Education's Dual Role in Development

Part 1: Essay Plan

Essay title: Charter 7 of the Reader argues that ‘while an education can be seen as important for supporting children’s cognitive, social and emotional development, schools can also be considered as the institutions for the reproduction of social differences’ (Cooper, 2016, p.162). Describing and explaining the key arguments and presenting evidence in the module materials (Reader and online) support this claim.

Part 2: Essay

Charter 7 of the Reader argues that ‘while an education can be seen as important for supporting children’s cognitive, social and emotional development, schools can also be considered as institutions for the reproduction of social differences’ (Cooper, 2016, p.162). Describing and explaining the key arguments and showing evidence in the module materials (Reader and online) support this claim.

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Different psychological views on education has arisen over the years. Education for most of us is associated with teacher and making friends (Cooper, 201, p.145). However, schooling also concentrates on children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Early years education has very crucial impact on children’s development. Education can also be shaped by cultural and economic factors. Unfortunately, children in some places in the world can’t attend to schools. Or if they have that chance, the equipment is very basis. Yet, education may have impact on social difference. The main issue is, how disabled children are treated in the society and how society should adapt so they should feel valued and could be treated fairly. This essay will show how education influence on children. Both as having positive impact on child development and as creating social variances. This essay will also look at schooling from a global perspective and will focus on how education is treated in different countries across the world.

First, it is important to look at psychological perspectives on education. Both Cooper (2016) and the Open University (2018) show their views that has changed over the times. In late seventeenth century, John Locke, English philosopher (1632-1704) cited in (Cooper, 2016), who has seen children as “blank slate” (Cooper, 2016 p.148), included modern languages and geography in education. He focused on knowledge– based teaching. In the middle of eighteenth century another philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Genevan philosopher (1712 - 1778) cited in (Cooper, 2016), focused on how children should learn rather than what they should learn. Formal schooling within the UK was not compulsory until the passing of the Elementary Education Act (EEA) in 1870. Within this organisation, education has been promoted for the children between the ages 5 and 10 years old and was relay on voluntary contributions. The Education Act of 1944 has been introduced an eleven plus exam which determinates the entry to three different types of secondary school. After the Second World War, comprehensive education has been introduced in the UK. Education system in Europe is influenced by John Dewey’s education program, which includes child-cantered learning and progressive education. Current formal schooling in the UK reflects many of philosophical position and political movement.

There is very significant impact on children’s cognitive, social and emotional development in the early years of education. The Open University (2018) in week 19 “Early years policy and practice” shows that, policy has an important influence on principles and practices in early learning in Scotland. By attending to different group setting, young children make their first relationship, learn how to play with others, teach by following their older peers and develop language and social skills. The same as early years education, formal schooling can shape child development, contribute to escape from poverty and lead to social stability. Psychology, sociology, economics and anthropology provide different ways to understand the positive impact of education. Psychological research shows how education supports child development through “scaffolding”. Wood et al. (1976) introduced the term “scaffolding” as a metaphor to describe the process by which an adult supports a child to carry out a task, which is beyond the child’s capability to complete alone (Cooper, 2016 p. 158). The same research also shows how education supports children’s cognitive, social and emotional development particularly for the children, who don’t have adult support at home. From economics point of view, formal schooling is very important. Children can gain knowledge and skills, which have positive impact on their lives. Education may provide a path out from poverty especially in culture, where social status sets about children’s schooling. Next paragraph shall submit examples from India.

Education system is not the same across of international borders of the whole world. In some places, children do not have a chance to attend the schools. There are lots of factors formed it. Social, cultural and economic factors can affect children’s education in different culture. There is a picture of this in The Open University (2018), which shows how education is shaped in India. In their schooling system, casts still govern. It is hard to believe that, up to 1950 children from lower casts did not have a chance to educate. This situation has improved but only 5% of lower casts children can attend to school together with higher casts. However, there is ongoing pressure on these children due to the fact that, they need to achieve high level of exams results to keep their place. Due to that, children from high casts must improve better because their places have been reduced by children from lower casts. The economic issue has also a big impact on the education system in India. Parents usually spend all money to pay for the education of their children. Sometimes they must take a loan to pay for it. They want the best for their children, so they will do everything to give them a chance to live better life and better future. They know, that being educated give you a chance to have better job and better income in adulthood. Another one example of education in India is Harika’s story presented in Cooper (2016 p. 154). Harika’s schooling is sponsored by her cousin. Her parents would prefer Harika to work in cotton field, but they know that once she gets educated, she will have a chance to have better job and better husband. In Indian culture girls like Harika’s age, are getting married and becoming pregnant. In India’s culture people believe that, education gives them a route out of poverty and also better employment. However, this is not assured.

Education can also be considered as imitation of social difference. According to Barnardo’s and Whizz-Kidz (p. 167) there are approximately 770,000 disabled children in the UK. There are few different models of disabilities, but this paragraph will summaries two of them. First one is the medical model, which is based on medical diagnose and gives label to disabled children. Historically impaired children have been isolated and plotted from society. There was no medical cure for these children. Humanity more concentrated on how to curve them rather than how society can change to accommodate their variety. Fortunately, this view has changed and nowadays, the societies is more open for the children with disabilities. Second is the social model of disability, which locate disability within the society and says that, society must change no individual. Module book provide excellent example on the social model. Next paragraph illustrates it.

