Aboriginal Ways of Learning and Learning Styles
Aboriginal Ways of Learning and Learning Styles Conference Paper
Association for Active Research in Education
- Author(s): Hughes, P, More, A
- Published: 1997
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to further investigate the usefulness of the concept of Aboriginal ways of learning, and learning styles, as one approach to improving educational opportunities for Aboriginal Australian students. We define 'ways of learning' as the mental processes and instructional settings which a student uses while learning, and we define 'learning style' as a way of learning in which the student has a strength. At conferences and seminars, Aboriginal people consistently raise their concerns that schooling outcomes for their children are woefully inadequate. Aboriginal cultural customs, values and codes of behaviour are an essential part of the lives of Aboriginal people. Yet they are obliged to send their children to mainstream schools where these customs, values and codes are usually ignored. Not only the teaching styles, but the very cultural basis and assumptions of the schooling is often inconsistent with their cultural background. Most educators agree that a major role for education is the transmission of a society's culture from one generation to the next. Many Aboriginal people are upset that this process is usually denied to them.
- Urls: http://www.aare.edu.au/data/publications/1997/hughp518.pdf
- Publisher Location: Brisbane