There are two kinds of time; Monochronic and polychronic. Those whose lives are dictated by schedules, appointments, and procedures live in monochronic time. They keep appointments. They believe caring for people's time is more important than caring for people. Polychronic people live without schedules. They develop relationships with people. They care more about feelings than they care about wasting time.
Most places in the world are polychronic--business and monochronic cultures seem to go together. Chances are I will teach students that don't even understand the concept of a monochronic culture. I think that there will need to be some compromises on both sides so that we can work together effectively in our classroom. If I am teaching students who are new to our monochronic culture it will be part of my job to help them adapt to the way our country works. Being late will result in consequences just like it would if you missed a bill or a doctors appointment. If I am teaching students who live in a foreign country and are learning English as a foreign language then we would not need to go over time expectations as much. Though I would make sure to be understanding if we had trouble with due dates or time schedules.
I had never really considered before how time doesn't have to dictate our lives. It is something so ingrained into our lives since we were little children--I don't think many American even consider that time doesn't rule all. I think it's interesting how we have been taught that time matters to everyone and that's why it matters so much. If we didn't prioritize our time then we wouldn't matter if people wasted it.
I am a stay at home mom right now. I don't have much in the way of a schedule. I don't start and stop work on a time clock or even regiment my time into a schedule. I think I might be polychronic with my time in some ways where it doesn't ultimately matter what happens when, but I am very monochronic with other peoples time. I hate being late to things--I'd much rather be insanely early than keep someone waiting. Although some of that is not caring enough about my time and timing how long it takes to travel somewhere.
I thought the most interesting part of the video was how Dr. Ivers explained how connections matter most. Because they don't have the same opportunities that people in America have, they have to rely on connections to gain what opportunities they can. Caring for peoples feelings isn't because they're nicer or less judgemental, but more because they want to not offend someone who's influence and connections they might be able to use to their advantage. Society is more bureaucratic that way in polychronic paradigms.
Watching this video was very helpful for me in thinking about how people are different based on where they come from and what they were taught was important. I hope to be a teacher who can understand that my students don't have the same beliefs, assumptions, and paradigms that I have.
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Most places in the world are polychronic--business and monochronic cultures seem to go together. Chances are I will teach students that don't even understand the concept of a monochronic culture. I think that there will need to be some compromises on both sides so that we can work together effectively in our classroom. If I am teaching students who are new to our monochronic culture it will be part of my job to help them adapt to the way our country works. Being late will result in consequences just like it would if you missed a bill or a doctors appointment. If I am teaching students who live in a foreign country and are learning English as a foreign language then we would not need to go over time expectations as much. Though I would make sure to be understanding if we had trouble with due dates or time schedules.
I had never really considered before how time doesn't have to dictate our lives. It is something so ingrained into our lives since we were little children--I don't think many American even consider that time doesn't rule all. I think it's interesting how we have been taught that time matters to everyone and that's why it matters so much. If we didn't prioritize our time then we wouldn't matter if people wasted it.
I am a stay at home mom right now. I don't have much in the way of a schedule. I don't start and stop work on a time clock or even regiment my time into a schedule. I think I might be polychronic with my time in some ways where it doesn't ultimately matter what happens when, but I am very monochronic with other peoples time. I hate being late to things--I'd much rather be insanely early than keep someone waiting. Although some of that is not caring enough about my time and timing how long it takes to travel somewhere.
I thought the most interesting part of the video was how Dr. Ivers explained how connections matter most. Because they don't have the same opportunities that people in America have, they have to rely on connections to gain what opportunities they can. Caring for peoples feelings isn't because they're nicer or less judgemental, but more because they want to not offend someone who's influence and connections they might be able to use to their advantage. Society is more bureaucratic that way in polychronic paradigms.
Watching this video was very helpful for me in thinking about how people are different based on where they come from and what they were taught was important. I hope to be a teacher who can understand that my students don't have the same beliefs, assumptions, and paradigms that I have.
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Hello Marisa!!
ReplyDeleteWe have one thibg in common! I prefer to be earlier than late too!
Let me just add some light on polychronic people in Argentina: we are friendly and care more on people because is our life-stile, we don't always do it thinkig: Oh! That person can help me some how!!
Contrary to that, sometimes we are very surpriesed being help from people we never expected to received it from. Some people do it, specially in Political matters, but most people can refer you to a job if they know you. For example, if the grocery store owner know you always pay your debts on time, or you are a responsable person, and know you are a kindergarten teacher looking for a job. If he hear that someone is looking for a kindergarten teacher, your name will be mentioned, even if you never asked him for help. Thats how it works in my country!!
Thank you for share your view, it helps us to keep learning from each other.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Marissa - I am fairly OCD about being on time, myself. I get frustrated when I am asked to be at a meeting, I show up on time, and the person in charge of the meeting is late... It is nice these days, to have a smart phone at my disposal, so I can do something while I wait for all the late people to show up... Trying to overcome this frustration for the sake of my future students...
ReplyDelete