This was a really good last reading since it is about
politics in education and this class is called “Schooling in a Democratic
society”. I have learned so much from this class and I am really glad I took
it. This reading was about how there should be more political information
discussed in classrooms during children’s education. Growing up as a child my
parents didn’t talk about politics much in the house and I really only learned
what I know from media. I can’t recall one time in my elementary school, or
even middle school. In high school it was required to take history courses
which gave some knowledge on politics but to make my point, I never took any
classes or thoroughly learned about politics until this year. Last semester I passed
Political Science 201 with a C because I really didn’t have any background
knowledge of what I was being taught and it was hard for me. Although, I did
learn a lot from that class. I learned that politics affects so many things,
especially the way we live. A lot of us, as Americans, don’t realize how good
we have it in a Democratic society. The following quotes stood out to me in
this reading:
“Empowered students make meaning and act from reflection,
instead of memorizing fact' and value, handed to them.”
“Not encouraging student' to question knowledge, society and
experience tacitly endorses and supports the status quo. A curriculum that does
not challenge the standard syllabus and conditions in society informs student'
that knowledge and the world are fixed and are line the way they are, with no
role for students to play in transforming them, and no need for change.”
“To socialize students, education tries to teach them the
shape of knowledge and current society, the meaning of past events, the
possibilities for the future, and their place in the world they live in. lnforming
the students conception of self and the world, teachers can present knowledge
in several way'. As a celebration of the existing society, as a falsely neutral
avoidance or problem, coated in the system, or as a critical inquiry into power
and knowledge as they relate to student experience.”
**Did anyone take classes in High School or other schools
that were more about politics? How did You learn about politics and society?
Nice post Janelle! To answer your question I took a political science class in high school and we had a lot of group discussions and debates on not only political issues but how we deal with them and I learned a lot from that.
ReplyDeletegreat post Janelle. To answer your talking point, I took lots of history classes in high school which helped me a lot for political science that we had together last semester. also, i had a great 8th grade teacher that taught me all about American History. this class brings it to another level though. we can really discuss everything and put our feelings on the table, which is what younger kids need to have the ability to do as well.
ReplyDeleteI am having the same problem right now, Janelle! I am in POL 201 now and I'm having such a hard time because none of this was really ever explained. I remember learning it but I don't understand it. I still, now don;t really understand politics. I'm 20 years old and not even registered to vote. I don;t feel like I have enough knowledge to understand what our communities and country needs to succeed to have the responsibility for voting for the leaders to control these things!
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