On American and Chinese Higher Education

Abstract

The main differences between American and Chinese higher education are displayed in administrative system, teaching methods, curriculum, assessment and moral education. However, the two countries also have enlightened each other for the past periods in educational idea and other aspects of higher education. The two countries both have advantages and shortcomings, so they open to each other and take into some advanced ideas and measures that will make great contributions to the rapid development of higher education

How Different Cultural Background Influence Students’ Learning Method

“…China's complete education system should back to December 1977, when the Chinese government reinstated the college entrance examination system. Different from before, "the recommended systems for the entrance of higher education" [9], this system means that students who graduate from high school pass exams to enter different universities. Students who do well in the college entrance examination can enter good universities and easily find good jobs after graduating from good universities.…”

“…But with the development of the educational system, and more and more comparisons with the European and American educational systems, people gradually find the problems brought by this educational model: First, such a system determines that students must study the same subjects. As there are too many required courses, forcing all students to develop at the same pace [9], it is difficult for students to choose the suitable courses according to their hobbies and interests. Moreover, since the subjects of the exam are fixed, schools do not offer classes unrelated to the exam.…”

“…Finally, most subjects are still taught in the traditional way, that is, students remember what the teacher tells them. Teachers lack the guidance of students' active thinking, which leads to the phenomenon that Chinese students can only answer questions without exploring them [9].…”

“…Compared with the Chinese education system, the American education system has experienced marked democratization of development. The democratization of higher education has been one of America's greatest achievements since World War II [9]. And the most important characteristic of the democratization of the education system is that it has a diversity of views.…”

“…And the most important characteristic of the democratization of the education system is that it has a diversity of views. First, compared to 1900, when only 4 percent of high school graduates went to college, today, 75 percent of Americans do [9]. Because in addition to opening their admissions to white, middle -and working-class men, colleges are increasingly opening their entrances to white women and minority students.…”