The Culture/ Learning Style Connection: Educating for Diversity, Class Summarization

Abstract:

The article The Culture/ Learning Style Connection: Educating for Diversity focuses on the relationship between culture and learning styles. This is a very controversial topic as most discussions about culture and diversity tend to be. The idea that all students learn differently is made even more complicated by throwing in the idea that an individual’s culture have an effect on their learning styles as well. A persons’ culture can influence the way they are taught by parents and their preferred method of learning, amongst other things. Therefore, the article says that ideas have been raised about educating teachers on cultural diversity. The idea that truly knowing a student, including their background and culture, makes is really important that teachers use multiple teaching strategies. The issue here is that there is a thin line between people connected by cultural characteristics and stereotyping a specific culture. As teachers, we must see every student as an individual. Teaching students about culture and diversity is important and can occur inside and outside the classroom. Although the article does generalize learning styles for some cultures, it is made clear that not every student of a certain culture will support those learning styles. As the debate continues, the important thing to remember is that all children learn differently, whether due to their culture or just individuality. As teachers, from all different backgrounds and cultures, we much accommodate for all those different styles and provide opportunities for all learners.

Reflection:

After reading everyone’s reflections on this article, it is clear that while some people agreed with everything Guild said, others were disgusted by his broad assumptions and generalizations, creating a wide range of discussion about the article. A lot of us said that it is obvious that all students have different learning styles, and this article shouldn’t have to tell us that. There is one huge commonality between everyone in the class: Every student is an individual with specific learning styles. Even members of the same culture will have as many differences in learning styles as they do commonalties. As teachers, if we truly understand learning styles and believe that every student can learn, then we offer every student the opportunity to learn.