Learning Strategies and Culture: Popular culture and high culture

In the area where I grew up

In the area where I grew up, there was an Asian family from Lebanon. I believed that because they were from the Middle-East, where Islam is the predominant religion, they also practiced Islam. I had no idea, though, that they were Christians until we crossed paths during a townwide interdenominational prayer session. The second-born daughter of the family, Katya, whom I later became friends with, was also introduced to me at this party. It was only later that I learned that they were never Muslims. In this case, my biased judgment which was primarily based on superficial looks meant that I ultimately made the wrong conclusion.

Cultures are always changing

Cultures are always changing as various people mix and exchange various facets of their culture. However, social organizations like state, religion and family are bound to resist this change for a variety of reasons (Gans, 2008). The risks of change seem to outweigh the benefits that result; this means that the change will fail and cannot be affected. Most changes will always clash with the existing values that define a particular culture. Human beings are conservative in nature and tend to resist those changes; those responsible for the changes may not be trusted by their masses.

Cooperative learning

Cooperative learning is an institutional strategy whereby learners work together in groups to achieve a common task, this creates a sense of responsibility for the group effort, while competitive learning is where a student’s goal is achieved through individual effort (Kolawole, 2008). However, this may also mean that other students might fail to achieve their set goals. Critics of this form of learning contend that it may lead to among other things selfishness, aggression, and anxiety which might ultimately lead to cheating.

Westerners are more likely to be cooperative

Westerners are more likely to be cooperative owing to the positive characteristics that accrue to this strategy. Bright students benefit in that they get to cement what they have learnt by playing the role of instructors and student with lower ability get to learn from their colleagues (Matsumoto & Juang, 2016). This learning strategy also promotes the creation of beneficial skills since individual students learn how to be part of a team. In addition to this, students are also able to develop a higher self-esteem as other students support them from a social perspective.

References

Gans, H. (2008). Popular culture and high culture: An analysis and evaluation of taste. Basic books.

Kolawole, E. B. (2008). Effects of competitive and cooperative learning strategies on academic performance of Nigerian students in mathematics. Educational Research and Reviews, 3(1), 33.

Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2016). Culture and psychology. Nelson Education.