BYMarialena Kalyva DragaziCounseling Psychologist

Educating for social change:

promoting democratic values

WHAT GIVES

YOUR LIFE MEANING?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION?EDUCATION?

“It is true that schools have “inputs” and “outputs” and that one of their nominal purposes is to take human “raw material” (i.e. children) and convert it into something more valuable (i.e. employable adults).”

The Education Dilemma(Edited by a member of the World Bank)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EDUCATION?EDUCATION?

“Education is supposed to be the process by which we engage people in their fullness to give them a sense of who they are and their capabilities so they can lead a life that means something to them and to the rest of us.”

Sir Ken Robinson

How well are young people prepared for life?

How well are young people being prepared to coexist meaningfully with others and contribute to their society?

How well are young people being prepared to think, assess and act responsibly about issues that affect not only their own lives but the whole world?

HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE OUR SCHOOLS?

POPULATION EXPLOSION

Our education system:- is based on conformity.- has stereotypes about what counts as

ability.

THE “SILENT” CRISIS

Human beings are diverse.

Human communities depend on a diversity of talents to survive and not a singular perception of ability.

The humanities and arts are being removed from schools and universities.• ability to think critically• ability to think beyond one’s borders and

approach the world as a citizen of the world• ability to imagine the predicament of another

person• ability to look inward

If we are going to explore the world around us,we have to explore the world within us and we dothat by looking at a broad spectrum of education.

THE “SILENT” CRISIS

Human beings are diverse.

Currently, teaching is being de-professionalized.

In place of curiosity we have a culture of compliance.

THE “SILENT” CRISIS

Human beings are curious.

Children are natural learners.

Our mechanistic conceptions of education kill children’s creativity and imagination.

THE “SILENT” CRISIS

Human beings are creative.

We create our own lives by imagining alternatives and possibilities.

It’s imagination and the power of empathy that makes us human.

Education focuses on giving children data on the external world.

We need time to look inward.

Our feelings are forms of perception and are affected by the way we think.

Education should help us:- to connect with ourselves.- to connect with each other

through the power of empathy.

THE “SILENT” CRISIS

The goal of education → economic growth

The objective of education → to create a group of technically trained obedient workers

Critical thinking and freedom of mind are being discouraged.

Empathy is seen as unnecessary or even as a weakness.

THE “GROWTH” MODELEDUCATION FOR PROFIT

WHAT IS A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY?

“It is more than just the institution of government. It’s a way of living together, of learning to cooperatively agree and disagree non-violently, and of appreciating and learning from diversity and of coming to support one another for the good of the whole. In this sense, democracy demands of its people the socio-emotional skills and ethical dispositions as well as cognitive capacities to participate in a whole range of interactions.”

John Dewey (1916)

We need to educate youngsters about: Respect- for myself- for others Responsibility- for my decisions and choices- for their impact on myself and on others- for global social issues Freedom (of person, thought, belief,

expression)- the ability to think critically about issues

affecting myself/the society/my country/the world, to reflect, argue, debate

Rights (a collectively shared set of values)

- to accept, acknowledge, respect the rights of others

EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY

We need to educate youngsters about: Rules and conflict- What policies/laws/rules of many types mean

for the opportunities and experiences of others.

- accept that conflicts are normal- problem-solving skills, create a culture of

argument, understand fairness of conflict resolution, importance of compromises

Equality- acknowledge that others have equal rights

even if different in race, gender, religion, sexuality

Participation- understanding of issues, getting informed,

makingcareful evaluations, taking social action

EDUCATION FOR DEMOCRACY

It is extremely important to understand and accept human beings’ vulnerability, imperfection and the inability to control.

Teach compassion and empathy. Imagine the world through the eyes of

others and understand and feel their feelings. Only in that way do they become real and equal to us.

Strengthen the sense of personal accountability by treating each child as a responsible agent.

EDUCATING CITIZENS

People who can’t think and argue for themselves are easily influenced.

Break away from rote learning. Each student must be expected to make an active and creative contribution to classroom discussion.

Our current education system encourages passivity. The less the teacher talks, and the more the students talk, the better.

Help students to actively ponder big questions in life and develop the ability to detect fallacy.

PROMOTING CRITICAL THINKING

The ability to imagine what the experience of others might be.

The ability to imagine other possibilities. Innovation requires minds that are

flexible, open and creative. Arts and games are

the way to get kids to come to school eagerly.

CULTIVATING IMAGINATION

Global economy has tied all of us to distant lives.

Education should equip us:- to function adequately as citizens of the

world.

- to understand other cultures.- to evaluate history narratives.- to learn a foreign language.

EDUCATING ABOUT GLOBAL CONCERNS

Curricular content has moved away from enlivening the imagination and instigating critical thought, towards material necessary for test preparation.

We all agree about freedom of speech, respect for difference, understanding of others

BUT we don’t think that we need to pass them on to

the next generation and how.

If this approach continues

- technically trained people with no critical thinking

- useful profit makers with dull imaginations

CALL TO ACTION

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Socrates

Thank you!Thank you!

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