Critical Review – AW041316_17

Saltmarsh, D. (2011) Movie lessons: cultural politics and the visible practices of schooling, Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, 33 (2): 108–‐131

1.1 Identify the aim of the article. Sum up the point / argument of the article and its significance to education.

The identified purpose behind this article was to highlight the necessity to bring improvement in teaching strategies and methods. Teachers play a significant role in delivering education to children. Often it is the teaching styles that catch the students’ interests and make them more devoted towards the need to learn and yearn. This write up consummately appreciated the Hollywood movies that promoted the hard working teachers and their roles in educating children. This issue of availability of talented candidates as teachers has proved to be one of the most concerning one as students are totally dependent on the teachers. The writer skillfully introduced the purpose of movies on the conscience of the audience in reference to movies that promote education. Often the malediction observed in mentalities of people belonging to urban and rural areas is the stereotypical views that public schools live to provide poor education where as private schools are guaranteed to give excellent education. This unhealthy ideology is refuted by the teaching practices shown in some movies such as ‘Dangerous Minds’, ‘Stand and Deliver’ and ‘The Logic of Leading Children’ etc, which have been discussed in detail. These movies reflected how hard working candidates can be good teachers, be it in public schools or private schools and that is all needed to bring a positive change in students.

Describe the author’s argument accurately. Identify the key points of the article in paragraph form. How does the author make their case? Give at least one example to illustrate a key point

The author enunciated on how whatever we see has a contribution to building of our personality. He then encouraged the making of movies that have played a role in creating awareness for good education through deserving teachers. Right from the introduction the author tried to claim that it is not the different labels of schools that ensure quality education, but it is the team of hardworking individuals beneath the name that can work up to ensure quality products.Throughout the article, the author consistently stated that often teachers are needed who can cater to children’s all sorts of emotional and psychological needs. He tried to establish how teachers have to encounter challenges, be it in the form of strict administration or rejection from the students or any social pressures, etc. For example, in ‘Dangerous Minds’ the students did not accept the teacher and threatened to ‘eat’ her up and how she still survives under a totally unsympathetic administration. In such a situation everything relies on the shoulders of that individual and s/he has to work up to his best to engage students in learning. The need for a talented teacher is to be emphasized because in terms of significance of education, teacher is the portal to convey this education into students. It is necessary to ensure that this portal is not defected .

1.3 What are the underlying assumptions made by the author about the topic under investigation? (Does the author have politicl biases or agendas that shape the way they approach the topic? Does the author adhere to a specific social theory that shapes the way they approach the topic? How might this affect their conclusions?)

According to me, the writer made a few assumptions in this entire article. The assumption at hand was that movies always influence us positively. The category of influence depends on the genre of movie as well as the movie’s level of understanding. Secondly watching these movies can also make us force ourselves to become someone who we are not and did not intend to be, hence this influence can also be negative. Proceeding, another assumption noticed was how the writer claimed the common image of public schools was mostly bad. Now this can very stereotypical as many people have a good image of public schools as well and would give preference to send their children there. Another assumption convey through the script of ‘Dangerous Minds’ was that if a person is in a bad condition, they always have the choice to change their situation. At times it is definitely not in the person’s hands to jump out of the difficulty and even if they have choices, maybe they are equally bad. Also, it is sometimes not the lack of quality provided by teachers that hinders productive growth but the other pressures the child is suffering from which the teacher is unable to understand.

1.4 Evaluate the chapter/article by taking a position in relation to it. Do you agree or disagree with the author’s argument? Why or why not? Why does it matter in terms of social justice and education? (Does the article cause you to think about an issue in a different way than you had previously thought about it? Does it leave some questions unanswered?) Use evaluative phrases.

