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Title We want to do it ourselves: Ideal and actual learning in South African education and training
Full text http://ahero.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=cshe&action=viewtitle&id=cshe_992
Date 2013
Author(s) Inskip, Chris
Abstract The White Paper of 1995 has indicated for us a teaching and learning enterprise: to "cultivate and liberate the talents of all our people without exception" (RSA 1995:5). This paper examines factors affecting attainment of this aim. As starting point, the paper sets out premises regarding the psychological nature of learning which is supportive of further learning and competence at work. The writer's grounds for adopting these premises are set out, namely findings of scholars, policy or statements of noteworthy education / training practitioners and individuals, and the writer's own experience and observations in the course of teaching and learning. On this basis the paper asserts a requirement for the learning of adolescents and young adults to be thus supportive, namely an effort not of teachers but of learners: The learners must tackle and surmount tasks and challenges which inescapably require from the learner a commitment and effort aimed towards, and resulting in, gaining perceptions valid for engaging with reality, or with further learning, including attaining intellectual maturity1 as required by such aim and the subject matter. The paper goes on to argue or suggest that, or question whether, our enterprise is being undermined by parties at all levels, i.e. by learners, by teachers, by heads of institutions, and so on up to the public, through these parties' not delivering or supporting or demanding the abovementioned "effort .. of learners", largely because of aims remote from that indicated by the White Paper. The result is that learners instead learn e.g. at best by rote, so that further learning and competence at work are not supported. The paper then dwells on possible remedies, while acknowledging difficulties currently standing in the way of implementing them
Subject(s) Education, Learning, Learning Activities
Coverage National Systems and Comparative Studies
Language English
Type of publication Paper (Not Peer Reviewed)
Format Pdf
Repository Cape Town - AHERO, University of Western Cape
Added to C-A: 2014-12-01;09:52:05