Vygotsky says society and culture influence thought. I thought it was interesting in the video when they mentioned how everyone has the same capacity of knowledge and learning, but they are learning differently depending on where they are. The farmers know how to tend the crops and animals. People in the schools know... something else? How to speak and read English... whatever good that does right now. I agree with some of the opinions that it's sad that the elderly who live on the farms believe they don't know anything. The theory stresses the interaction between developing people and the culture in which they live. Students are often learning about how western culture is great which could make them view their culture as sub par and make them feel like they have a lower quality of life equating to less happiness. Since the societal view of Indian culture is negative, they may be negative about their identity.
2. What are your reactions to this film? Has it changed your perspective in any way?
2. What are your reactions to this film? Has it changed your perspective in any way?
I'm a little frustrated with the video. I feel they've had some interesting points and it's opened my eyes a little bit... but it's no reason education is failing there!! They have no economy for them to be educated into. What will education do if the education they have doesn't help their society become better? They need to learn how to take baby steps. They need to learn less about America and how great it is and more about what's great about their country and what they can do over there to enhance their own society.
3. What was the most powerful moment in the film for you? Why?
3. What was the most powerful moment in the film for you? Why?
It was when the male teacher was teaching about mirrors. The students weren't really responding, and he didn't seem particularly educated himself. You can't teach anyone if you don't know what you are doing. He was standing there and reading and repeating the same line several times. The students had no context for what was going on. Leaning isn't about sitting in a classroom. It's about being involved in something. Kids need to be doing something to learn. In one part of the video, it was mentioned that they were taken away from nature and learned about it with pictures in textbooks. I don't understand why they are teaching that way. If they are going to learn about nature, then nature needs to either be brought in the classroom or the students need to go outside and learn for themselves!
4. Is anything like this happening in the United States? Explain.
I'm not sure. This could be related to minority cultures. They are often times learning literature from the white perspective. They don't relate to what's being taught and don't seem to fit in either culture. When they get to the work field, there are many positions filled with white people and few for anyone with color. Teachers need to learn how to teach to each student and not be stuck in one way of teaching. The world is changing... education should too.
4. Is anything like this happening in the United States? Explain.
I'm not sure. This could be related to minority cultures. They are often times learning literature from the white perspective. They don't relate to what's being taught and don't seem to fit in either culture. When they get to the work field, there are many positions filled with white people and few for anyone with color. Teachers need to learn how to teach to each student and not be stuck in one way of teaching. The world is changing... education should too.
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