R. Scott Webster - Böcker

Cultures of measurement are often considered to dominate educational practices, to the degree that, as Biesta (2010) has identified in Good Education in an Age of Measurement we no longer measure what we value, but rather we have become conditioned to value what is measured. A clear example of this occurs when institutions and staff "teach to the test" by emphasising narrow conceptions of learning and of knowledge, simply because the consequences of high-stakes assessments have important implications regarding funding, resources, and even tenure. This collection explores, via various philosophical means, how valuable educational practices can occur within and beyond cultures of measurement. What seems to be required is for practitioners in education to regain their relationship to the overall purposes of education, such as the furthering of justice and democracy for both individual students and societies as a whole. Such a reconnection has the potential to re-humanise curricular experiences for students, which may have become dehumanised through particular cultures of measurement. It is argued that certain legitimate measures can advance justice and democracy, and so careful attention must be assigned to their validity and value.This book was originally published as a special issue of Educational Philosophy and Theory.

The issue of methodology is a fundamental concern for all who engage in educational research. Presenting a series of methodological dialogues between eminent education researchers including Michael Apple, Gert Biesta, Penny Enslin, John Hattie, Nel Noddings, Michael Peters, Richard Pring and Paul Smeyers, this book explores the ways in which they have chosen and developed research methods to style their investigations and frame their arguments. These dialogues address the specialized and technical aspects of conducting educational research, conceptualize the relationship between methodology and theory, and provide in-depth discussion of concerns including falsifiability, openness, interpretation and researcher judgement. Foregrounding the researchers’ first-hand experience and knowledge, this book will provide future and current researchers with a deeper comprehension of the place of theory in education research. An illuminating resource for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers alike, Theory and Philosophy in Education Research confronts the intricate complexities of conducting education research in a highly engaging and accessible way.

The issue of methodology is a fundamental concern for all who engage in educational research. Presenting a series of methodological dialogues between eminent education researchers including Michael Apple, Gert Biesta, Penny Enslin, John Hattie, Nel Noddings, Michael Peters, Richard Pring and Paul Smeyers, this book explores the ways in which they have chosen and developed research methods to style their investigations and frame their arguments. These dialogues address the specialized and technical aspects of conducting educational research, conceptualize the relationship between methodology and theory, and provide in-depth discussion of concerns including falsifiability, openness, interpretation and researcher judgement. Foregrounding the researchers’ first-hand experience and knowledge, this book will provide future and current researchers with a deeper comprehension of the place of theory in education research. An illuminating resource for undergraduate and postgraduate researchers alike, Theory and Philosophy in Education Research confronts the intricate complexities of conducting education research in a highly engaging and accessible way.

Cultures of measurement are often considered to dominate educational practices, to the degree that, as Biesta (2010) has identified in Good Education in an Age of Measurement we no longer measure what we value, but rather we have become conditioned to value what is measured. A clear example of this occurs when institutions and staff "teach to the test" by emphasising narrow conceptions of learning and of knowledge, simply because the consequences of high-stakes assessments have important implications regarding funding, resources, and even tenure. This collection explores, via various philosophical means, how valuable educational practices can occur within and beyond cultures of measurement. What seems to be required is for practitioners in education to regain their relationship to the overall purposes of education, such as the furthering of justice and democracy for both individual students and societies as a whole. Such a reconnection has the potential to re-humanise curricular experiences for students, which may have become dehumanised through particular cultures of measurement. It is argued that certain legitimate measures can advance justice and democracy, and so careful attention must be assigned to their validity and value.This book was originally published as a special issue of Educational Philosophy and Theory.

Caring Confrontations for Education and Democracy makes a compelling case for redirecting current practices of education to focus on being educated rather than having an education. The book offers a detailed analysis of how an education for democracy must encourage commitment to important ideals and strengthen the vulnerabilities of people which make them easily manipulated by politicians and the media. It addresses the need for education that focusses on people’s mode of being, so that in addition to becoming knowledgeable and skilful, people develop the disposition that is more appropriate for democratic living. Through embodying this approach of authentic spiritual growth through education, this book explores the idea of caring confrontations and critical reflection to enable personal change and growth. Providing a thoughtful analysis of the role of education in democracy, the book will be of great interest to researchers, academics, and students in the fields of philosophy of education, educational theory and democratic education.

Caring Confrontations for Education and Democracy makes a compelling case for redirecting current practices of education to focus on being educated rather than having an education. The book offers a detailed analysis of how an education for democracy must encourage commitment to important ideals and strengthen the vulnerabilities of people which make them easily manipulated by politicians and the media. It addresses the need for education that focusses on people’s mode of being, so that in addition to becoming knowledgeable and skilful, people develop the disposition that is more appropriate for democratic living. Through embodying this approach of authentic spiritual growth through education, this book explores the idea of caring confrontations and critical reflection to enable personal change and growth. Providing a thoughtful analysis of the role of education in democracy, the book will be of great interest to researchers, academics, and students in the fields of philosophy of education, educational theory and democratic education.

Often regarded as one of life’s few certainties, death is both instantly familiar to us and deeply mysterious. Death is everywhere, yet few of us take the time to consider its significance in shaping human lives. This book addresses the difficult, complex, sensitive subject of death from a unique point of view. Drawing on insights from philosophers across the ages, the authors argue that death is a matter of profound educational importance. Paying particular attention to thinkers in the existentialist tradition, Philosophy, Death and Education shows that our understanding of death can play a key role in determining what, how and why we teach and learn. Death exerts an influence, often unnoticed, on our commitments and priorities, our ideals and relationships. A thoughtful examination of death, the authors suggest, can help us to see ourselves in a new light, and in so doing, allow us to better appreciate what others have to offer.

This book proposes some insights and ideas into how education might be humanized. The chapters inform, provoke, and guide further inquiries into imagining and actualizing human education. It presents the view that education should be primarily understood as human education, which offers universal good for the entire planet. It centres around the significant values that make life, in a holistic sense, meaningful, worthwhile, and socially just. It discusses the fundamental idea that human education is the key to peace, individual and social freedoms, social justice and harmony, fraternity and happiness all over the world, and how educational ideals and methods must be reconsidered to achieve this end.This book originates from an international conference and round-table, “Human Education in the 3rd Millennium,” in July 2019 in Dharamsala, India.

This book reexamines reflection and ethics for teachers, and argues the case for ensuring teaching practices are educational and professional rather than simply technical or clinical. Demonstrating that theory is indispensable when it comes to professional deliberation and educational practice, the authors draw on their experience to provide insights for teachers that will enable them to become better professional educators.This collection of research chapters, written by established researchers and educators in the field who are familiar with a variety of teaching contexts and are conversant with the current teaching standards and policies relating to teaching and teacher education, is a valuable resource for practicing teachers, researchers, policy-makers as well as for final-year student-teachers in Initial Teacher Education programs. Further, it enables early career teachers to meet their professional responsibilities in a more critically informed and capable manner.