Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
POSTMODERNISM & EDUCATION - Coggle Diagram
POSTMODERNISM & EDUCATION
Generally postmodernists are critical of mainstream education as it's too restrictive & offers little choice. The national curriculum tells schools what to teach & GCSE's are compulsory in state schools. Therefore, postmodernists like alternative to schools & lots of choice within schools
They stand against universalising education systems, 'if there is no one truth, then it is not appropriate to have one size fits all education system'. Modernist education is oppressive to man students, students give up their freedom for 11 years to learn knowledge which will improve their life chances- this doesn't work for everyone
They prefer: Homeschooling (more choice on what to teach), Liberal forms of education (EG Bedales), Adult education & life long learning (adults can make more choice), education outside formal education (leisure)
MORROW & TORREZ 1995: Said that class is no longer relevant as people can choose their own lifestyles
FOUCAULT (conflict postmodernist): argues that schools are like a panopticon prison- coersive power 'discplinary society', fearing we're always being watched so being lawful at all times (eg cameras, teachers on patrol)
FRAGMENTATION- means that society is now in different fragments, and so do not have shared norms & values. Just like we pick n mix our identity, we need to pick n mix our education. Success in modern society is tech based- being creative & making a new social media app is more likely to give you success so all the other theories like functionalism & marxism are outdated
Postmodernists argue that the economy has shifted away from assembly-line ass production & is now based on 'flexible specilisation', where production is customised for sma specialist markets. This post-frodist system requires a skilled, adaptable workforce able to use advanced technology & transfer their skills rapidly.
Post-Fordism calls for a different kind of education system. Instead of preparing pupils to be low skilled, low paid, obedient workers, education must encourage self motivation, tech savvy, self-supervision & creativity
FORDISM= A system based on mass production & mass consumerism
MOORE & HICKOX1994: stated that it's impossible to provide a curriculum that suits everyone, either a national or vocational curriculum, because of social changes that are taking place in society
SUMMERHILL SCHOOL: Teacher & pupils are seen as equal, very democratic, optional lessons. Not oppressive, more choice
BEDALES: No GCSEs. 2 year course assessed constantly & only 1 exam. £37,000 per year
AO3- Marxists like Althusser would be concerned about whether everyone really has access to these alternatives. WC could never afford
EVALUATION
STRENGTHS
Acknowledges that education could be more initiative & creative & help the wider society
A very contemporary theory, helps understand a changing society
WEAKNESSES
Marxists would be critical- saying it ignores class & inequality
They overstate the degree of choice