Praxis

A Guide to the essence of modern educational theory-into-practice (by Bea Groves)

Transcript

1. Praxis “ “Praxis” Praxis” ...is the process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, practised, embodied, or realised. "Praxis" may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realising, or practising ideas.
2. Influences on praxis • All learning is situated, i.e. there is no such thing as 'abstract learning' (Lave & Wenger) • The world is not experienced as-it-is, it is always “seen as...” (Wittgenstein) • The mind operates on a dual-system basis (Kahneman)
3. Influences on praxis • Memory is constructed, i.e. not simply recorded (Loftus) • We are all driven by our needs (Maslow) • Learning operates best within the Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky) • Conditioning via reward reinforces effective learning - but not all the time! (Skinner)
4. Why educate? • The purpose of education is enable the fulfilment of lives within a just and open society. • Autonomy of thought, and informed choice are vital to any healthy society, and these are core to education's purpose • Teaching is as much an art as a science – it cannot be described 'atomically'. • Learning is social and its medium is communication: to interact is to learn. • To communicate and take part, all adults need a grasp of language and numeracy. • 'Only those who are educated are truly free' (Epictetus)