journal article

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Article on teaching as a cultural activity. American Educator. These writers have a good idea that seems to go all wrong. Their premise is that teaching must be tailored; is tailored; to fit the culture in which it is done. They use as a comparison Japanese education vs the United States system. As stated, this is done because of the vast differences between the two. They raise many interesting points regarding the approaches taken, such as use of the chalkboard in Japan as opposed to us of the overhead viewer in the U.S. Also, the idea that American teachers feel they must entertain the students while Japanese instructors beleive the subject area should interest the students on its own merits. This is based on the cultural difference that American students are "sound-byte" people and the Japanese are wholistically based with an appreciation for the entire process. While all of these may be true, I have difficulty with the conclusion they come to, which is that we should adopt the Japanese method. By their own reasoning, education must be culturally based. Therefore, if we are to adopt their system, we must change our culture to match theirs. Hmmm? Japanes culture has developed over how many years- 3,500?? Are we to wait 3 1/2 millenia to install their system? Seems a little unrealistic to me. All responses are welcome.

-- Anonymous, February 10, 1999

Answers

John, interesting response to the article on teaching as a cultural activity, and, as usual, you are thoughtful in your response. However, perhaps the authors where not necessarily implying a full adoption of another teaching style, a sort of either/or approach, but to consider the powerful effect of culture upon the learner. Even the Japanese culture is in flux after 3500 years. Culture implies goals, traditions and values. Teaching styles often implicate methods to get at preserving culture. Portions of our teaching systems are greatly influenced by the dominant culture, and, therefore, portions are racist, classist, sexist and intellectually biased to specific learning styles....like our culture. However, if we broaden our culture to become an emphasis upon diverse cultures,therefore, we need diverse teaching systems. Pehaps we are moving more toward experiential, service, project or transformative learning methods as our culture ages. What do you think?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 1999

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