Transcript Reclaiming An Active Role For Educators in a Changing World

Reclaiming An Active Role
For Educators in a
Changing World
Selda Sonmez Mansour
Mary Porter-Masri
Department of English, Bahcesehir College, Istanbul, Turkey
www.bahcesehir.k12.tr
Homepage: www.geocities.com/seldamary
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Selda Sonmez Mansour & Mary Porter-Masri
The question … is no longer “Is it
true?” But “What use is it? In the
context of the mercantilization of
knowledge, more ofthen than not this
question is equivalent to: “Is it
saleable?”
Jean-François Lyotard
The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge (1979)
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7/18/2015
Selda Sonmez Mansour & Mary Porter-Masri
Project Description
This research project is a summary of our current
query into, and critique of, the role of education
and educators in a rapidly changing world.
By posting our research project on the net and by
participating in a virtual conference, we hope to
demonstrate our point: To keep pace, educators
need to be aware of and well-versed in new
discourses, trained in the use of new
technologies, and encouraged to participate in
research and dialogue.
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7/18/2015
Selda Sonmez Mansour & Mary Porter-Masri
Procedures
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We are gathering statistical and other data on
training programs designed for educators and
parents at our school and other institutions.
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We do not have the answers to the questions we
pose. We need feedback from others on the
issues covered in this ongoing project. As everchanging education is, so is this project.
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Commodification of Education
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One cost of the rapid commodification of
education with the introduction of a market
economy in previously closed societies in the
recent decades has been the loss of the guiding
status educational institutions previously
enjoyed. Education no longer has claims to
shaping the way society develops, but it is rather
shaped by the changes in society, which has, in
some cases, brought about near-chaotic
conditions in terms of methodology, practice and
standards.
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Unsuccessful Solutions
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Looking towards the West for answers,
developing societies try to follow educational
models designed to meet the emerging needs
of the education system, without truly
understanding them. Educators are expected
to become facilitators and moderators of
learning, but they sadly find themselves
victims of the changes in society, frustrated
and rendered powerless.
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Expectations
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There are sporadic attempts to reconstruct
education into what it once was: a guiding
light for human civilisation, a flag-bearer.
There has been a giant leap from traditional
style “empty vessel” or “chalk and talk”
method of teaching to learner centred
methodologies, and teachers are expected to
bridge the chasm with little or no training.
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Parents in Control
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In a client-based system parents have
become the primary decision-makers.
However, most parents are unwilling to
cooperate, and when they do, they are
often subjective and unconstructive
because they are not well informed.
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On the Defense
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Faced with overwhelming expectations and
criticism, educators revert to a defensive
teaching mode in order to protect their jobs.
The meagre teacher-training programs
offered are rendered ineffective under the
piles of paperwork teachers are required to
do. This lack of motivation, resources and
proper training on the side of the teachers
results in a decrease in quality of education
and an increase in discipline problems.
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Reinventing Education
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Educational institutions should train
teachers to once again become active
agents of change in education, rather
than mere by-standers, or victims. We
need to design training programs for
educators, administrators and parents
that empower all three groups to bring
about a positive change in society.
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Useful Links
http://www.ibe.unesco.org The International Bureau of Education
(education-related department of UNESCO, publishes newsletter Educational
INNOVATION ,quarterly review PROSPECTS and many other publications, most
are available on Internet)
http://www.ed.gov/pubs
US Department of Education website
http://www.childresearch.net rich research site of a Japanese NGO
Documents
http://www.un.org/Depts/eca/adf/infoeconomy.htm see 2.10 “Knowledge,
Education and Learning”
http://www.businessweek.com/1997/51/b3558139.htm
Contact Us
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