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The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School
by
Neil Postman
Postman suggests that the current crisis in our educational system derives from its failure to supply students with a translucent, unifying "narrative" like those that inspired earlier generations. Instead, today's schools promote the false "gods" of economic utility, consumerism, or ethnic separatism and resentment. What alternative strategies can we use to instill our ch...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
June 1st 2011
by Vintage
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The book begins by talking about the gods we serve in America and the necessity of having gods to give meaning to our lives. Then he talks about gods we serve that fail us, specifically the gods of economic utility, consumerism, technology, and ethnic separatism. The point of all this is to show how the narratives supporting these gods affect public education. The second half of the book talks about specific recommendations for preserving public schools that will produce an American public that ...more
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Abbi Dion
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"It hardly needs to be said that one of the purposes of an education is to give us greater control of our situation."
Bernard Shaw was asked, 'why do we need theater?' and he responded "It is an elucidator of social consciousness, a historian of the future, an armory against darkness and despair, and a temple in the ascent of man."
"Tolerance is irrelevant when there is universal agreement. When there is diversity of opinion, tolerance becomes, if you will, a g...more
Bernard Shaw was asked, 'why do we need theater?' and he responded "It is an elucidator of social consciousness, a historian of the future, an armory against darkness and despair, and a temple in the ascent of man."
"Tolerance is irrelevant when there is universal agreement. When there is diversity of opinion, tolerance becomes, if you will, a g...more
Moktoklee
added it
A very entertaining book. Postman know how to grab the reader's attention and then hold onto them. If anyone can make any aspect of the formal education system seem appetizing, I don't know if anyone could do it better than Neil. His sections on multiculturalism and the necessity of Gods are spot on.
That being said, I can't help but think that Postman makes too many jumps in logic. Postman assumes that children don't find enjoyment in learning and would never end up finding out right from ...more
That being said, I can't help but think that Postman makes too many jumps in logic. Postman assumes that children don't find enjoyment in learning and would never end up finding out right from ...more
No book so clearly and regretfully demonstrates the problem with American education: the lack of the grand narrative. As Postman effortlessly lays out, schools have generally considered the how of education but lack the why, believing it to either be irrelevant or obvious. Now, Postman notes, a group of "false gods" now drive the philosophy of education - can things ever be changed?
Yes, Postman answers, there are Gods that serve - grand narratives including the American D...more
Yes, Postman answers, there are Gods that serve - grand narratives including the American D...more
I recently finished American Fascists by Chris Hedges, and it seemed like Neil Postman was writing the education response to Hedges book. Though Postman wrote the book 16 years ago, many of his concerns are still very relevant. (Education reform and changes don't happen quickly, even when they need to.)
Postman's book is a real reality check on education, and incorporates his vision of what education is meant to accomplish. By his standards, which I have to strongly agree with, we a...more
Postman's book is a real reality check on education, and incorporates his vision of what education is meant to accomplish. By his standards, which I have to strongly agree with, we a...more
Loved this book. Despite it being 16 years old (which was interesting in and of itself, knowing where we've come with technology & education since Postman authored the book)this book made such thought-provoking & profound points. And in the burgeoning experimental era we're in with charter schools, his ideas on re-thinking schools are rather brilliant ones that someone should explore. Though we're still mired in NCLB, any self-respecting teacher will see that Postman's notions would offer a mu...more
Postman comes at his points from a rather long and unnecessary angle, but he makes some convincing arguments about how students need legitimate motivations to make their educations effective. Some of his suggestions for doing so were especially enjoyable, and if I ever start a school, I would love to make anthropology, archaeology, and astronomy core subjects. Of course, I agree with him that his suggestions are about as impractical in the current standard education system, but then what Solut...more
Not quite as good as "Amusing Ourselves To Death", but Postman does make an interesting case. I actually disagree with many of his solutions to the problems he presents, simply because he is still working within the confines of a Prussian, military-based system of education.
The problems themselves, however, I thoroughly agree are present in schools everywhere in America. I also agree with the theory that some kind of general meaning should be infused in education, a pur...more
The problems themselves, however, I thoroughly agree are present in schools everywhere in America. I also agree with the theory that some kind of general meaning should be infused in education, a pur...more
Laurie
is currently reading it
Very much like how he articulates the need for every child to have a reason for learning, a narrative that gives them a reason to come to school and a hopefor the future. He calls it having a god to serve..small g. Could be God, but could also be family pride, work ethic, a passion, or just consumerism. But Postman says some gods are better than others at creating a desire for education.
A very interesting and deep discussion of the idea that the "end" of education should be to create a "public," meaning we need some common national narratives, or reasons for teaching and learning that hold up. Making good money in the future just isn't enough for students. This is a deep and thoughtful book overall.
Though I disagree with many of the premises and conclusions in the book, the methods and ideas in the book are invaluable. Postman is a great writer and diagnoses what ails our culture. Yet his answers are unsatisfactory for the Christian--and only the Christian can offer a better alternative.
