Influence of Culture on Students’ Awareness of How and Why They Learn

Abstract

Purpose-The reason many Asian students fi nd student-centred learning challenging may be due to cultural factors present in every human interaction between individuals. This study attempts to determine the infl uence of these cultural factors on students' awareness of how and why they learn. Method-A sample of 12 students enrolled in a two year diploma course in a Malaysian university was interviewed, using a semistructured interview protocol, on the students' perceptions and experiences when learning. The results were analysed qualitatively using the interpretive approach. Findings-The results show that students rely on their teachers for information, implying a high power distance as well as low individualism, and are not inclined to explore on their own. These students readily approach their friends rather than teachers for help with their assignments. They also hold their parents' opinions in high regard. Signifi cance-The results of this study are important for teachers when implementing student-centred learning. It will be challenging for Malaysian students to respond well to this form of learning strategy as it requires a certain amount of independent learning as well as risk-taking behaviour which these students seem to lack.

Validation of Teaching and Learning Guiding Principles Instrument for Malaysian Higher Learning Institutions

“…Our related study (Nurulhuda & Azwani, 2014) has shown that more than 80% of the educators in the sample maintained the traditional mode of delivery, the i.e., by using standard lecturing where they explained the materials while students passively listened and perhaps took notes. A study by Siew et al (2015) showed that students in one of the Malaysian universities relied on their educators for information and were not inclined to explore on their own. A more learner-centred approach to teaching and learning where students have to be actively engaged during a lesson would be challenging to implement, given this prevalent scenario.…”