Question

To what extent does culture influence learning style ? Distinguish between analytic and relational learning styles and suggests how they might vary across sociocultural groups. How might they reflect cross-cultural differences in parenting or teaching practices ?

Answer 1

Culture greatly influences the learning style of a student. Even though it cannot be generalized, however, socialization and cultural experiences often possess approaches to knowledge that are highly functional in the indigeneous home environment and can be capitalized upon to facilitate performance in academic settings. For example, research has shown that white Americans value independence, analytic thinking, objectivity and accuracy. These cultural values translate into learning styles that focus on competition and information.

Analytic learning styles refer to the way of learning in which an individual concentrates, processes and retains difficult information. However, relational learning styles refer to a way of being with students from a social constructionist perspective, where education takes place through learning from each other through the sharing of ideas cooperatively. Analytic learning styles exhibit structured thinking whereas relational learning styles exhibit intuitive thinking.

Today, Analytic learning could be seen in most schools and relational learning could be seen through social networks.

Teachers and parents of a child following analytic learning style needs to use clear understandable language while describing the concepts. Directions must be given step by step to them. Visual aids could be used to teach them and they learn better when the bigger picture is explained after the smaller details are clarified.

In case of a relational learner, there should be intentional communication, brain based instructional practice and thoughtful curricular design. They learn the bigger picture first and then move to the minor details. The teaching strategy should be expressive, practical and open ended. The child would expect valid feedbacks.