Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:3533] RE: bigum & Nespor
From: Muhammad Betz (mbetz@sosu.edu)
Date: Wed 19 Jun 2002 - 03:58:42 MEST
From: Muhammad Betz <mbetz@sosu.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:3533] RE: bigum & Nespor Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2002 20:58:42 -0500
"No 'psychology' of learning will be acceptable that is not a
political economy of knowledge." Nespor
"In contrast, I have argued that schooling (or any other setting or
'community of practice') can't be understood on its own terms, but by
looking at how its practices are enmeshed in much more expansive
networks. Schooling isn't a mere reflection of larger processes -
economic, political, or whatever - nor does it produce (or reproduce)
those processes." bigum
This is a very interesting contrast made by bigum. The first statement is
addressing learning, while the second statement is addressing schooling:
that's a problem for a purist. What I am interested in however is the
meaning intended here. It's as if Nespor sees education in terms of
political restrictions, and I sense that the meaning of political is not
confined to state-related considerations. bigum sees education as an
independent entity networked with other entities, metaphorically suggesting
an allegory with the Internet.
As is my wont, I favor a biological view, an evolutionary view, in which
such considerations are subject to a survival of the fittest exigency, so I
would naturally sympathize with Nespor's view. Yet, I sympathize with
correctness of bigum's view in relation to the technology-based learning.
This contrast makes sense when one considers that Nespor is framing his
considerations in the context of the undergraduate physics and management
curriculum, while bigum is framing his views based upon his expertise in the
educational technology milieu.
In short, perhaps at present, we are witnessing a transition from Nespor's
view to bigum's, to some extent. However, I believe political economy
remains the King of the educational hill.
Regards,
Muhammad Betz
Professor of Education
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
University of Phoenix Online Faculty
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