Culture & EducationMelanie Tannenbaum, Ph.D.

SOC 463/663Spring 2015

The Learning Gap

!

PISA: Programme for International Student Assessment

PISA 2000: 15 year olds, Math

PISA 2000: 15 year olds, Science

PISA 2012

– Video

– Key findings

– AFT video

– Newshour

BUT

Challenges and Changes in Japan

Disrespect toward teachersOverworked students

Sleeping in classStudent aggression

BullyingDrug useSuicideConcern with falling levels of student competency

Remedial courses at the university level

Lack of individual brilliance

Lack of creativity

Movement toward less standardized testing!

(Some) American Strengths

Creativity

Avoid excruciating competition

American universities

– James Fallows

“If we have to out-cooperate and out-sacrifice the Japanese, we may as well quit. We need to find our own tools.”

– The Learning Gap, p. 20

“Taking an interest in Asian education does not mean that we should, or can, adopt the successful aspects of Asian systems of child-rearing and education. They are adaptive for the cultures

in which they exist, and our problems are not going to be solved by importing Chinese or Japanese culture.”

Discussion Questions

If American teachers took similar approaches…as Japanese teachers, would we get the same good outcomes? Or would

other cultural factors make them less successful?

Other than Japan/China, are there aspects of other countries' educational systems that we could and should

adapt to our own?

Discipline

Discussion Questions

What type of disciplinary strategies do we have in our schooling system?

Discipline in Japanese Preschool

1. Peers are extensively involved in managing misbehavior

2. Teachers attribute positive motives to children

3. The goal is understanding, not compliance

4. Misbehavior seen as inadequate attachment to school community

Discipline in Japanese Preschool1. Peers are extensively involved in managing misbehavior

• Emphasize values of friendship, kindness, and community

• “We’re all in this together.”

2. Teachers attribute positive motives to children

• They “forget promises” or “don’t understand,” not “break rules.”

• Shift attributions for own behavior; more felt responsibility

Discipline in Japanese Preschool3. The goal is understanding, not compliance

• Understanding why certain rules are essential is critical

• Opportunities to deepen understanding & perspective-taking

4. Misbehavior seen as inadequate attachment to school community

• “Acting out” often a symptom of not feeling connected to others

• Kids who are disruptive often praised later, to strengthen bonds

– Japanese First Grade Teacher in Lewis (1995)

I don’t want to create children who obey because I’m here.

I want children who know what to do themselves, children who learn to judge things themselves.

Disciplinary actions appeal to feelings

Strengthening relationships, internalizing values

“The farmer worked hard to grow these vegetables for you.”

American parents often just assert authority

Control immediate behavior through reward/punishment

“Eat your vegetables because I said so!”

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Discipline in Japanese Preschool

Pros

Teachers can remain benevolent, nurturing, and warm

Sanctions from peers may feel more “natural,” less contrived

May pose less of a threat to “good child” identity

Cons

Children’s moral judgments tend to be harsh & punitive

If teachers “stand by,” isn’t it like condoning/tolerating cruelty?

Peer Discipline: Good Idea?

Classroom discipline is central in American classrooms

Discipline in preschool/elementary school

United States Compliance with general rulesTeacher as “enforcer” of rewards and punishments

Japan Understanding rather than complianceTeacher as “discussant” of transgressions

Discipline

Discussion QuestionsWould praising American children who are misbehaving give them the attention they want and lead them to keep

acting out? Or would this technique work in American schools as a means of strengthening connections to the

community and eliminating bad behavior?

I thought it was interesting that the Japanese use rule-breaking as an opportunity to help the child understand his/her transgressions, rather than as an opportunity for

punishment. Would the United States be able to implement these same kinds of practices?

What would American parents do if aspects of these teaching styles were enacted in the US?

Could aspects of these practices (e.g., the “hands-off” approach to discipline) be enacted in the U.S., or

would it be too controversial?

Discussion Questions

Other Differences

In-classroom practicesRole of peersRole of teachersAuthority etc.

Outside-of-classroom practicesHomeworkInvolvement of and support by parents

PedagogyOrganization of schoolingCurriculum/requirements

Educational Practices

Child IdentityJapan: Children can mean no harmU.S.: Behaviors reflect intentions

Ability/Implicit TheoriesJapan: Primarily incremental theoryU.S.: Primarily entity theory

Assumptions

Both U.S. and Japan think that education is important, but…

Japan High involvementDaily/weekly updates on childrenEducation is a matter of school and home

United States Involvement varies a great dealPTAs sparsely attendedEducation is a matter of the school

The Role of Parents

If all it takes [to improve education] is parental involvement, why are more parents not involved in

their children’s educations?

How do you even try to “change” or better family values to help a child succeed?

Discussion Questions

The Learning Gap: Possible Solutions

Refine the function/purpose of schools

Define educational goals; assert the “role” of parents

More equal access to education, not just best & brightest

Reallocating spending

Teacher salaries!

Emphasize effort (not ability) beliefs

Higher value on education

The Learning Gap: What Schools Can Do

Decrease teaching load for elementary school teachers

Improve teacher training

Implement educational research

Teach to “the group” — less individual seatwork

Could possibly even increase class size and have it be a benefit

Make textbooks more interesting/relevant

More free time/recess during the school day

Eliminate tracking

Respect the “age of innocence”

The Learning Gap: What Families Can Do

Become involved in children’s schools

Create a home environment that’s conducive to studying

Strong indications of interest & concern

Make realistic assessments & raise standards

Could the Japanese approach to education be introduced in the U.S.? Which parts of it would

work? Which parts wouldn’t work? Why haven’t we done this yet? What could we do to implement it?

The Big Question…