--- On Wed, 2/11/09, Richard Woff <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: Richard Woff <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: learning or education
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 4:10 PM
> I usually resist this kind of thing, but can't here. I
> disagree
> entirely with Essex.
> Learning is just one aspect of education - most people
> forget that
> George Hein's 'Learning in the museum' has a
> first chapter where Hein
> recognises this, but chooses to focus on learning.
> Education is a big concept that takes in ideas about the
> nature of
> knowledge, systems of teaching (or facilitating!) and most
> crucially
> perhaps, the ethical dimension of the process in which we
> are all
> engaged. Learning does not have an ethical dimension in
> and of itself.
> If it is to have one, you have to turn to other educational
> concepts to
> explore it and establish it and in so doing you prove that
> learning is
> insufficient in itself - Essex's lecturer was working
> with a hidden
> ethical stance which a broader notion of education would
> have forced him
> to face up to - you can facilitate all sorts of learning,
> but many of
> them you would not approve of - is that still OK? Answer -
> no or at
> least you should think it through!
> Calling everything learning was a tactical stance to
> distance museum
> education from being synonymous with schools - a laudable
> aim, but one
> which I think threw the baby out with the bathwater.
> It's not that by
> focusing on learning one is necessarily evil or unethical,
> it's just
> that it is easier to hide assumptions from critical
> scrutiny - something
> educational thinking does not allow.
>
>
> Richard
>
> Richard Woff
> Head of Schools and Young Audiences Education
> The British Museum
> London WC1B 3DG
> Phone: +44 (0) 20 7323 8689
> Fax: +44 (0) 20 7323 8855
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in
> the UK.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Phillips
> Sent: 11 February 2009 15:42
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: learning or education
>
>
> While I agree with the heart of what you say, i don't
> agree with the
> etymology. Education comes from the latin - ex duco, to
> lead out of. A
> truly educational experience is one that draws out of each
> individual
> that which lies within. The Romans considered educating to
> be synonymous
> with drawing knowledge out of somebody or leading them out
> of regular
> thinking. That's not a bad thing, that's what we
> should all be trying to
> help with.
>
> Have fun
> Dan
>
> On 11 Feb 2009, at 15:33, Essex Havard wrote:
>
>
>
> I would advocate for "learning" rather than
> "education".
> "Learning" puts the learner at the centre of the
> process and gives them
> more control. When I was training as a primary teacher one
> of my
> lecturers asserted that teachers do not "teach",
> rather they "facilitate
> learning". At the time I thought he was ridiculous,
> but with the benefit
> of too many years experience than I care to mention, I now
> agree with
> him.
>
> Let's banish "education" to the annals of
> social engineering.
> Liberate the learner inside!
>
> My name's Ben Elton, goodnight
>
> Essex Havard
>
> PS I make no apologies to sending this to the whole list
> (as
> per ad nauseum correspondences prior to Christmas) as I
> think it is an
> important point for ALL practitioners to consider. Am happy
> to receive
> complaints/plaudits re my particular "take" on
> Esther's request (to my
> e-mail only please, not on list). Of course, please do
> reply to Esther
> directly on her point.
>
> From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in
> the
> UK. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Farrow Esther
> Sent: 11 February 2009 15:02
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: learning or education
> I have an age-old question. I'm in the process of
> starting up an
> education service at a new archives/local studies venue due
> to open in 6
> months. We are currently working on leaflets, website etc
> for the venue
> as a whole and I can't decide whether I want to refer
> to what I do as
> 'learning' or 'education'. My work will
> mainly be with schools but my
> colleague, the Audience Development Officer is having the
> same trouble
> deciding whether to call her work 'community' or
> 'outreach'.
>
> Has anyone had any feedback to suggest what words people
> identify with? Does a teacher go straight to
> 'education' assuming it
> means them? Does an adult interested in getting involved
> consider
> themselves a 'learner'
>
> Any suggestions much appreciated
>
> Thank you,
>
> Esther Farrow
> Education Officer
> Hull History Centre
> 01482-318741/01482-615102
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