School Culture |
Aboriginal Cultural View |
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In large school settings, there is a tendency
to treat learners impersonally.
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This impersonality of school can be interpreted as dislike,
since it violates the value placed on the individual.
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Non-Native learners may perceive
Native learners' interpersonal distance as hostility and may not respond in
a friendly way.
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Interpersonal style is respect for autonomy and independence of others.
Individual differences are best respected by maintaining a high degree
of interpersonal distance, particularly with strangers.
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There is more of a tendency to offer advice without being
invited to do so.
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Native learners may feel insulted by non-Native response. |
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Task achievement is frequently considered more important
than developing close, harmonious personal relations. Traditional schools
tended to value competition over co-operation.
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Social harmony is preferred over task achievement. |
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Emphasis is placed on maintaining considerable physical
distance between teachers and learners as socially correct.
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Native learners feel more comfortable with close distance in interactions
with teachers and others who are liked.
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Teaching methods have traditionally emphasized lecture
and note taking. These activities have taken place in restrictive settings.
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May learn best by concrete demonstration by elders and experts. |
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Routines are rigid and time
factors strictly adhered to.
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Routine is flexible and selfdetermined. 15 |
15 Barbara St.Goddard and Linda North. CHI KI KEN DA MUN: So you
should know. National Adult Literacy Database [on-line], Fredericton,
New Brunswick. Available: nald.ca/CLR/chikiken/intro.htm
[March 1, 2003] Used with permission of Barbara St. Goddard.