In one the search is for the best university, in another for the best guru, in the third for the best thinker. However, the structure of the past does not so easily disappear. For example, in modern secular Indian culture, the traditional structure remains with the State and elite academic institutions now playing the role of guru. Even eschewing or controlling for civilizational and cultural differences, individuals learn differently. Some are analytic, others are synthetic.
Genders also know and learn differently.
In contrast to the individualistic style of men, research seems to support that women prefer learning in groups, working in win-win situations to achieve desirable outcomes. However, we are not arguing from an essentialist position either with respect to civilization, ways of knowing, or individual styles. Differences in how we teach and learn are structural, based on our varied evolutions. Holistic pedagogy, even while it aspires for a unity of discourse, must first unravel these differences. Teaching multi- culturalism then is far more than ensuring that one's educational faculty is from diverse backgrounds.