Promoting of Student's Cultural Understanding in General Education: Contradictions and Solutions

The study is devoted to the clarification of the content and learning approach for the promoting students' cultural understanding in general school education. The aim of the study is to systematize the different curriculum designs and pedagogical approaches aimed at the development of learner's cultural understanding, and analyse their suitability for particular educational purposes. In the article, the concept cultural understanding is analysed theoretically, in the context of transmissive or transformative learning in order to help the all participants of general education (including teachers, politicians, teacher educators, researchers and school students) by clarifying the typical educational approaches and appropriate terminology for promoting the students' cultural understanding in general education. Empirical data come from interviews with educational experts and 72 surveys with pre- and in-service teachers. As a result of the study, the theoretical model of the promoting the cultural understanding in general education curriculum was constructed. The model will be useful for combining the content and approach of learning for promoting the student' s cultural understanding in accordance with particular educational goals in general school practice, teacher education and education policy.