“Winnie the Witch” wrote by Thomas and Paul (2006) cited in Cooper (2016, p.172) represent a social model of disability. Winnie is the witch, who has black cat called Wilburn and lives in black house where everything is black. When the cat shouts his and blends into furniture, Winnie can’t see him and sits on him. To avoid this situation again, the witch changes Wilburn to bright green colour. The cat is visible inside the house but when they go outside, the cat mixes with grass and Winnie enters on him again. So, she changes him to me multicolour. But when Wilburn goes outside, birds laugh at him and he feels foolish. The witch notices that cat is unhappy and decides to restore him to black and changes her house to be multicolour, so the cat can be visible and happy. Authors present Wilburn as disabled child. Winnie as society. The house representing the environment and the birds the attitudes of other people. This metaphor explains how society can shape our idea of ourselves. Also, how by forcing changes on changing individuals, makes them unhappy. And finally, how making changes in environment and in society, benefit to all.

This paragraph explains how disabilities and being labelled can affect children’s lives. The Open University (2018) is based on dyslexia and dyscalculia examples. Dyslexia is specific learning difficulty. Main features of dyslexia are mapping speech and language into wright words and problem to analysis sounds of words. Another disability which affects youngster’s lives is dyscalculia which manifests in difficulties with numbers. People with dyscalculia see numbers as entity, not like numbers within numbers. Form them Math’s is just an instruction to count. They can't understand difference between the size of numbers. Both disabilities affect reading, writing and overall delay in learning for individual child. Children with dyslexia and dyscalculia feel different than their peers. Vary often are the reason to laugh which make them feel angry, frustrated and depressed. This can lead to mental health problems and even to suicide.

In conclusion, education may have positive impact on children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Both early years and late schooling have positive impact on children’s development. In some cultures, people believe that education gives opportunity to get out of poverty road and have better employment, but this is not assured. Schooling can also be considered as imitation of social difference. Unfortunately, even in twenty-first century, disabled children are still treated as different and are likely to taunt. Being labelled can lead to anxiety, depression and other mental health issue, even suicide. Hopefully one day children with disabilities won’t fell different and their position in society will improve.

Part 3: Reflections

By reflecting on your completed Learning journals 5 and 6, summaries your learning and development in the following areas:

a. What have you learned about yourself regarding your study skills? How has this developed since the beginning of the module? What areas need to be developed further?

I need to start this part, from saying that this module was the most interesting to me. I have gained technical and academical knowledge. I have learned how to get prepared to write academic essay and how to write it. The online activities for week 18 are very helpful. I was very stressed on the beginning of the module because I was not aware that this kind of information and advices will be available for us. I was really surprised when I saw that whole week is dedicated to write academic essays on childhood. I was so pleased that examples are in line with the module subject. This helped me to understand the principles of writing academic essay better. I was also really astonished that we must produce an essay plan. I have never done it before. Now I know, that essay plan is very good idea and very helpful in writing essay. Once you have produced a good essay plan, typing will be much easier. This is my first one, so I hope I did it correct.

My study habits have improved some since TMA02, but I am late with submission of my assessment, which makes me feel low a little bit. Mainly, this is due to my family situation, which has been finished successful.

My time spending on reading and making notes have improved. I am much quicker now. I think this is due to practice more and being more familiar with the subject and vocabulary. I also have noticed that, I spend more time on areas, which I am interested in. Especially this module, which I like the most. I do start to enjoy writing assessments. I think the more you do the easier it comes. I know that I am late with this submission but overall, I see progress. I am more confident while I am writing and do not hesitate too much when I want to write something.

I still need to be more systematic and learn on weekly basis, rather not leaving everything in last minute. That’s my worst habit. The main problem is time which I spend with my friends. I also still need to improve my English, vocabulary and academic skills.

b. What resources or sources of support might you draw upon in order to address these?

I know it is very bad, especially we are closer to finish our first year, but I need to be firmer. I must do activities on weekly basis. I need to explain my friend that I am unavailable while I must study. The problem is I am not assertive at all, but I am working on it. I know I am a little bit deconcentrated too and that doesn’t help me to meet my goals. I still attend yoga classes, so hopeful this will help me with my concentration. Regarding to improving my English, I have starter reading English books (unfortunately not in line with subject) which I found quite difficult but very motivated. I also bought a car which allows me to listen radio and the same improving my English skills.

References

Cooper, V. (2016) ‘Education and the impact of schooling” in Farrington-Flint, L. and Montgomery, H. (eds) An Introduction to Childhood Studies and Child Psychology, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

Montgomery, H. and Sheehy, K. (2016) ‘Understanding disabled children’s experiences’ in Farrington-Flint, L and Montgomery H. (eds) An Introduction to Childhood Studies and Child Psychology, Milton Keynes, The Open University.