Peer Review

The material, "Dead Certainties: A Post-Modern World" by Andy Hargreaves, explores the shift from the 'modern' to the 'post-modern' world and its implications for education. It discusses how the erosion of faith in scientific certainty, grand theories, and traditional knowledge bases has led to a culture of uncertainty. The text examines the effects of this shift on education, including the obsolescence of fact-based curricula, the questioning of educational purposes, and the need for flexible teaching strategies. The material is designed to provoke critical thinking about the changing role of teachers as 'knowledge-workers' in a post-modern society.

This is a reference material, specifically an edited excerpt from Andy Hargreaves' book Changing Teachers, Changing Times: Teachers’ Work and Culture in the Postmodern Age. It is suitable for use in educational contexts, particularly in teacher education, sociology of education, or curriculum studies.

The material, "Dead Certainties: A Post-Modern World," is highly versatile and can be used in a variety of educational contexts. It is particularly well-suited for in-class discussions, where students can critically engage with the concepts of modernism, post-modernism, and their implications for education. It can also be assigned as a reading for homework or self-paced study, allowing learners to reflect on the material independently. For team-based learning, the text can serve as a foundation for group projects or debates on the role of teachers in a post-modern society. In lecture settings, instructors can use the material to introduce or expand on topics related to educational philosophy, curriculum development, or the sociology of education. Additionally, the material is ideal for professional development workshops for educators, where it can be used to explore the evolving role of teachers as "knowledge-workers" and the challenges of teaching in a rapidly changing world. Its relevance to global educational contexts makes it a valuable resource for comparative education studies as well.

Here are some recommended uses based on its content and learning objectives:

Best Uses of the Material

1. In-Class Discussion (Synchronous or Asynchronous)

   • Ideal for guided discussions in education, philosophy, or sociology courses.
   • Instructors can pose critical thinking questions about the shift from modern to post-modern perspectives in education.
   • Works well in an online discussion board format where students post responses and engage with peers.

2. Homework Reading & Reflection Assignment

   • Assign students to read the material independently and respond to guided reflection questions.
   • Prompts can include:
     • How does post-modernism influence today’s educational practices?
     • What aspects of modern education still persist despite post-modern critiques?

3. Team-Based Analysis & Debate

   • Students work in groups to analyze and present arguments for or against post-modern educational perspectives.
   • One team could defend modernist education principles, while another supports post-modern views.
   • Can be structured as a debate or group presentation.

4. Lecture Supplement

   • Used as a supplementary reading in lectures on educational philosophy, curriculum development, or societal influences on education.
   • Instructors can highlight key concepts from the reading and relate them to contemporary issues in education.

5. Self-Paced Learning

   • Useful for professional development or continuing education for teachers exploring shifts in educational theory.
   • Works well in an online, asynchronous learning environment.

6. Case Study Application

   • Students apply the concepts to real-world examples, such as analyzing how a school’s curriculum reflects modernist or post-modernist principles.
   • They could write a short essay or create a multimedia presentation.

7. Journal Writing or Blog Post Assignment

   • Students reflect on their own experiences as learners or educators and analyze how the themes in the reading relate to their personal and professional perspectives.

• Internet access.
• The material is provided in PDF format and does not require any specific software beyond a standard PDF reader. It is accessible on most devices and platforms through the web. 

The primary goal of the material is to help learners understand the transition from modern to post-modern thinking and its impact on education. It aims to encourage critical reflection on the role of teachers, the nature of knowledge, and the challenges of teaching in a rapidly changing, uncertain world.

These goals help readers engage deeply with the philosophical and practical implications of postmodernism in education.

Major Learning Goals

1. Understand the Shift from Modernism to Postmodernism in Education

   • Explore how global changes have influenced educational thought and practice.
   • Compare and contrast modernist and postmodernist perspectives on knowledge, truth, and teaching.

2. Analyze the Impact of Uncertainty on Education

   • Examine how postmodernism challenges traditional "certainties" in education.
   • Discuss the implications of a rapidly changing world on teaching methods, curriculum design, and educational policies.

3. Critically Reflect on the Role of Educators in a Postmodern World

   • Encourage teachers to reflect on their roles in shaping knowledge in an era of uncertainty.
   • Consider how educators can adapt to diverse perspectives and evolving societal expectations.

4. Examine the Relationship Between Power, Knowledge, and Education

   • Investigate how power structures influence what is taught and valued in schools.
   • Discuss how postmodern thought questions the authority of traditional educational institutions.

5. Develop a Nuanced Perspective on Teaching and Learning

   • Help educators and students move beyond rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches to teaching.
   • Promote flexible, critical, and student-centered approaches to education.

6. Apply Postmodern Perspectives to Contemporary Educational Challenges

   • Connect postmodern theories to real-world issues such as curriculum design, standardized testing, and multicultural education.
   • Encourage discussions on how to foster critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability in learners.

College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

This material is designed for a wide range of learners, including undergraduate and graduate students in education, sociology, or philosophy. It is also suitable for educators, teacher trainers, and policymakers who are interested in understanding the impact of post-modernism on education. The content is particularly relevant for those studying or working in fields related to curriculum development, educational reform, or teacher professional development.

An interest or knowledge of teaching and learning would make the information more relevant.

Learners should have a basic understanding of educational theories, historical developments in education, and key concepts such as modernism, post-modernism, and globalization. Familiarity with critical thinking and analysis is also beneficial.