My first post is the foundation of my pedagogical beliefs
and my interpretations on the purpose of primary education.
There are many definitions of pedagogy. The Oxford
dictionary’s definition is “the method and practice of teaching, especially as
an academic subject or theoretical concept” (Stevenson, 2010, pg. 1309).
However, professor Graham Donaldson’s definition of pedagogy simplifies that
pedagogy is the teaching methods used which adapts to the needs and
developmental stage of the children along with the purposes of the curriculum
(Donaldson, 2015). Donaldson clarifies my pedagogical beliefs that the teaching
and learning experience should be to develop autonomous and creative individuals.
Professor Donaldson set an aspiration that children and young
people should comprise of certain skills and qualities once they leave
education. These are the heart of the four purposes of education which will be
embedded in the life and work of schools. Here is a diagram to present the four
purposes (Donaldson, 2015).
Living in a democratic society, one of the main ideologies for
primary education should be to create an introspective society where the
citizens are capable learners, have the ability to reflect critically and
responsibly make decisions for themselves. Nel Noddings proposed this concept
quoting, “A primary purpose of schooling in a democratic
society is to produce thoughtful citizens who can deliberate and make wise
choices.” (Noddings,
2013, pg.25). This view synthesises impeccably with John Dewey’s thought of how education is highly
associated with democracy and it is important to understand that the end
results in education are not as significant as the awareness of development. A
quote from his book implies that we should not always aspire towards the
goal.
“The process of growth and improvement and progress, rather than static
out-come and result, becomes the significant thing. Not health as an end fixed
once and for all, but the needed improvement in health—a continual process—is
the end and good. The end is no longer a terminus or limit to be reached. It is
the active process of transforming the existent situation. Not perfection as a
final goal, but the ever-enduring process of perfecting, maturing, refining is
the aim in living.” (Dewey, 2012, p.181)
There are many philosophers and theorists whose views
resonates Professor Donaldson’s definition about teaching. Rousseau believed
that children should learn to have the ability to improve their own reasoning
and have the independence to be able to solve problems themselves:
“Teach your scholar to observe the phenomena of
nature; you will soon rouse his curiosity, but if you would have it grow, do
not be in too great a hurry to satisfy this curiosity. Put the problems before
him and let him solve them himself. Let him know nothing because you have told
him, but because he has learnt it for himself. If ever you substitute authority
for reason he will cease to reason, he will be a mere plaything of other
people’s thoughts… ”(Rousseau, 1762, p.126
Paulo
Freire’s work signifies the importance of creative and critical thinking. He
believes that education should be authentic by adapting the tasks to real life
situations, which allows the learners to contribute in projects and learn to
defeat challenges. He quotes,
“problem posing education bases itself on creativity and stimulates true
reflection and action upon reality, thereby responding to the vocation of
persons as beings who are authentic only when engaged in enquiry and creative
transformation.” (Freire, 1996, pg. 65).
This style
of pedagogy is most beneficial as it stimulates the learners to develop their
critical and creative thinking. Freire’s philosophy directly emphasizes
professor Donaldson’s process of reaching the achievement outcomes. In his
report he signifies that effective teaching and learning will play a big role and
he points out 12 pedagogical principles to support this new approach
(Donaldson, 2015).
Although,
the purpose of education in the successful futures curriculum has many benefits,
this notion for the teachers and practitioners to implement into their everyday
teaching “…would require careful consideration, consultation and
planning, as well as sufficient time, resources and support.” (Boorman et al, 2015. pg. 3).
The design of the proposed assessment process could have
some implications from a neoliberalist perspective. There will be less emphasis
on competition and capitalism. The learning outcomes will not be measured to
have a comparison with other schools around the world. Hicks believes that the
purpose of education should be run like a business in order to prepare students
to be competitive on a global scale with a neoliberal approach. There should be
a strong emphasis on exams and the summative results to measure with the rest
of the world (Hicks, 2010).
The concerns regarding the possible reduction in the
comparability of assessment data could have potential consequences regarding
the quality assurance across the whole board. Governors felt there should be a
means of comparison before GCSE to compare with UK and the rest of the world
(Boorman et al, 2015).
References
u Dewey,
J, (2012). Reconstruction in Philosophy. New York: Dover Publications.
u Donaldson, G, (2015). Successful futures: Independent review of
curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. Welsh Government.
u Hicks, D. (2010, July). The long
transition: Educating for optimism and hope in troubled times. In 3rd annual
conference of the UK teacher education network for education for sustainable
development/global citizenship (pp. 1-28).
u Llorenc
0, Yasmin J, Polly S, Paula G & Isabella B, (2015). Successful futures: independent review of curriculum and assessment
arrangements in wales. A report on responses to the great debate. Wavehill
ltd: Ceredigion
u Noddings,
N, (2013). Education and Democracy in the 21st Century. New York:
Teachers College Press
u
Rousseau, J-J. (1762). The social contract. Swan Sonnenschien and co: France.
u Stevenson, A, (2010). Oxford dictionary of English. Oxford
University Press, USA.
No comments:
Post a Comment