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.