I totally agree with the writer’s point of view as he has set the foundations on very logical arguments. I believe it is mandatory for a healthy relation to exist between teacher and student as well as amongst the students. ‘In Our Own Voices’ has delivered a very thought provoking and deep message that favors the writer’s point of view immensely. Good teachers are expected to explore the causes of awkward response from children, empathize with them and help them find a route. The writer has rightfully emphasized on the role of teacher in a student’s life and it is very agreeable. According to social justice and education, the writer has justified his part and has proved the importance of capable teachers in education as well as in helping the students to handle the social pressures. He has answered every question and been very convincible.

Critical Review #2, From Week 5

Saltmarsh, S. and Youdell, D. (2004) ‘Special Sport’ for misfits and losers: educational triage and the constitution of schooled subjectivities, International Journal of Inclusive Education, 8 (4): 353–‐373

1.1 Identify the aim of the article. Sum up the point / argument of the article and its significance to education

The purpose of this article is to bring into notice the positive impact of increasing competition on students by demonstrating how increased competition between schools results into enhanced efficiency of these children. But, he clearly establishes how this has led to schools working out of their pool of resources to attract more students, only to end up in out-of-budget situations. So conveniently, the schools decide to employ the leftover resources for children who they believe are worth it. Through this writing, the author is emphasizing on the negative impact of educational triage on children. He further brings into view the role and importance of having sports and physical education as a necessary school activity by highlighting how schools exist to build in discipline and power in the students. This role can be performed by sports in a number of ways hence it should be mandatory. The article emphasizes on the urge to have separate sport classes for shy and introvert students, otherwise neglected in order to provide them with a chance to represent and express themselves and to create discipline in them.

1.2 Describe the author’s argument accurately. Identify the key points of the article in paragraph form. How does the author make their case? Give at least one example to illustrate a key point.

The author establishes his case by starting off with the effects that categorization of students have on them. He further proceeds with informing how this categorization is done usually on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, etc. He continues telling us that the division amongst schools in form of educational triage has resulted in children’s lack of participation in physical education and sports activities. He then maintains his statement by seconding it with the fact that these sports activities build up one’s personality, develops discipline and allows a child to exercise control over his body. For example, the author has discussed in his writing that the importance of sports for the school itself is immense as any lack of participation in sports would lead to the student losing a school certificate. He then brings into notice, the role of other students, bullies in specific in marginalizing these children and contributing to their ill confidence. He says that if these children are neglected, they tend to show poor performances in sports and so they are cornered by the school fellows due to their lack of masculinity. He further adds that discouraging teachers also develop complexes in students, as a result of which they don’t work up to their potential and abilities.

1.3 What are the underlying assumptions made by the author about the topic under investigation? (Does the author have political biases or agendas that shape the way they approach the topic? Does the author adhere to a specific social theory that shapes the way they approach the topic? How might this affect their conclusions?)

The writer made an assumption when he talked about the correction of these kids as losers not because they did not deserve this title but because the teacher feared it would be recorded in some research department. The teacher seemed positive about these kids and did not consider them worth being called losers as they did not utilize their potential, not that they were not capable of anything. Further he seems very biased when he is talking about these kids who are part of the special sport. He continuously blames either the entire system itself or other kids or the teachers for the children’s lack of conformity. He needs to also focus on the other reasons that might be creating such an attitude in those children, be it the family pressure or stress, financial conditions, parental negligence or any such issues. Also the writer claims that the bullied ones are mostly marginalized and they always choose a back seat but this can be an assumption. At times, we see these very children, victims of bullying, working hard and struggling to get a position in school. This collective negative aura around them can generate positive energy in these kids as well.

1.4 Evaluate the chapter/article by taking a position in relation to it. Do you agree or disagree with the author’s argument? Why or why not? Why does it matter in terms of social justice and education? (Does the article cause you to think about an issue in a different way than you had previously thought about it? Does it leave some questions unanswered?) Use evaluative phrases.

