Spinoza as Educator: From eudaimonistic ethics to an empowering and liberating pedagogy

Although Spinoza's formative influence on the cultural ideals of the West is widely recognized, especially with reference to liberal democracy, secular humanism, and naturalistic ethics, little has been written about the educational implications of his philosophy. This article explores the pedagogical tenets that are implicit in Spinoza's writings. I argue (1) that Spinoza's ethics is eudaimonistic , aiming at self-affirmation, full humanity and wellbeing; (2) that the flourishing of individuals depends on their personal resources, namely, their conatus , power, vitality or capacity to act from their own inner natures; and (3) that the combination of the Spinozian conceptions of humanism, liberal democracy, eudaimonistic ethics, and the enlightened and sovereign individual constitute together the grounds for a comprehensive empowering and liberating pedagogy.     

Spinoza as Educator: From eudaimonistic ethics to an empowering and liberating pedagogy

Although Spinoza's formative influence on the cultural ideals of the West is widely recognized, especially with reference to liberal democracy, secular humanism, and naturalistic ethics, little has been written about the educational implications of his philosophy. This article explores the pedagogical tenets that are implicit in Spinoza's writings. I argue (1) that Spinoza's ethics is eudaimonistic, aiming at self‐affirmation, full humanity and wellbeing; (2) that the flourishing of individuals depends on their personal resources, namely, their conatus, power, vitality or capacity to act from their own inner natures; and (3) that the combination of the Spinozian conceptions of humanism, liberal democracy, eudaimonistic ethics, and the enlightened and sovereign individual constitute together the grounds for a comprehensive empowering and liberating pedagogy.     

Spinoza,Deep Ecology and Education Informed by a (Post)human Sensibility

Abstract

This article explores the influence of Spinozism on the deep ecology movement (DEM) and on new materialism. It questions the stance of supporters of the DEM because their ecosophies unwittingly anthropomorphise the more-than-human-world. It suggests that instead of humanising the ‘natural’ world, morality should be naturalised, that is, that the object of human expression of ethics should be the more-than-human world. Moreover, the article discusses Deleuze’s Spinozism that informs new materialism and argues that stripping the human of its ontological privilege does not deprive the human animal from its ethico-normative distinctiveness. Implications of the discussion for an education aimed at cultivating (post)human sensibilities are explored.     

Innovation in teacher education: towards a critical re-examination

ABSTRACT

In the course of introducing a themed issue of the journal on “Innovation in Teacher Education’, we lay out an argument for re-examining the meaning of innovation in the field, shifting it away from the dominance of the economistic and technological. Acknowledging its status as a ‘buzzword’, we distinguish between purposes for innovation and, in particular, between changes driven by arguments for social mobility and those driven by social justice and equity. Two imperatives for innovation underpinned by arguments for social justice and equity are identified: the concept of a ‘teacher education debt’, built on Ladson-Billings’ more general notion of ‘education debt’; and the humanization of learning, teaching and becoming a teacher as person-centred, relational practices. The final section of the article introduces each of the six papers in the context of the discussion in previous sections about these imperatives for change.     

Collaborative teacher education: forging tangible connections between field and classroom

This paper describes a collaboration between the authors, a university course instructor for an introductory Learning Sciences course in a university-based teacher education program, and a site coordinator for its paired practicum experience. Drawing on Cultural-Historical Activity Theory, the collaborators found that their weekly conversations focused on supporting novice teacher learning had the potential to (1) lead to more strategic support of pre-service teachers, and (2) lend greater insights into the nature of the larger teacher education activity system in which they both worked. They consider the ways the seemingly simple addition of weekly conversations across sites of teacher learning can create spaces that collapse traditional theory/practice divides in teacher education.     

试论《教师教育标准》的构成与结构要素

教师专业化是当前我国教师教育改革的核心问题。为确保教师职业的专业化进程和质量,国家有关部门正在制定《教师教育标准》。然而,《教师教育标准》应是一个什么样的标准体系?应由那些标准组成?其结构要素如何?这些问题的确值得我们研究。据此,本文对标准的内涵,《教师教育标准》的构成与结构要素进行了系统的思考和探讨,以便为我国的《教师教育标准》制定规范化与科学化起到抛砖引玉的作用。     

心灵与自然的幸福之歌——斯宾诺莎幸福主义伦理思想刍议

追求幸福是人类一切行为的终极目标和最高境界,斯宾诺莎劝诫人们放弃那些扰乱人心的外物,认为真正的幸福是心灵与自然的和谐相融;是人的心灵获得与整个自然相一致的知识;是理性的完善和理智对情感的克服;是个体幸福与整体幸福的和谐统一。正是在理性的指导下,斯宾诺莎看到了人与人之间的社会关系是保障人生幸福的关键,追求在整体幸福中实现个人幸福的伦理宗旨。     

合作教师教育模式的运用——一条更加贴近现实的途径

介绍了挪威科技大学教师教育系和实习学校之间进行的合作教师教育模式,并探讨了这一模式能否实现“贴近现实的教师教育”这种理念。探讨了该模式是否给学生提供了名副其实的教学相长的机会,是否增加了学生与各个合作者交流的机会,从而使学习成为社会的、互动的过程。最后,审视了该模式是否给学生提供了提高反思能力的机会并促进了实习教师的专业发展。     

Project work in the graduate classroom: Teachers as students apply skills beyond the classroom

Abstract

Through the use of a long‐term project in a graduate teacher education course on the importance of play, students learned skills beyond those usually required in a graduate classroom. Students used their understanding and knowledge of play, constructive practice, and project work to develop a family play day at the university lab school. As part of the project, students helped to develop a play‐style instrument that served as a self‐study for their own classrooms as they observed the play among their own students. The project culminated with the students hosting the families of the lab school at a fun day and preparing a brochure that gave families information about the importance of play.     

