Monday, 25 August 2014
Social Reconstructivisim- Implications to the Jamaican Education System
Social Reconstructivisim- Implications to the Jama...: Social Reconstructivism is a contemporary student-centered educational philosophy characterized by the teaching of social reform in hopes o...
Social Reconstructivisim- Implications to the Jamaican Education System
Social
Reconstructivism is a contemporary student-centered educational philosophy
characterized by the teaching of social reform in hopes of forming a more just
society. Reconstructivism has roots in Dewey philosophy in which students learn
by doing, that education is the tool to raise awareness and to teach students
to work effectively in a democratic society.
Social reconstructivism is particularly germane in today’s shrinking
world. As its name suggests, the social reconstructivist’s philosophy of education
asserts that society needs to be
changed (reconstructed) and that schools are the ideal instrument to foster
such changes. Social
reconstructivists believe that world crises require the use of education to
facilitate the development of a new social order, one that is truly democratic
in nature. Schools are seen as agents of the reformation of society rather than
as transmitters of knowledge.
Social Reconstructivism has some implications for the Jamaica society; students at all levels of the education system have encountered some type of social orientation that may have affected them either positively or negatively. In the classroom environment, one of the teacher’s role is to explore social problems, suggest alternate perspectives, and assist students’ examinations of these problems. Therefore teaching from a reconstructivist curriculum encourages students to respond to any challenges they may have encountered during their previous orientation. It enables greater participation and facilitates an environment of teamwork with our local schools. The Jamaican educational system would/can benefit from social reconstructivism. It can bring about social changes in our society. People would be able to express themself on sensitive topics without fear of anyone harming them. If Jamaica is to compete in the international arena moving towards such a system will significantly catapult us in that way. As Jamaicans, I think we already have very strong moral values; we believe strongly in community and take pride when our community members excel, be it in academics or sport.
Social Reconstructivism has some implications for the Jamaica society; students at all levels of the education system have encountered some type of social orientation that may have affected them either positively or negatively. In the classroom environment, one of the teacher’s role is to explore social problems, suggest alternate perspectives, and assist students’ examinations of these problems. Therefore teaching from a reconstructivist curriculum encourages students to respond to any challenges they may have encountered during their previous orientation. It enables greater participation and facilitates an environment of teamwork with our local schools. The Jamaican educational system would/can benefit from social reconstructivism. It can bring about social changes in our society. People would be able to express themself on sensitive topics without fear of anyone harming them. If Jamaica is to compete in the international arena moving towards such a system will significantly catapult us in that way. As Jamaicans, I think we already have very strong moral values; we believe strongly in community and take pride when our community members excel, be it in academics or sport.
Some of the strengths of Social Reconstructivism include:
1. Students
in a reconstructivist-style classroom are engaged in activities and experiences
that will help them find ways to improve relations between people
1. It
emphasizes group work
2. Make
learnes more aware of their society
3. Give
teachers more teaching options and learners innovative ways to learn
Nevertheless
there are however weaknesses to this type of orientation which may include:
1. Provides no real ways in which teachers are to move
from critical thought to critical practice
2. Curriculum is ineffective because one must have a
relationship between learning and teaching that is measurable, such as those
curriculum measured by standardized testing.
3. Create problem for persons who are not group oriented.
4. Although
many people claim that this philosophy is ideal, others argue that standard
curriculum should be the first priority and that measuring student learning in
a reconstructivist classroom is too difficult.
Social
reconstructivism can inform the educational or training programmes by measuring
the activities given in class versus the overall performance of students. Cognitive
conflict techniques can be used to remedy misconceptions; allowing students to
have their own thinking and meanings about conflicts. With the implementation
of this orientation, the educational system in Jamaica would see success with
students being at the forefront and having more hands on involvement in class,
while educators will be able to have more discussions and class participation.
Overall it would create and facilitate and environment that is conducive to
learning.
Sources
Sadker, K., & Zittleman, D. (2007). Teachers, schools, and society: a brief introduction to education. New
York: McGraw Hill.
Anderson, Elizabeth (2010), Dewey's Moral
Philosophy Retrteved from www.plato.stanford.edu/entries/dewey-moral on
03/11/2011
Deborah B. McKay (2001), The Educational Theory of Theodore
Brameld, Retrived from http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Brameld.html on
06/11/2011
John Lyons (2011), Paulo Freire's Educational Theory, Retrieved from http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Freire.html on 06/11/2011
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