Week 5 - Kuma and Hall

Kuma - Chapter 4 & 5:

After finally reading the right chapters (I had read chapters three and four instead), I came to the realization that I really like Kuma’s style of writing. His scenario in chapter four made me chuckle and see the absurdity of the investigator’s conclusion. Being Asian, I definitely have experienced some stereotyping. Many people think that because of my cultural background I am intelligent, quiet, and obedient. However, there have been instances in my life that I have proven the stereotype quite wrong. I am not saying that I am not any of these characteristics, but I do easily fall into them as well.

As a “foreigner,” or a non-native American, I am more sensitive to the needs of people who are of different nationalities. I am more conscious of the stereotypes and how that makes people feel. I think that being Asian has helped me to be able to connect well with other people who are a minority. Kuma’s readings has confirmed for me that I need to continue to be conscious of people’s differences. Every person is different, whether it is their nationality or their character, everyone is yearning to be accepted.

Hall - Chapter 4 & 5:

One point that really stuck out to me while reading chapter four was Hall’s point that “effective learning begins with making learning culturally relevant and meaningful to learners” (p. 75). I read that was like, “duh!” Of course students learn better when the material is made more relevant to them; any person will be able to remember information better if it is geared towards their learning style and made relevant to them.

I think that it is important to gear the material and lesson in a way that involves the students; gets them involved and active. For example, I learn best when I am doing something with my hands. I am more of a kinesthetic learner and learn best when I am actually doing the project or whatever the assignment is. I liked Hall’s idea of creating a school system that is geared more towards student’s needs and way of learning.

The only question I would have of this idea would be, what if the school system is focused so much on gearing the material towards the students that they loose focus of actual learning, of the standards that the school is required to teach?