Changing professional discourses in teacher education policy back towards a training paradigm: a comparative study

Modern definitions of professions connect professional knowledge to scientific studies and higher education. In the present article we examine the changing nature of this relationship in initial teacher education in two European countries: Sweden and England. The article is based on policy analyses from recent decades of teacher education reforms. The findings suggest a policy convergence through a shared policy return that has moved teacher education back toward a teacher training paradigm.     

Field-based teacher education in literacy: preparing teachers in real classroom contexts

For the past two decades, scholars have advocated for reforms in teacher education that emphasize relevant connections between theory and practice in university coursework and focus on clinical experiences. This paper is based on our experiences in designing and implementing an integrated literacy methods course in a field-based teacher education program. We describe issues involved in helping preservice teachers learn to differentiate literacy instruction for diverse learners in urban schools and describe how we use Grossman’s framework of representation, decomposition, and approximation of practice to connect theory and practice. We offer insights about the importance of using recursive cycles of practice and carefully scaffolded learning through attention to different aspects of practice. Initial successes and challenges in implementing field-based literacy education are discussed.     

我国高等院校教师教育专业机构存在的问题及政策建议

通过对具有普通高等学历招生资格的820所高等学校设置的教师教育专业机构的分析,发现我国高等院校教师教育专业机构缺乏资质标准、区域分布不均衡、组织管理分散以及一流综合性大学参与教师教育专业机构建设的积极性不高等问题。基于此,提出如下政策建议:研制教师教育专业机构的资质标准;加大对中西部省份教师教育专业机构建设的支持力度;加强教师教育专业机构的管理制度创新;一流综合性大学应该承担起教师教育的社会责任。     

Drama Teacher Training in Greece: A survey of attitudes of teachers towards drama teachers

The provision of drama teacher education in Greece is discussed. Its past and current states are examined and new trends in drama teaching are outlined. The pros and cons of specialist drama teachers are considered. The provision of specialist drama teachers is supported with the proviso that they should be fully integrated into the life of the school.     

Fill the classroom with life: deepening the reform of Chinese primary and secondary classroom teaching

Classroom teaching is a life-practice in which both teacher and pupils engage and bring in their authentic and living experiences. Classroom teaching should be seen as a period of life-experience that is a meaningful component of the lives of both teachers and students. However, this is not how teaching is seen in most pedagogical and educational theory, teacher education, and in Chinese classrooms, and this perception inhibits reform. What must be understood to facilitate a view of teaching as a life-practice?     

A bridge over troubling waters: a snapshot of teacher graduates' perceptions of their ongoing professional learning needs

For graduating teachers, the bridging period between formal teacher preparation and joining the profession is a time of high anxiety and great excitement. While this transition influences efficacy, job satisfaction, career length and future teaching quality, it is widely recognised to be inconsistent, poorly planned and resourced and largely unsupported. In Australia, the transition to teaching remains largely a school-based affair. However, individual schools may not have the resources to support a comprehensive and cohesive transition program. This paper discusses a pilot university program of extended teacher preparation. It reports on the perceived professional learning needs of a group of graduates as they transition to teaching. The key findings indicate that these graduates are seeking ongoing support as they develop confidence in their canonical skills of teaching. The authors argue that university-based programs are one way of providing professional learning and support for beginning teachers.     

Financial literacy and classroom practices among early childhood and elementary teachers in India and the US

This study compared the financial literacy and teaching practices of 82 early and elementary teachers in India and US using a 43-item survey. Analysis showed that financial literacy of Indian teachers was lower than their American counterparts. Teachers in India enjoyed teaching financial literacy more than teachers in the US. Indian teachers received more professional development training than American teachers. Indian teachers reported using the school store, children’s literature and pictorial worksheets while American teachers reported using learning centres, play money, fake credit cards, technology and games to teach financial literacy.     

Using classroom videos to stimulate professional conversations among pre-service teachers: windows into a mathematics classroom

This paper reports on the novel use of classroom videos by 71 pre-service teachers enrolled in a one-year graduate diploma pre-service teacher education program across three Australian universities. The classroom videos were of an experienced teacher delivering a Year-6 mathematics lesson. Students observed, discussed and debated practices that were evident. Data were collected via observation protocols and through recorded focussed discussions. Pre-service teachers, even at the early phase of their course, were able to articulate theoretical explanations for events occurring in the lesson. All students, irrespective of the progression in the course, lamented the absence of prior opportunities to engage in analysis and discussion of classroom lessons. The study reinforces the value of dialectical interactions focussed on authentic teaching scenarios.     

苏格兰教师标准改革及启示

苏格兰于2012年启动了新一轮的教师标准改革.本文通过对苏格兰2005与2012教师标准的结构、内容与特点的解读与比较,全面介绍了苏格兰教师标准改革的主要内容,并提出对我国教师标准建设的启示.     

Music education for the improvement of coexistence in and beyond the classroom: a study based on the consultation of experts

This study examines theoretical principles and models of music education to promote interpersonal and social relations. It focuses on the primary and secondary stages of education in Spain. To this end, relevant national and international figures in education, music or critical thinking were consulted. Their responses to the consultation were treated qualitatively. The results highlight the need to promote participatory activity and to design alternative proposals for music learning that invite the student to gain positive musical experiences. This will help to recognise different musical identities, promote intercultural musical diversity and encourage positive coexistence in and beyond the music classroom.