How does culture influence education?
Culture has a strong influence on how education is viewed and approached
by students, faculty, family and the community.
For example, Asian American students tend to be quiet in class and consider it inappropriate to make eye contact with instructors. In contrast, European American students are taught to value active classroom discussion and to look a teacher in the eye as a sign of respect. They are also taught to ask questions and express their personal opinions; whereas, Asian Americans are hesitant to demonstrate these classroom behaviors. Without understanding these differences in beliefs, dependent upon the beliefs of the teacher, Asian Americans or European Americans may be viewed as disrespectful.
Culture has an impact on parental involvement in education. For example, Hispanic families tend to regard instructors as experts and rely on instructors to make educational decisions for their children. In contrast, European American families tend to be more visible and actively participate in the classroom. These differences could lead to a teacher to make inaccurate judgments about Hispanic and European families and their involvement or lack of involvement in the classroom.
For example, Asian American students tend to be quiet in class and consider it inappropriate to make eye contact with instructors. In contrast, European American students are taught to value active classroom discussion and to look a teacher in the eye as a sign of respect. They are also taught to ask questions and express their personal opinions; whereas, Asian Americans are hesitant to demonstrate these classroom behaviors. Without understanding these differences in beliefs, dependent upon the beliefs of the teacher, Asian Americans or European Americans may be viewed as disrespectful.
Culture has an impact on parental involvement in education. For example, Hispanic families tend to regard instructors as experts and rely on instructors to make educational decisions for their children. In contrast, European American families tend to be more visible and actively participate in the classroom. These differences could lead to a teacher to make inaccurate judgments about Hispanic and European families and their involvement or lack of involvement in the classroom.