The writer has been very convincing in making me believe in the side of story presented by him. It is indeed true how neglected children tend to slaughter their abilities and experience downfalls. It is also important that the Special Sports classes should be arranged for such children but they should not be labelled as ‘special’ or as such because this would give the children a feeling of being odd ones hence creating animosity in them. Such exercises of positive changes should be practiced but these should also guarantee positive outcomes. The writer has been correct in outlining the role of teachers and other school companions in backing up of these children. It matters in terms of social justice and education to provide an atmosphere of equality in schools at least so that children from low backgrounds do not feel like the victim of injustice. Education systems have to be fair enough to educate children as to how they can become the productive members of the society.

Critical Review #3, From Week 7

Richards, C. (2012) Playing under surveillance: gender, performance and the conduct of the self in a primary school playground, British Journal of Sociology of Education, 33 (3): 373—390

1.1 Identify the aim of the article. Sum up the point / argument of the article and its significance to education.

The author aims to review his research findings into the behavior of children and the development of their personality when subjected to the surveillance by teachers in the school playground. It discusses how the children respond to being watched in different ways, dependent sometimes on their gender. They may sometimes make surveillance a part of their play by acting for an audience, or they may create drama around it and consider the teachers to be the audience of their imagination: football game onlookers or surveillance agents who must be avoided at all costs. The author points out how the children get educated in time-management and self-monitoring as a result of transition between classrooms and playgrounds and the surveillance respectively. The article does add a new perspective to learning and education and is significant to affect how educationalists might think of learning outside the classroom. Most importantly, the author talks about knowledge beyond the books which forms the basis of why many toppers don’t succeed as professionals and vice-versa. The evidence in the article supports the development of “practical” traits among children; such as time management, self-management, impression management, inter-personal skills, multi-tasking, etc.

1.2 Describe the author’s argument accurately. Identify the key points of the article in paragraph form. How does the author make their case? Give at least one example to illustrate a key point.

The author aims to highlight that play is not just a ‘free’ time rather it also helps in developing significant traits in the students. Moreover, surveillance does not end at monitoring the students’ behavior, but once again helps in positively molding their personality and habits. The author discusses different kinds of play researched over eighteen months and puts forward the conclusions made, to support his line of discussion. For example, the author talks about how the boys play football during the break hour restaging 2010 World Cup Final with their own changes, imagining the teachers and school fellows as an audience of millions and ‘media’ enjoying their superhero moves. Not only does their play evoke creativity and imagination, it is also a show of their masculinity and their representation of self in a social context. Moreover, limiting and managing their game in a period of 45 minutes with an allowance for lining up teaches them the principle of time management. Abiding by the game’s rules as well as the playground rules enforced by the school regulates their behavior and develops self-monitoring. The transition in the code of conduct from playground to classroom and vice versa develops self-management. The routine overall enables them to learn to operate collectively and conduct themselves individually in a social group.

The author has made the assumption that all children react positively to being monitored. It doesn’t discuss the behavior of such students who may rather be paranoid, shy or nervous of such surveillance and its resulting impacts on their personality development. Such students, in my point of view may avoid any activity that may put them in the limelight for they are more sensitive to any form of observation. Also, not all children are keen towards physical play and may like to spend time talking or rather be on their own. Therefore, all these learning and development opportunities may not be available for these students in the school playground which the author points out is an essential equal to the classroom. This realization that not all children behave alike suggests that the playtime and surveillance may affect them in a different manner altogether which is not discussed in the article.

I thought of surveillance in the school play hour as a check up on the student behavior and an attempt to avoid fights, arguments and accidents or supervision in case of one etc. The article puts forward the idea in a new and different light and chalks out the role of surveillance in the growth of the students. The author’s research justifies the suggestion that surveillance helps develop a code of conduct in the students as they must avoid rowdy behavior in front of the teacher. Moreover, it may instill a gendered code of conduct among the children as certain forms of play are encouraged among the girls while others in boys. Descriptions of certain make-believe games help us conclude rightly that the children not only learn to cope with surveillance, but they also manage to enjoy ‘under’ and ‘with’ surveillance making it a part of their game. The time limitations teach them time management as children create different activities for the changing durations of the intervals. Also, they are able to create intense games enabling them to explore their age and gender positions or leave these restrictions altogether. Children learn to operate in social groups as they play together with school fellows and the surveillance helps them respect the inscribed set of rules that apply in every walk of life. Lastly, crowded places where the spaces of different play groups often overlap and cross, children get trained in maintaining intense focus while turning their back on everything else. The author’s arguments are strong and while I do agree this may be true for many; I do also feel that quite some children are rather introvert and one might ask if a similar research is to be repeated on children who are shy or introvert, would the results be the same?

