In an
article “Experiential Knowledge vs. Book/Classroom Knowledge,” Filippa
Solomon describes the difference between Sami education and Western education. Solomon
notes key learning styles that the traditional Sami culture valued, and
compares it to the Western educational system. The Sami culture valued
experiential knowledge (knowledge gained by performing specific jobs),
apprenticeships (knowledge passed down from older generations to younger
generations, and storytelling (knowledge of ethics and morals). In contrast,
Western education was based mainly on bookwork. The differences between both
educational systems can be best described by Solomon’s statement:
“While the western system of classroom/book learning
leans on theoretical learning methods and places a value on how you fulfill the
expectations put on you, the Sami way of learning is more of a truth, one that
is tested on a day-to-day basis.”
Looking at the difference in valued knowledge can
also show the difference between Sami education and Western Education. The
article states that the Sami mostly value knowledge that is critical, and
Western cultures value all knowledge even if it is not vital to the complete
understanding of a topic. Solomon ends the article by talking about how the
Western ways are already reaching the Sami, so the Sami will have to keep a
strong cultural identity to share their views and knowledge with the world.
Filippa Solomon
Experiential Knowledge vs. Book/Classroom knowledge, http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/dieda/socio/exper-book.htm
Accessed July 21, 2013.
Experiential Knowledge vs. Book/Classroom knowledge, http://www.utexas.edu/courses/sami/dieda/socio/exper-book.htm
Accessed July 21, 2013.
Reflection:
ReplyDeleteThe Sami people have a unique way of life. As a smaller culture, the Sami have been able to keep some of their traditional ways of life. However, I could not comprehend why the Sami culture would value such an odd educational system. I have always thought that the Western educational system is excellent (or at least gets the job done), but that might be a little biased because I have never learned through a different educational system. When I read the article I couldn’t help but feel that the Sami educational system was a bit inefficient. How could anyone learn everything they needed to know through storytelling or apprenticeships? A little while later it finally hit me though. The Sami people valued their strange educational methods because it is a part of their cultural identity, and once they lose their educational system a part of their culture dies. I might not have understood the gravity of the situation before, but now I can understand why the Sami people value traditional ways of education.