Robert L Williams Lecture, Psychological & Brain Sciences: Gloria Ladson-Billings, What in the World are We Thinking? The Place of Culture in Learning

The lecture features Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and one of the nation’s most influential educational scholars. Her talk, “What in the World Are We Thinking? The Place of Culture in Learning,” offers a timely exploration of culture, learning, and pedagogy.

Abstract: For more than 2 decades the National Research Council has been exploring the nature of learning (NRC 2000; 2018). Some of the latest research indicates that learning is not merely an individual human activity that takes place in the brain. Rather, learning is highly contextualized and reflects the context and culture in which we live, grow, and develop. Two dichotomous world views may help explain our different approaches to learning and teaching. On the one hand, Enlightenment thinking, similar to that espoused by philosopher Rene Descartes suggests that our existence is tied to our individual thinking. On the other hand, traditional African philosophy argues that our existence is tied to the existence of others in our community. These very different orientations manifest themselves in how we approach teaching and learning. This presentation discusses how culturally relevant pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 2021) may be a viable pedagogical theory for creating a teaching and learning environment where all students can achieve and contribute meaningfully to a diverse, democratic society.