Social Reconstructionism
The pedagogical philosophy of Social Reconstructionism simply rests on the idea that schools need to shape or “reconstruct” society.
This attempt to reconstruct society through school and education can be found in the Baltimore Algebra Project, which has staged "walk-outs" of class and literally blocked traffic by drawing silhouettes of dead children in the street, lying down in them, while the others chanted, “No education. No life.” It could be found in Critical Exposure which gave students cameras and asked them to document the deplorable conditions of their schools. These pictures have become exhibitions shown to policy makers, citizens and other educators. The goal, of course, is education policy reconstruction, which consequently leads to private contributions and policy changes.
Social Reconstructionism can also begin with deconstructing the sometimes bland information policy makers and politicians have mandated that us teachers have to teach. Thanks to Senator Robert Byrd, all schools receiving federal funding must teach about the U.S. Constitution on Constitution Day. How can this be taught in a way that is both meaningful and reconstructive to students who need to find a reason to keep coming back to school? Teach what the Constitution is saying and is not saying.
Therefore, it is not enough to teach about the United States Constitution and leave out the fact that the word "woman" is nowhere to be found in the entire document (including the 27 Amendments). After such a lesson, the questions must be asked, “So, was this intentional? Is it fair? Why or why not? If not, what can we do to avoid this in our own communication?"
It is not enough to teach about the Constitution and not share with the students that, in the main body of the Constitution, the word “slave” is nowhere to be found, yet other, more socially palatable terms are used by those on the verge of embarking upon constructing a society, a “perfect union,” purporting to herald such a concept as democracy. Our students must then debate whether the mere omission of the word or the people represented by the word is an admission of the dehumanization of the African person in chains. They must then discuss how we do this in our lives in order to exploit others. If the students accept these premises, we must then ask what we must do (reconstruction) to prevent this form of dehumanization through omission.
Social Reconstructionism is rooted in the philosophies of Existentialism and Progressivism, so, as it relates to education philosophy, progressivist and existentialist, I am, too. As a public school teacher of ninety plus percent “minority” students who have been the recipients of scraps from the table of America, I have limited appreciation for Essentialism and Perennialism.
The motivation to delve into philosophy (particulary, educational philosophy) was the recognition of Martin Luther King, jr.
Sarah Elizabeth Ford
Ø Social Reconstructionism is a philosophy that emphasizes the addressing of social questions and a quest to create a better society and worldwide democracy!!!!
***Typically a Reconstructionist focuses on a curriculum that highlights social reform
· Theodore Brameld
v Theodore Brameld spent a lifetime working for personal and cultural transformation through education. Influenced by John Dewey's educational philosophy, Brameld urged that schools become a powerful force for social and political change.
· George Counts (1889-1974) recognized that education was the means of preparing people for creating this new social order.
Critical theorists, like social reconstructionists, believe that systems must be changed to overcome oppression and improve human conditions.
**For social reconstructionists and critical theorists, curriculum focuses on student experience and taking social action on real problems, such as violence and hunger.
COLLEEN EMILY MOORE
Sarah Elizabeth Ford
http://youtu.be/i0lKL2TIYew
Social Reconstructionism
Greg De Mare
Social Reconstruction is a philosophy that heavily emphasizes social questions and questions about society itself in a better effort to create a more successful society in the future. At the center of the curriculum for a Social Reconstructionist is a focus on social reform. The creator of social reconstructionism was Theodore Brameld. He originally came up with this theory as a reaction against World War II. He correctly recognized the potential for either human annihilation through technology and human cruelty or the capacity to create a society that was better through the use of technology and pure human compassion. Additionally, George Counts also recognized this as a valid theory in preparing people for creating the new social order.
Main Reason:
In response to social conditions of the day, Progressive educators during
the early half of the century were advocating a restructuring of education in this
country. Many of the Progressives believed that, due to school practices,
schools and society were caught in a dualistic relationship which separated the
school from mainstream society and created an isolation of the schools. They
believed that what happened under the auspices of the schools was not real or
reflective of the problems in society(Kayla Chrisley) (Quoted by proffesors of a college)
- I think the main reason was to unit society and school together again.
- Schools are what help the future of the world
- They didnt think that the problems in schools would cause any problems in society.
