Jingyu Yuan

This week we were talking about how family, culture programs and centers, and

religious practices give students opportunities to learn outside of classroom. Learning

outside of the classroom is really important even when we are having higher

education (1994).

Learning outside of classroom includes learning in your family, and sometimes

this learning method is invisible. We definitely learn things from our family because

we have a really tight connection with our family members which is more than blood.

There will be so many family traditions, family histories in every single family. And

those stories are told by every generation. I used to complain about my grandparents

always telling me stories in our family or things happened in their time, but that is

part for the family culture. We may do things different, but we are unique. Every

family has their own tradition, there will be something in common but they will not be

exactly the same. Therefore we learned the history and traditions of our families in

daily life.

Also, storytelling is really important for a family to know their culture. I have

listening to my grandparents’ stories for a long time since I was born. They always

have great stories that are so fascinating. In most culture, the story tellers are always

the elder people in the family and they heard the story from their grandparents (2004).

So the stories will be passed on by the family members in every generation. For

example, my grandpa used to tell my dad our family history, and right now, my dad is
telling me the family history. I learned about our family spirits from the storytelling

like be brave, be warm-hearted, and be positive. These are the things I can’t learn in

the classroom. It is hard for people to recall the stories who from different culture

(1980). For example, when I was telling a Chinese traditional story to an American,

he seems like he got it. However, when he was trying to tell others about it, it would

be hard for him because he only listened to others stead of being part of it.

Learning outside of classroom with your family members could be a great way of

learning. Going to a museum or zoo with family members can help them have more

interactions and beneficial for education effectiveness (1990). My parents used to take

me to zoo and museum a lot, and I feel like I learn better with them around because it

is relaxing and my dad is knowledgeable. I ask him everything and I really enjoy learn

from him. We went to so many museums so many times and I still remember I love

the animal museum the most, and then is the art museum. There were so many

activities at the animal museum such as making butterfly specimen by yourself, or

discover your own piece of dinosaur fossil. These activities just increase the fun leel

of a museum. I can learn and have fun at the same time. But learning with family is

really depends on the cultural factors because different culture has different

understanding (1990). There will not be suitable for every family to learn at this kind

of event, but they still have other way to learn which they need to explore by

themselves.
 References
Mandler, J., Scribner, S., Cole, M., & DeForest, M. (1980). Cross-cultural variance in
story recall. Child Development, 51; 19-26.

Olmedo, I.M. (2004). Storytelling and Latino elders: What can children learn? In
Gregory, E., Long, S., & Volk, D. (2004). Many pathways to literacy: Young children
learning with siblings, grandparents, peers, and communities. NY: Routledge Falmer.

Buld, L.M. (1990). Museum Management and Curatorship. Social interaction and
learning among family groups visiting a museum.

Kuh, G.D. Douglas, K. B. Lund, J.R. Gyurnek, J. R. (1994) Student Learning Outside
the Classroom: Transcending Artificial Boundaries. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education
Report No. 8.