In terms of culture....
I think that only educating a person about their own cultural preferences can be a very dangerous thing. Without teaching others about different cultures and ways of life, we would become a very narrow-minded culture, and in theory, we would be reversing the past 50 years or so of 'multi-cultural' work that we are trying to bring into our society- teaching foreign languages, discouraging racism etc. Without teaching people about these different cultures, we would be regressing to a racist, narrow-minded time that we should (and have!) left behind us!
Especially with today's digital advances, we are more and more able to talk to people from other countries, and learn things from them. I can't see that this is anything but a positive thing! He are broadening our horizons and have the opportunity to learn about all the different cultures of the world. As professor Puncky Heppner suggests “We are all living in cultures with different norms. Culture affects human behavior. The more we learn about other cultures, the better teachers, mentors, scholars and therapists we can be. Ultimately, understanding different cultures makes us better people.” (Jackson n/a)
In terms of person preference....
I can understand slightly more why there could be advantages. For example, those children who are in need of extra help (dyslexia etc). Surely that counts as a personal preference? In which case by all means, they should be receiving a different education to that of other children...not in terms of what they learn, but in terms of how they learn it. I think that is the most important point here. All children should learn the same, the only thing that should be altered to help them, is the way in which different children learn it!
This has been recognised at some schools: 'The Comenian Programme has been developed to support our academically most able and creatively-talented pupils. We help individuals realise their full potential by nurturing their aspirations and guiding motivation.' (fulneckschool.co.uk), and with help like this being offered, these sorts of 'tailored needs' I think can be beneficial!
Sources:
Jackson, K (na), ‘Understanding other cultures has broad benefits’, University of Missouri, http://education.missouri.edu/news/articles/2008-FA/pr_nb_2008_08_28_heppner_apa_award.php [accessed 25/3/09]
(na) (2009) 'Tailored education', Fulneck School, http://www.fulneckschool.co.uk/tailored-education/ [accessed 25/3/09]
Hey hun!
ReplyDeleteI found your post really interesting! I've just posted mine, but after reading yours it makes abit more sense to me!
I couldnt agree more with what you say, as I think if we were to tailor education in cultural terms, we would be regressing. I think its neccessary to know about other cultures, especially in todays age as we live in such a multi cultural and diverse society
hey rach,
ReplyDeleteit took me a while to figure it out too...it seemed a bit...general!
But if that is what it means, yes, it would be like going back in time to a narrow minded age! not what we want!
x
I Like your idea about narrow mindedness, and i also agree that it can be quite dangerous too, I know what you mean if we didn't learn about other cultures I think we'd get a shock if we went abroad and experienced a culture for the first time.
ReplyDeletePrensky is not about tailoring education's content -but its delivery. What might be the problems with that? (Look at the grey notes on the righthand side of the page)
ReplyDelete