Philosophy

Is there a problem with current educational philosophy?

“Public education has become the business of training children and youth to enter the global market place as consumers and workers.”

Gruenewald, D. and Smith, G. (Eds.). (2008) Place-Based Education in the Global Age.

At worst, education, driven by the ‘Standards’ agenda, works to a similar agenda as that of corporate capitalism. Media and advertising reinforce individualism which inevitably leads to uprooting, lack of participation, economic dependency and community breakdown.

A curriculum for the future?

We know that our children will have to face the potentially devastating realities of climate chaos, resource depletion, international conflict and population displacement.

They will also need to survive social epidemics such as alcohol abuse, violence, obesity and unwanted pregnancies. What sort of educational approach could possibly save our young people, our communities, our planet?

Important educational developments

There are three broad areas in which recent developments in educational theory and practice might have some impact on these issues;

Teaching and Learning; It is crucial that educators get better at engaging, motivating and empowering young people.

Yet, improving pedagogy whilst retaining an irrelevant curriculum is just ‘getting better at doing the wrong thing’!

Citizenship; It is crucial that our young people develop a sense of social justice and a desire to contribute to society.

Yet, attempting to squeeze another subject into the crowded curriculum treats each issue in isolation and fails to get to the heart of the problem.

Sustainability; It is crucial that the next generation commit to sustainable ways of dealing with energy, food, waste etc.

Yet, doom-laden global scenarios often immerse people in guilt and fear or render the issues too large and too distant.