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Cultural orientations and collaborative learning.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of cultural orientations on collaborative learning. Cultural orientations were measured in four dimensions: horizontal collectivism, vertical collectivism, horizontal individualism, and vertical individualism. It was found that student cultural orientations affect student satisfaction with collaborative learning. Student satisfaction was found to be positively and moderately related to group grades. The effect of learning styles was also investigated. It was further noted that collaborative learning could accommodate students of various cultural orientations and learning styles. In comparison with lecture, collaborative learning was found to be a more effective instructional method. This article concludes by noting that it is important for college instructors to inform students about their cultural orientations and to use sound instructional designs to better prepare students for collaborative projects.

Introduction

In recent years, student-centered learning, such as collaborative learning, has received unprecedented scholarly attention because of its increasing popularity on college campuses. Although the benefits of collaborative learning are well documented in literature (such as Johnson & Johnson, 1999; Caropreso & Haggerty, 2000), the interplay between cultural orientations and group process in the context of college education has not been examined, while the impact of cultural orientations on group decision making, leadership, conflict resolution, and employee relations is well documented in management literature. Given that both collaborative learning groups and work groups in organizational settings are task-oriented groups, it is thus important to examine the effects of cultural orientations on collaborative learning groups so as to explore ways to better utilize collaborative projects for both students and instructors.

First of all, what are cultural orientations? Cultural orientations were acquired through the socialization process from childhood to adulthood and very much affect how an individual will interact with people in the rest of the society. One important aspect of cultural orientations is individualism and collectivism. Individualism stresses independence and individual reward, while collectivism views the needs and goals of the group as more important than one's own needs and goals. Singelis et al. (1995) further made theoretical and measurement distinctions between vertical and horizontal individualism and collectivism. Vertical collectivism (VC) perceives the self as a part of a collective and accepts inequality within the collective, particularly the notion that age and experience determine the status of an individual within the collective. Horizontal collectivism (HC) perceives the self as part of the collective, but stresses equality. Vertical individualism (VI) perceives an autonomous individual and accepts inequality as the result of an individual being more superior to others because that individual is willing to work harder than others. Horizontal individualism (HI) sees individuals as autonomous and emphasizes equality. Cultural orientations were found affecting communication patterns. For example, collectivists exhibited more supportive forms of communication,...