- Social Recsonstructionism is what helped these beliefs change
- (Kayla Chrisley)
The Purpose of Schooling
- Critically examine all cultural and educational institutions and recommended change and reform as needed.
- To teach students and the public not to settle for "what is" but rather to dream about what might be.
- Prepare Students to become agents for change
Foudations of American Education
Josh Wilson
Nature of the Learner
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
- Students are the future of Amercia, so schools should educate them not only by standards but also with what could help them to help the society(Kayla Chrisley)
Curriculum
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Reflect democratic ideals and emphasize civic education
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Opportunity for students to gain first hand experience in studying real social problems and contreversial issues
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Students consider societal problems such as place of ethics in improving quality of life, conserve natural resources, and issues of foreign policy and naturalism.
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
Instructional Methods
- Cooperative learning, problem solving, critical thinking
- Focus on active learning and activities outside of school
- Students spend time in the community to learn its problems
- Would analyze research and link issues to place in the community and larger society
- Take action or responsibility in planning for change
Foundation of American Education
Josh Wilson
ascd.org
Josh Wilson
Classroom Management
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Teacher and students question the assumptions of the status quo and examine social issues and future trends.
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Organize classroom in a classless nonsexist and non racial manner
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Less emphasis on management and control and more on focus community building
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Atmosphere promotes analysis, criticism, and research would best describe the classroom environment
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Conflict resolurion and differences in world views would be encouraged and reinforced.
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
teachingbydesign.com.au
Josh Wilson
Assessment
- Students have the ability to think in critical terms and expose their assumptions and practices
- Oppose standardized test of both students and teachers. Should only if mandated by local, state, or federal authorities.
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
As a Teacher
- Must be willing to engage in ongoing renewal of their person and professional lives
- Criticize and evaluate work conditions and extend educational role outside of hte classroom
- Must be comfortable with constant change
- Dislikes the status quo and views school as a particular culture in evolution
- Willing to engage and form alliances with the communtity and parents to make the school better.
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
- A teacher has to know when to socail reconstruc,soa teacher needs to know their class room(Kayla Chrisley)
Tickedbylife.com
Josh Wilson
Leading People in Social Reconstruction
- George S. Counts (1889-1974)
- Theodore Brameld (1904-1987)
- Harold Rugg (1886-1960)
- They were concerned that curriculum lacked relevance to the real world and ignored social problems
- Ivan Illich (1926-2002)
- Paulo Freire (1921-1997)
- Illich wanted to abolish schools and find new approaches to education
- Freire wanted education to be drawn from everyday life experiences of the learners.
Foundations of American Education
Josh Wilson
George S. Counts
<pocketknowledge.tc.columbia.edu>
Josh Wilson
Ivan Illich
hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com
Josh Wilson
Theodore Brameld
www2.talbot.edu
Josh Wilson
Paulo Freire was a Brazilian while living in poverty led him to champion education and literacy as the components for social change. According to him, a person must learn to overcome oppression and to not be a victim. Rather than “teaching as banking” Freire thought that teaching and learning was the way for a child to invent and reinvent the world.
Paulo Freire
Oreganstate.edu
Contributed by Haley Brown
Social Reconstructionist believes that students are the critical element in bringing about social change. They contend that students are capable of initiating and adapting to change especially if they are influenced by appropriate adult role models. A social Reconstructionist would strive to organize the classroom in a classless, nonsexist, and nonracist manner. There would be less emphasis on management and control and more focus on community building. Conflict resolution and difference in world views would be encouraged and reinforced.
Contributed by: Kelcey Mason
(Source: Foundations of American Education)
Social Reconstructionism is an educational theory that advocates change, improvement and the reforming of the school and society. (Foundations of American Education)
http://cmapspublic.ihmc.us/rid=1GZRRFQLJ-5GF5G1-RLB/Social%20Reconstructionism.cmap?rid=1GZRRFQLJ-5GF5G1-RLB&partName=htmljpeg
http://klistermastersportfolio.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/wordle-screen-shot.jpg
Laura Wright
Comments (1)
Dawn Mitchell said
at 1:00 pm on Feb 5, 2010
Greg, solid job defining what the philosophy of social reconstruction is about and telling us more information about it's founder, Theodore Brameld. Can you enhance your wiki page by adding graphics like a visual image and/or a link to a website that would provide us with further information?
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