Hartmann on Cultural Consideration and Motivation (2:01)

Hartmann: Even though learning styles can be individual, our preferences for learning reflect also the dominant learning style that our society uses to develop and to implement the educational system.  Therefore, not only does each individual state his/her own each individualistic style of learning, but also that which he or she has learned within or as a member of his or her own cultural environment and society.  When I speak of learning styles I define by cultural background, we are referring to cognitive styles.  In other words, the way we perceive and process information.  We could be referring to relational styles.  In other words, the way that a learner and an instructor relay or communicate or modes of communication style that are culturally defined and displayed by the individuals that learn and the instructors.  In terms of an educational environment, when we think of cultural differences, whether they’re based on ethnicity or gender or age, we also need to consider the motivational differences, the reasons why the learner is in that educational setting, his or her reasons for learning, for wanting to acquire and process that information.