I loved this book and now have a minor intellectual crush on Postman. In my graduate program, there are so many elementary/secondary teachers who bemoan NCLB and the current education system- all want to start incorporating technology and global issues into their classroom, but have little power to do so. Postman's idea of restructuring the system around a grand narrative- gods that will stand the test of time and mean something- is fantastic. The ridiculous thing is that most of the people who ...more
Another great one from Neil Postman. He asks the fundamental question of education: What's the point? His answer is a bit different from the norm. Great read for any teacher...or anyone interested in where education and was, where it is now, where it is going.
I think I would actually rate this one 4.5. I rounded up because suddenly I am totally enamored of thoughtful, debate-ful, liberal New Yorkers, of whom Neil Postman is my favorite. Anyway, he's kind of tough on "religion" in this book, while at the same time establishing it as essential to the existence of "education" (a good and important idea-"education" that is, and while I'm at it-"religion"). He's tough on "science" too, refreshingly. An...more
As a Postman fan and a teacher, I was excited and curious to read about his view of education; what I initially took from the title to mean the impending death and destruction of it. While I did get that to an extent, Postman also played on the double meaning of "end" explaining that if schooling in America is not given an end (a purposeful, over-arching theme or "narrative" as he calls it), then it will surely come to its end (conclusion). Although I agree and appreciate hi...more
Poiema
rated it
Recommends it for:
anyone concerned about our declining educational system
Shelves:
teacher-books
I do appreciate Postman's thrust to include media ecology as part of a well-rounded education. Technology is not necessarily a gift; it may destroy more than it gives.
Postman forcefully presents his philosophical views as to how education may be improved. Equating narratives with gods, Postman suggests narratives with which students and teachers may find greater purpose in schooling.
Muy bueno, propone algunos cambios en los sistemas educativos pero no tan radicales como esperaba. No propone un nuevo sistema sino reformas al actual.
A breezy but enlightening over view of jarring analyses and suggestions for American's dysfunctional education system by one who writes and teaches
Great insights into the purpose of education and ways to think about using it for building people, communities and countries...
Stimulating and Seminal Evalution of the Problem, But Flawed Answer.
See my review on Amazon, and click "Help" if it helped you!
See my review on Amazon, and click "Help" if it helped you!
Very amazing and so insightful. At times I felt overwhelmed by information. It's a must read for students, teachers, educators, and parents.
Nicole
added it
Recommends it for:
Anyone that thinks everyone that has ever been educated is a stupid moron...
Shelves:
booksireadincollege
I am currently reading this book for my research paper. The author Neil Postman has some good points, but the negativity is brining me down. I want to slit my wrists because I am a f#%*ing teacher and apparently we are all worthless! Well guess what Neil? My kids might not be learning, but they get to look at my beauty all day long and that must be worth something! Obviously he has only worked with ugly people and can't appreciate a beautiful teacher for just who she is. I am going to the make-u...more
I read this for my master's program and found it interesting. I wouldn't suggest it to everyone, but if you are interested in education reform, you might be interested. His ideas are sort of sensational, I guess that's how you get published, but he does offer some interesting points, suggestions, and is thought provoking. Basically, his point is that there is no unified reason for schooling, but there should be, and offers several suggestions.
I had to include this one by Postman too. If you can't read the whole thing, read the chapter he calls 'a fable' (chapter 8 maybe?) — it articulates the crux of the whole book in a truly exciting and entertaining ten pages or so. Great thoughts as to how education should be less about 'information' and even 'reformation' and more about simply 'formation' of members of a community...
Offers some ideas for solving or ameliorating the problem of students not having an inspiring reason to be active in their education. His solutions are metaphorically termed "gods," which offer narratives for explaining the past and guiding the present and future.
Many of the things discussed here most people would be aware of as issues in the American system. The ways the author proposes to change them are somewhat different but he brings up options that are good for discussion.
I only read a chapter of this for school. That chapter was very worthwhile...how modern education doesn't serve the need of humans for meaning and only satisfies corporate needs for specialization.
Good arguments--as a culture, we've lost sight of the purpose of education. He talks about 5 possible narratives that might explain why education is still important.
Postman enjoys being well-read and referencing everyone. He's got clever ideas for the educational system, but it's not as helpful for teachers & practitioners as I'd hoped.
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Neil Postman, an important American educator, media theorist and cultural critic was probably best known for his popular 1985 book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. For more than four decades he was associated with New York University, where he created and led the Media Ecology program.
He is the author of more than thirty significant books on education, media criticism, and cultural change ...more
More about Neil Postman...
He is the author of more than thirty significant books on education, media criticism, and cultural change ...more
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“Educators may bring upon themselves unnecessary travail by taking a tactless and unjustifiable position about the relation between scientific and religious narratives. We see this, of course, in the conflict concerning creation science. Some educators representing, as they think, the conscience of science act much like those legislators who in 1925 prohibited by law the teaching of evolution in Tennessee. In that case, anti-evolutionists were fearful that a scientific idea would undermine religious belief. Today, pro-evolutionists are fearful that a religious idea will undermine scientific belief. The former had insufficient confidence in religion; the latter insufficient confidence in science. The point is that profound but contradictory ideas may exist side by side, if they are constructed from different materials and methods and have different purposes. Each tells us something important about where we stand in the universe, and it is foolish to insist that they must despise each other.”
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33 people liked it
“The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes.
Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry--is not even a "subject"--but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.”
—
9 people liked it
More quotes…
Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry--is not even a "subject"--but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.”
