In this comprehensive response to the education crisis, the author of Teaching as a Subversive Activity returns to the subject that established his reputation as one of our most insightful social critics. Postman presents useful models with which schools can restore a sense of purpose, tolerance, and a respect for learning.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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From Publishers Weekly
Because American society operates on the unspoken assumption that schooling is for preparing students for well-paying jobs, our educational system is falling apart, declares Postman (Technopoly), a New York University communications professor. In a wise and provocative essay, he argues that public schools subtly reinforce worship of technology, economic utility and consumerism. He outlines several alternative "narratives" that would give public schools a compelling reason to exist and that would motivate students to learn. These include "Spaceship Earth," which casts humans as caretakers of a vulnerable, interdependent planet; the "Law of Diversity," teaching how art, science, politics and customs have been vitalized through the intermingling of cultures; the "American Experiment," portraying U.S. history as an imperfect crucible of democracy; and "Word Weavers," the social and moral dimensions of language and its central role in transforming the world. Postman's visionary, perhaps somewhat utopian blueprint for transforming our schools sets a new standard for debate.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
After 20 books (e.g., Technopoly, LJ 1/92), Postman, social critic par excellence, has returned to his original turf: education. Sharp, witty, and frequently quotable, he demolishes many leading popular themes as lacking in meaning. Education without spiritual content or, as he puts it, without a myth or narrative to sustain and motivate, is education without a purpose. That purpose used to be democracy and could still be, if only we were willing to look for the elements that unite rather than separate. Postman considers multiculturalism a separatist movement that destroys American unity. Diversity, however, is one of the themes he would employ in teaching language, history, and culture. Postman offers a number of positive and uplifting themes around which a new education philosophy could be formulated, some of which are far-fetched or extreme but nonetheless interesting. A most welcome addition to the education debate; highly recommended for all libraries.
-?Arla Lindgren, St. John's Univ., New York
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
-?Arla Lindgren, St. John's Univ., New York
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
In considering how to conduct the schooling of our young, adults have two problems to solve. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
In considering how to conduct the schooling of our young, adults have two problems to solve. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Ashwin
Format:Paperback
The blurb of the book is interesting enough to make one want to pick it up. And when one does begin the voyage, one realizes immediately that the author isnt talking about the end of education in terms of its being finished, rather he is speaking of the Purpose of education. Once this distinction is made, Postman brilliantly argues about how all of today's educational initiatives in the US are more about the means, and hence do not address any root change in the learning process. He then goes on to categorically define the problems in the first part of the book, and his ideas quite almost leap out of the pages in the second part of the book as he boldly architects a probable scenario of the future of education, in terms of its driving purpose.
In doing so, the author gives numerous examples to illustrate his points of view, while all the while admitting that the book is not an exhaustive list of ideas, rather an exhaustion of his mind! Quite a brilliantly written book that cannot but stop and make the reader think. It would be a very different world if every teacher in high school read this book and implemented just even a small part of it in their teaching and actions. In no ways a negative, it must be noted that Postman's religious beliefs and admiration for the US is thrown into sharp relief in his writings.
Lastly, this book gave me 13 books and 7 authors as a potential list to read up on, the book is verily a rich source of ideas and allows the reader to make his own reading list to explore some of the ideas in depth and reach his/her own path.
In doing so, the author gives numerous examples to illustrate his points of view, while all the while admitting that the book is not an exhaustive list of ideas, rather an exhaustion of his mind! Quite a brilliantly written book that cannot but stop and make the reader think. It would be a very different world if every teacher in high school read this book and implemented just even a small part of it in their teaching and actions. In no ways a negative, it must be noted that Postman's religious beliefs and admiration for the US is thrown into sharp relief in his writings.
Lastly, this book gave me 13 books and 7 authors as a potential list to read up on, the book is verily a rich source of ideas and allows the reader to make his own reading list to explore some of the ideas in depth and reach his/her own path.
Format:Paperback
The title End of Education is not as cynical as I had
expected. I had interpreted "End" to mean "finish" although
the book is really more about the "purpose" and
priorities of our schools. Postman makes a well-argued
case for profound changes in our approach to public
education.
expected. I had interpreted "End" to mean "finish" although
the book is really more about the "purpose" and
priorities of our schools. Postman makes a well-argued
case for profound changes in our approach to public
education.
