5 Areas of Culture
When most individuals think of culture, they think of ethnic culture. Ethnic culture and culture associated with intersectionality (LGBTQ/Feminism, etc.) is an important component of cultural responsiveness. In order to effectively apply cultural responsiveness, practitioners have to develop an understanding of the four other areas of culture in the learning environment that are influenced by or create or illicit cultural responses from those within the environment. In total, there are five essential crucial cultural responsiveness areas: Academic Culture, Collaborative Culture, Cognitive Culture, Community Culture, and Ethnic and Intersectionality Culture (ACCCE).
Academic culture refers to the shared values, norms, practices, and behaviors within an educational institution, whether it’s a school, college, or university. It encompasses the collective way of thinking and operating within the academic community. Here’s a breakdown of how academic culture includes policy, planning, announcements, and curriculum:
- Policy: In the context of academic culture, policies refer to the rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the operation of an educational institution. These policies often cover areas like student conduct, grading systems, academic integrity, admissions, and more. Academic culture is shaped by these policies as they set the standards for behavior, academic expectations, and the overall climate within the institution.
- Planning: Planning within academic culture involves the strategic decisions and initiatives taken by the institution to achieve its educational goals. This includes decisions related to infrastructure development, faculty recruitment, program expansion, and long-term objectives. The culture within an academic institution influences how planning is conducted, including the emphasis on research, teaching, or community engagement.
- Announcements: Announcements are a part of the communication and information dissemination process within an academic institution. These may include news, event notices, changes in policies, and other important updates. The manner in which announcements are made, the tone of communication, and the prioritization of certain messages are all influenced by the prevailing academic culture.
- Curriculum: The curriculum is at the core of academic culture. It encompasses the subjects, courses, and educational content provided to students. Academic culture shapes decisions about what to include in the curriculum, the teaching methods employed, and the assessment processes. The culture of an institution also plays a role in determining whether the curriculum is more traditional or innovative, interdisciplinary or specialized, and research-oriented or practice-oriented.
Community culture within an educational context refers to the shared identity, values, norms, and behaviors that exist among the members of a learning community, whether it’s a classroom, school, or educational organization. It fosters a sense of belonging and encourages a positive learning environment. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
- Sense of Community: A sense of community is the feeling of connectedness and belonging that individuals experience within a learning environment. It’s the belief that one is part of a larger, supportive group with shared goals and values. A strong sense of community fosters engagement, motivation, and a positive attitude toward learning.
- Sense of Belongingness: Sense of belongingness is closely related to the sense of community but focuses on the individual’s perception of being accepted and valued within the community. It’s the feeling that one is an integral and respected part of the group. When students, teachers, and staff feel a strong sense of belonging, it leads to a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
- Community Norms: These are the established standards of behavior and conduct within the learning community. Community norms help define what is considered acceptable and expected behavior. They can include rules, etiquette, communication standards, and mutual respect. A well-defined set of community norms provides a framework for respectful and cooperative interactions.
- Community Values for Learning: These are the shared beliefs and principles that guide the community’s approach to education and learning. These values can encompass a commitment to academic excellence, a focus on character development, an emphasis on collaboration, or an appreciation for diversity. Community values for learning shape the educational priorities and goals within the community.
Collaborative learning culture, the emphasis goes beyond mere cooperation. It’s a culture that values shared decision-making and collective problem-solving, where individuals come together to achieve common goals. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this collaborative culture:
- Time for Social Norming: Within a collaborative culture, there’s a profound recognition of the importance of strong working relationships. Consequently, dedicated time and effort are allocated to facilitate social norming. This entails activities that allow team members to forge personal connections, nurturing trust and camaraderie that, in turn, enhance the effectiveness of collaboration.
- Getting to Know Each Other: Collaborative cultures place a premium on understanding team members as unique individuals. This involves delving into each other’s strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and work styles. It might entail engaging in team-building exercises, sharing personal stories, or simply creating opportunities for casual interactions.
