Modernism

vs Postmodernism
Education
What is Postmodernism?
Postmodernism describes a broad movement that developed in the mid to late
20th century across philosophy, the arts, architecture and criticism which marked a
departure from modernism.

Postmodernists believe that earlier era’s were far more predictable than the times
we live in today, for example jobs were for life and class was a major source of
identity. Since around the 1970’s we have been living in times characterised by
risk and diversity.

Consequently this has had huge implications for education .

Views On Education:

Point I) “Concern with so much change”

- There are differences and concerns because of the number of languages that exist, the number of ethnic groups that coexist in towns and
cities and changes in working patterns. All of these influence education.

- Society has changed so much. By now there are a number of single-parent families, same-sex couples are accepted and religion has to appeal
to a multicultural society.

- To enforce one common curriculum on everyone is going to lead to some problems.

Point II) “Watching & Surveillance”

- Postmodernists also argue that they are constantly being 'watched' in today's society.

- Not only because of CCTV cameras but also because of the increase in maintaining records of everything on paper and setting targets in
order to monitor people in schools and in jobs.

- As so much has changed by now there are a number of single-parent families, same-sex couples are accepted and religion has to appeal to a
multicultural society.

- Because of the increase in monitoring also, record keeping and setting targets, pupils suffer as they constantly have to sit tests and
examinations. This causes strain and concern for some.
Views On Education:
Theorist I
Usher & Thompson (1997)
Modern PostModern

Education Controlled by State Education Controlled by Communities

One Size Fits all Diverse & Customised

Fixed In Time (Strict Timetable) Flexible (Distance Learning)

Fixed Period In Life Lifelong Learning

Teacher Led, Student Passive Active Learners, Learning Through

Experiences
Views On Education:
Theorist II
Moore & Hickox (1994)
Their research stated that it is:

“impossible to provide a curriculum that suits everyone, either a national or vocational curriculum, because of
the social changes that are taking place in society.”
Research Evidence
Postmodernists such as Moore and Hickox's (1994)

Argue that such policies as the National Curriculum are doomed to failure because
they
can’t keep up with an increasingly diverse nature of society.
The continual testing, target setting and recording of results is seen as an attempt to
keep
some kind of order.
Criticisms
There is an argument that postmodernism is not even a genuine thing that exists. And that factors like
ethnicity, gender and social class are still as important in today's society as there were prior to the
18th century where the 'modern era' was said to begin

By postmodernists putting forward these views of our modern society, they are falling into the same trap
which they use to criticise other perspectives.

Postmodernism is also well known for their criticism of sociological theories for being what's described
as a 'meta-narratives'. Which basically means narratives or stories of other stories, or in this case
perspectives of society. But postmodernism would be the meta-narrative as it is a 'story' describing
or criticising other 'stories'