Focusing on how education can better equip pupils for the challenges of real life, this book will be useful and interesting for teachers looking to introduce creative thinking to their classes.
What's the point of school? Rediscovering the heart of education
Synopsis
Taking education as an epistemic exercise, Claxton argues that current policies and debates governing today’s schools are doing more harm than good. Education’s key responsibility, he says, should be to create enthusiastic learners who go on to become successful adults, but policies that encourage repetitive, test-orientated teaching is hampering this.
As a cognitive scientist Caxton explores how the introduction of good scientific-based teaching practices could lead to improved pupil performance, and help them become better prepared to face life’s challenges.
Claxton critiques different testing systems and their implications on pupils’ emotional wellbeing and stress levels, which results in them losing their enjoyment of learning. He addresses the gap between what pupils learn in schools and what they need to learn for the real world, suggesting schools discourage innovation, curiosity and risk taking, all skills needed for life. He provides examples of how teachers can introduce these skills into their classroom.