- Norms about Leadership and Power Sharing: Hierarchical or authoritarian leadership styles often give way to shared leadership and power sharing in a collaborative culture. Decision-making becomes more inclusive, with various team members actively contributing to the process. Leadership roles might rotate, or teams may adopt consensus-based decision-making.
- Establishing Meaningful Contributions: Collaborative cultures strive to ensure that every team member’s contribution is both meaningful and valued. This entails recognizing and harnessing each individual’s unique expertise and perspectives. Contributions aren’t merely about individual achievements; they’re about how collective efforts lead to success.
A collaborative learning culture brings a host of advantages. It nurtures enhanced creativity, fosters improved problem-solving, bolsters employee or student engagement, and cultivates a more inclusive and positive learning or working environment. It not only encourages a sense of ownership but also the shared responsibility for the group’s outcomes. Moreover, it underscores that collaboration is not merely a convenient method of work; it’s a philosophy that enriches the overall experience and yields more effective results.
Cognitive culture in an educational context refers to the shared norms and values associated with the various ways in which students think about, perceive, and organize information. It encompasses the collective beliefs and practices within a learning community regarding cognitive processes, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, information processing, and knowledge acquisition. Here’s a detailed explanation:
- Norms: Cognitive culture establishes the accepted standards and expectations for how students should approach thinking, learning, and cognitive tasks. These norms might include the emphasis on critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, creativity, or analytical skills. For example, one norm could be the encouragement of open and critical discussion, fostering diverse viewpoints.
- Values: Within cognitive culture, there are shared values that guide the learning community’s approach to cognitive tasks. These values reflect what is considered important and worthy in terms of cognitive development. Values may prioritize independent thinking, the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual curiosity, or collaborative problem-solving.
- Information Processing: Cognitive culture can influence how students process and make sense of information. It might shape the methods and strategies students employ when studying, researching, or analyzing data. For example, a cognitive culture valuing holistic understanding may encourage students to seek broader connections in their studies.
- Perception: This aspect focuses on how students perceive the world and learning experiences. Cognitive culture can impact how students view the significance of different information sources, the relevance of topics, and the degree of critical analysis applied to new ideas.
Let’s explore these concepts and how they can impact perceptions of academic, collaborative, cognitive, and community culture:
- Ethnic Culture: This refers to the cultural traditions, practices, beliefs, and values associated with a specific ethnic or cultural group. It encompasses aspects like language, religion, customs, and historical experiences. Ethnic culture is often a significant part of an individual’s identity and can influence their worldview and behavior.
- Intersectional Culture: Intersectionality considers how various aspects of an individual’s identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status, intersect to shape their experiences and perspectives. Intersectional culture recognizes that people have multifaceted identities that can impact how they navigate the world.
Now, let’s consider how these cultural dimensions can influence perceptions of different aspects of culture within educational settings:
- Academic Culture: Ethnic and intersectional cultures can influence academic culture by shaping students’ learning preferences, perspectives on the curriculum, and how they engage with teachers and classmates. For example, a student from a specific ethnic background may have distinct expectations about the role of teachers, preferred learning styles, or interpretations of academic success.
- Collaborative Culture: In a collaborative culture, ethnic and intersectional backgrounds can influence communication styles, teamwork dynamics, and conflict resolution approaches. Different cultural backgrounds may lead to varying levels of assertiveness, negotiation strategies, or comfort with leadership roles within collaborative groups.
- Cognitive Culture: Ethnic and intersectional backgrounds can affect cognitive culture by influencing how individuals approach problem-solving, critical thinking, and information processing. For instance, cultural differences can shape how students analyze and interpret information or how they engage with complex concepts.
- Community Culture: Within the learning community, ethnic and intersectional backgrounds can influence social dynamics, inclusivity, and interpersonal relationships. Individuals from diverse backgrounds may bring unique perspectives and experiences to the community culture, impacting norms, values, and approaches to conflict resolution.