"The question is not Does or doesn't public schooling
create a public? The question is, What kind of public does
it create?" For me that is the most important premise
in this book, because people who don't understand our
history and our constitution, and who have no critical
thinking skills, are not going to be effective
participants in our democracy.
Another important point deals with multiculturalism vs.
cultural pluralism. Postman argues for a "constructive
and unifying use of diversity." American schools need
to create Americans, who appreciate the various cultural
backgrounds that make up our society, but divisiveness
created in the name of multiculturalism is counter-
productive.
The first half of this book discusses "gods" or narratives.
"...Teachers must have a god to serve, or, even better
several gods... Without a narrative, life has no meaning.
Without meaning, learning has no purpose." For example,
the god of Consumerism has been partially responsible
to steering our schools off course. Personally, I think
the god metaphor was belabored.
"Public education does not serve a public. It creates
a public." That's why schools play a critical role
in the future of our economy and our democracy.
And that's why this is such an important book.
Format:Paperback
If one is a Postman reader to write that this is a great book is almost irreverent. I don't mean to say that anyone -including Professor Postman- is beyond criticism. I am trying to say that stating that "Postman is a fascinating writer, incisive in his commentary, original in his thinking" is very much obvious.
Aside of all the "banalities" what I may add for this book is that although its intended audience is American is very appropriate for other countries, at least of the western world (certainly very fitting for Greece), and I suspect for the majority of the countries, where policymakers, teachers, parents and students are struggling with the meaning of education. I suspect that the problems of education are universal and the questions that Postman poses are universal too.
I know, actually I have learned from Postman, that there are great and established scholars in the field of education - and I must admit that I am not familiar with their writings, but I will dare saying that you cannot afford NOT to read this book. By the way, having read other Postman's books I might suggest that this one probably is one of his better ones, bringing many intended and unintended gifts, such as lessons on language as a tool of understanding the world, the issue of multiculturalism, of patriotism, or religion, and how all these concepts pertain to today's world. Buy this book!
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh Perspective: 5 Goals for Education
Most of the current debate in education involves 'means': teaching methodologies, national testing, privatization, etc. Read more
Published on Feb 1 2003 by "mjd123"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Profound Education Theory
As a person who is concerned about the fate of the world, this book was of considerable interest to me. Read more
Published on May 6 2002 by Amy Bowler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enriches the Debate
After 20 years as a student, I have a tendency to find most pedagogical discussions boring; but Postman's clever, witty, and often controvertial writing style piqued me. Read more
Published on April 26 2002 by J.W.K
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tips to teachers?
I read this book when I was doing research before I wrote a course on leadership and training. My initial question dealt with how to create meaningful goals for/with people... Read more
Published on Jun 20 2001 by Daniel W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Profound Thoughts on Path of Education
This profound thinker and writer on some of contemporary culture's hottest issues, i.e. tv, technology and now education, has some very abnormal approaches to viewing the... Read more
Published on April 24 2001 by rodboomboom
3.0 out of 5 stars
The End of Postman
Especially good was the book's beginning discussion of gods, myths or "narratives" as motivating forces. This topic was well presented. Read more
Published on Sep 20 2000 by John A. Jasilli
5.0 out of 5 stars
A courageous, radical book
Neil Postman says out loud what many informed observers, both inside and outside the education establishment have been whispering to one another for sometime now. Read more
Published on Aug 31 2000 by Marcy L. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just How Radical This Is
Just how radical this book is depends, I suppose, on your investment in education. From a teacher's prespective, I find in startling refreshing and valuable, because Postman is... Read more
Published on July 21 2000 by Mark Valentine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended reading for IB Course
I strongly recommend that teachers of the Theory of Knowledge Course in the International Baccalaureate program use this tile as recommended reading.
Dr. Read more
Published on May 28 2000 by K. Balasubramanian
5.0 out of 5 stars
enlightening
Mr.Postman did it again with his keen insight and antennas always up and working. America is a first rate country that should have a first rate school system (elementary & high... Read more
Published on July 23 1999 by Gerald J. Gambale
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