Category Archives: 1.1 Social Justice

Scottish Culture on education

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Educational studies Historical and comparative perspectives on education

What do you believe are the most important elements to Scottish culture?

Culture is a very difficult word to describe for me it means your identity that is shared with people from the same community, it defines what is acceptable and not acceptable. History is a major factor in creating a culture, it is past events that create outcomes that evolve over time to create a new norm. Stereotypes are created as a product of a culture. In Scotland people from out with the country portray Scottish people as having ginger, eating haggis for tea and watching out their bedroom windows for mystical creatures such as the Loch Ness monster. Scottish country dancing is a very important Scottish culture for me as I was taught at primary school and secondary school during a physical education class. It also has a place in social society as at a Scottish wedding there will normally be a ceilidh and country dancing. Very recently in Scotland there has been a great focus on the referendum causing a lot of controversy and discussion. This referendum showed how patriotic Scottish people were proving this to be an important aspect in our culture.

What impacts does this have on children and their education?

Scottish country dancing impacts on children’s education as they will have to participate in Scottish country dancing at school during physical education classes. Also schools will provide ceilidhs for children around Christmas time which is important as it helps children to socialise. The referendum was important for pupils as the government controls education and state schools with funding and the curriculum amongst other important aspects of education. Depending on the outcome of the referendum Scottish schools would change affecting pupil’s education and shaping their futures.

Gender balance

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How did gender affect me during primary school?

I was taught by all female staff whilst I attended primary school, I was always very comfortable in the classrooms as I felt I could relate easily to another female. I never felt that I was categorised by gender throughout my early years of education as the boys and girls all took part in the same activities for example sewing and art. As a class every pupil was treated in the same manner regardless of gender. This made me feel that my gender did not impact me significantly.

However during physical education in my latter years of primary school I felt very intimidated during lessons as the boys were much more competitive and aggressive than what I was. This made me nervous to play sports such as basketball or football as I was not able to play at my best ability.

There are no studies that prove that gender affects the ability to learn in a classroom, and from my own experience of being within a school environment I found that the teachers ability to inspire and engage a child was more integral on how the child learns. My teachers that I found to be the most inspiring were the lessons that I can still recall now many years later.

What makes a teacher who makes a difference?

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Professionalism videos and what I believe they tell me

 

A professional is someone who provides their own effort and skills one hundred percent of the time. They stay informed with current affairs because if they did not it would have a negative impact. Without education there is no people can not improve their own lives because they do not have the tools they need to further themselves. A teacher who makes a difference has to be dedicated for life, they have to want to improve their knowledge throughout their career. They will work within a community, not just with pupils. Dedication is imperative along with a love for your work. Pride should be taken in the work that you carry out. A teacher who makes a difference will sacrifice personal time to ensure that they are informed and knowledgable. Passion for teaching and individual subjects will inspire pupils therefore enabling them to enjoy learning. By being a responsible individual and continuing your personal development you will motivate pupils to learn more effectively, this will make you that exceptional teacher who makes a difference.

 

Do you agree with what these teachers call professionalism?

I agree with the video that professionals are role models within a society. Children live by example so teachers have to set a very good, professional example. the way in which teachers talk and act is incredibly important. The video talks about not judging a child by their upbringing or their parents. To me this vital, as a professional everything you do has to have the best interests of a child at heart. If issues such as how their parents are as adults gets in the way of educating a child, this makes your practice unprofessional. I agree that teachers have to continue their development after university. Practice changes very quickly, there will always be new developments and knowledge to learn. As a professional teacher it is important to be informed so that you do not have a negative impact on your pupils education.

 

What is the message here?

The first video shows Chris Christie idolising teachers. He says how they should be carried to school on our shoulders. He creates a hierarchy where he believes that teachers are at the top looking down on the rest of society. He suggests that teachers are not rewarded enough for their efforts. He mentions how teachers are valuable to society. Opposing to this view the video also shows Karen Lewis, she tells the audience how she is not a teacher but is a worker. She provides the feeling that she is not special she is merely an educational worker. She knocks down the social hierarchy opposed to Chris who builds it up. KAren at the end of the video says, “if you punch a clock at the end of the day, you’re a worker”. I believe that Chris Christie has the opinion that teachers are professionals as they sacrifice for education.