Context and Culture of Learning

Course overview

Course Description This course focuses on the rich cultural, contextual, historical, and developmental diversity of learning, and how understanding of this diversity offers ways to improve learning and create optimal learning environments. Recognition is given to the fact that learning is the product of a complex, interactive system of physical processes, which also interact with the complex systems and environments in which individuals live. This course provides a brief overview of developments in thinking about culture and learning, examines how the word culture is used, explains why a sociocultural perspective is important, and briefly describes some key ways that culture is an integral part of development and learning. This course is based upon material published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in How People Learn II Learners, Contexts, and Cultures, and is available as an open access article. This course on the impact of culture on learning is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of the cultural nature of learning. The course material includes a review of the cultural context of learning. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Contributors Committee on How People Learn II The Science and Practice of Learning Board on Behavioral, Cognitive, and Sensory Sciences Board on Science Education Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Learning Objectives This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding culture and learning. Specifically, a professional will Describe developments in thinking about culture and learning Identify how the word culture is used Recognize some ways in which culture is an integral part of development and learning Citation National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2018. How People Learn II Learners, Contexts, and Cultures. Washington, DC The National Academies Press. httpsdoi.org10.1722624783. Visit us online for a full year of unlimited online CEUs.