAA, that is acknowledging the differences that children bring to school such as their gender, race, ethnicity, language, social class, sexual orientation, abilities and talents and so forth; admitting the possibilities that students’ identities may influence how they experience and, hence, how they learn; accepting differences and making provisions for them. (refer to Nieto & Bode page 171)
Also, with many evidence supported on page 173) it has been emphasized that identity is not an absolute state of being but rather a variable that is constantly shifting and changing. Any unchanging theory could result in school failure or more problems. Otherwise, students who differ from dominant or mainstream group might be devalued. In addition, the communication style may influence students’ learning in more ways, such as discourse logic and dynamics, social functions, norms of interactions, and so forth.
Teachers and schools should be unaware of these differences and the impact they have on learning may result in cultural conflict. Furthermore, they must realize that individuals differ in the specific profile of intelligences that they exhibit and these differences may be influenced by what is valued in their culture. The examples on page179 to 180 make this statement more evident and firm. Modification can be made in communication style, program design, direction to encourage and support students’ learning of diverse background, and connection between culture and the sociopolitical context of schooling. Critically, even though some culture-specific accommodations are taken into account, still limitation exists. First, the diversity of the student population in most schools mitigates culturally specific modifications. Secondly, it might lead to segregation and inequality as well. So teachers who want to provide all students with a caring and healthy learning environment must take into account the diverse background and identities, learn about and from the students, make appropriate and necessary accommodations and promote them learning.
It has been years since I came to this country. I am actually very touched by any of the critical statement because I have experienced it. For many years of living in this country, I have been learning what American culture is? What the culture of domination group is? Should I give up or forget my own culture or background to be adapted to the so-called American culture? I am from China. In my country, like most Asian countries, everybody gets used to the solely domination culture and you never feel bothered by any other alien cultures nor realize to learn what multicultural education is about ? The USA , instead , is a country characterized by multicultural or diversity. In the classrooms of China, students’ learning style exposed to be listening and memorizing. However, in America, Students are expected to ask questions and speak in front of the class and group work is normally seen every day. If you keep silent in the class, it will become strange and odd. The professors would not understand why you always keep so quiet? He or she will be wondering “ No question? Not understand? Do not like the teacher? Or something else. “ In most Asian countries, students respect the teachers in a manner of being obedient. In comparison, the students here feel free to speak up or answer back. More importantly, I really experienced the varied philosophies that people follow. But, in my opinion, none of these values is innately right or wrong.
In short, the awareness of the cultural influences on learning is very important. the issue of diverse cultures is a realistic problem in the USA. It consists of people with varied background, inheriting diverse cultures, such as African, European and Asian. Now it is getting to form its own so-called American cultural, an example of Hip Hop on page 174 shows a good support. As schools, as a role of education and culture delivery site, teachers, as an important role of cultural agent, both should take responsibilities to critically think and take into account the background and identities of their students when teach and communicate. Modifications should be made in many aspects, such as policies and practices, manners, attitudes , interactions, delivery style, discourse logic and dynamics, the curriculum and role expectations for from a nuances, teachers and schools can make a BIG difference.
Also, with many evidence supported on page 173) it has been emphasized that identity is not an absolute state of being but rather a variable that is constantly shifting and changing. Any unchanging theory could result in school failure or more problems. Otherwise, students who differ from dominant or mainstream group might be devalued. In addition, the communication style may influence students’ learning in more ways, such as discourse logic and dynamics, social functions, norms of interactions, and so forth.
Teachers and schools should be unaware of these differences and the impact they have on learning may result in cultural conflict. Furthermore, they must realize that individuals differ in the specific profile of intelligences that they exhibit and these differences may be influenced by what is valued in their culture. The examples on page179 to 180 make this statement more evident and firm. Modification can be made in communication style, program design, direction to encourage and support students’ learning of diverse background, and connection between culture and the sociopolitical context of schooling. Critically, even though some culture-specific accommodations are taken into account, still limitation exists. First, the diversity of the student population in most schools mitigates culturally specific modifications. Secondly, it might lead to segregation and inequality as well. So teachers who want to provide all students with a caring and healthy learning environment must take into account the diverse background and identities, learn about and from the students, make appropriate and necessary accommodations and promote them learning.
It has been years since I came to this country. I am actually very touched by any of the critical statement because I have experienced it. For many years of living in this country, I have been learning what American culture is? What the culture of domination group is? Should I give up or forget my own culture or background to be adapted to the so-called American culture? I am from China. In my country, like most Asian countries, everybody gets used to the solely domination culture and you never feel bothered by any other alien cultures nor realize to learn what multicultural education is about ? The USA , instead , is a country characterized by multicultural or diversity. In the classrooms of China, students’ learning style exposed to be listening and memorizing. However, in America, Students are expected to ask questions and speak in front of the class and group work is normally seen every day. If you keep silent in the class, it will become strange and odd. The professors would not understand why you always keep so quiet? He or she will be wondering “ No question? Not understand? Do not like the teacher? Or something else. “ In most Asian countries, students respect the teachers in a manner of being obedient. In comparison, the students here feel free to speak up or answer back. More importantly, I really experienced the varied philosophies that people follow. But, in my opinion, none of these values is innately right or wrong.
In short, the awareness of the cultural influences on learning is very important. the issue of diverse cultures is a realistic problem in the USA. It consists of people with varied background, inheriting diverse cultures, such as African, European and Asian. Now it is getting to form its own so-called American cultural, an example of Hip Hop on page 174 shows a good support. As schools, as a role of education and culture delivery site, teachers, as an important role of cultural agent, both should take responsibilities to critically think and take into account the background and identities of their students when teach and communicate. Modifications should be made in many aspects, such as policies and practices, manners, attitudes , interactions, delivery style, discourse logic and dynamics, the curriculum and role expectations for from a nuances, teachers and schools can make a BIG difference.
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