Pedagogical Communication

BLOG #3- Pedagogical Communication- September 22nd, 2024

Have you ever looked around and wondered how we, as humans, learn and pass down our culture in ways that seem so unique compared to other species? Tomasello's (2016) work emphasizes how humans engage in cultural learning through social interactions, particularly the role of authoritative figures in teaching. Pedagogical communication, discussed by Tomasello, is the deliberate and organized method of sharing knowledge and information between individuals, which can be seen in children, where authority figures, such as adults, impart cultural knowledge to children.  Pedagogical communication is a key component of how humans learn and can help answer many questions regarding the uniqueness of human culture. For the purpose of this blog, I will share my perspective as a university student to explain the topic of pedagogical communication in a more relatable way. University students use pedagogical communication frequently, inside or outside of the classroom setting. For instance, when you and your classmates are working on a group project, you might encounter a theory that one of your peers understands better than the rest of the group. This student then explains the concept using authority cues, such as stating, 'The professor emphasized this point,' to establish credibility. In this scenario, you and your group mates are engaging in pedagogical communication, as your peer not only reinforces their own understanding of the material but helps you and other group members grasp the concept as well. Although this example may not directly relate to sharing cultural knowledge, it demonstrates how pedagogical communication manifests in day-to-day situations. To reflect on Tomasello’s work surrounding pedagogical communication, I encourage you to answer this question: How do you think the way you communicate with friends and family influences your understanding of social norms and cultural values in your daily life, particularly in terms of the authoritative cues you use when teaching or sharing information?

Reference

Tomasello, M. (2016). The ontogeny of cultural learning. Current Opinion in Psychology, 8, 1-4. 10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.09.008