Seven Myths About Education
Daisy Christodoulou
2014
Routledge
(Audiobook on Storytel)
6 hours 6 minutes
In this book by Christodoulou, some of the most popular beliefs about education are challenged. The author challenges the basic assumptions of these ideas and presents a well reasoned critique of the contemporary practices in education. The myths covered are (in the author’s words):
1. Facts prevent understanding
2. Teacher led instruction is passive
3. The twenty first century fundamentally changes everything
4. You can always just look it up
5. We should teach transferable skills
6. Projects and activities are the best way to learn
7. Teaching knowledge is indoctrination
The fundamental idea in all of these is that declarative knowledge in today’s education system is undervalued in favour of procedural knowledge and development of skills. Christodoulou criticises this notion. She puts forth the idea that knowledge and what is commonly considered as mere facts are essential for developing any further skills and it is only through a width of knowledge that students can succeed. She debunks the notion of using only activity based learning and letting students discover all knowledge. She also criticises the educational administrative structure for supporting only one kind of teaching that places high value on engaging children in activities and reducing their cognitive burden.
The book is interesting and does bring in a fresh perspective to looking at things that have been taken for granted. It brings out a counter perspective, some of which is quite courageous in challenging the stalwarts of education around the world. The downside is that the book is a bit repetitive, probably because the myths covered are all interconnected.
The other aspect is that, I feel, that listening to this audiobook was enriching. But I missed being able to highlight key ideas. The option of placing bookmarks and taking notes in audiobooks is so far an alien idea for me. Maybe this is an idea that I need to change. The audio recording by Rachel Louie Miller is fantastic!