Critical Review #4, From Week 8

Perera, S. and Pugliese, J. (1998) A school for racism: pedagogy in the face of ethnicity, Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 19 (2): 157–‐170

1.1 Identify the aim of the article. Sum up the point / argument of the article and its significance to education.

The article aims at highlighting the failure of the education system to approach the multicultural society of Australia. It seeks its readers to reconsider and rethink the philosophy behind the educational practices such as ESL information sheets and celebration of Multicultural Days. Such practices encourage racism rather than national unity in the youth; the pioneers of the future of Australia, and hence the resulting disturbance and violence in the society. The study’s significance to education is mild because while such prejudices can affect the process of learning; especially for the minorities, however, the overall influence is more of social nature than educational particularly. That being said, attending to the problem can indeed improve the learning environment amongst the minorities.

1.2 Describe the author’s argument accurately. Identify the key points of the article in paragraph form. How does the author make their case? Give at least one example to illustrate a key point.

The author argues the effectiveness of the government and educational policies in establishing a multicultural society. He discusses various measures that have been taken to build tolerance among the Anglo-Australians towards other minority ethnic groups and how these measures have done quite the opposite while fueling racism and ethnic violence. For example, he discusses one such government policy to ban immigrants from Millet and Indonesia because of the ethnic violence attached to their histories. Such policies are ironic for Australia’s history is filled with such episodes of intolerance. Moreover, these policies have been built to keep away people who may weaken the country’s image as ‘a fair go for all’, when in effect; the policy itself conflicts with the desired imagery. He further highlights educational measures like ESL information sheets and celebration of Multicultural Day introduced to educate teachers on different ethnic backgrounds of students and give them representation. This in turn, however, widens the gap and labels the children with presumed characteristics of their ethnicity. The author says that the government’s attempt to establish multiculturalism is also debatable for it is based on assimilation which really wipes out the history, language, customs, etc of the indigenous Australians in an attempt to blend them with the Anglo Australians. To eradicate differences between the Anglo and the anti-Anglo, the government’s measures consisted of inter-marriages and forcibly taking children from their parents and sending them to welfare institutions or white households to be instilled with the values of the civilized. These acts are not in line with tolerance to multiculturalism but rather promote monoculture.

The subject of the article deals with the problems faced in schools by the students from multiple cultures and ethnic backgrounds; hence there is little that can be said in favor of the current policies responsible for the same. It discusses the reasons for implementation of certain policies before pointing out the resulting problems leaving it to the reader to form his own opinions. The whole article is in a debatable fashion, opening up areas of discussion and putting forward different point of views. However, the author does show bias to the policies of Pauline Hanson and without much argument, completely labels them as racist. The author is convinced that all so called multiculturalism activities are in line with racism and hence the article doesn’t acknowledge any positive effects of the measures taken. The article hence concludes with the idea that these measures have widened the gulf between the Anglo-Australians and non-Anglo-Australians and divided them into two groups rather than bringing them closer together and eradicating the differences.

To an observer it may seem that Australia is home to different ethnic groups enriching its culture and heritage as well as adding thrill to the lives of dwellers as they meet and live with people of different backgrounds and histories. The article however opens up one’s eyes and gives a microscopic view to the real life problems of these immigrants who are often, if not always, seen as outsiders and intruders who need to be ‘blended-in’ to be acceptable.

I agree to the author’s debate and find it completely valid that it’s the classroom where either racist or multicultural personalities are developed. The examples given by the author from the ‘Heartbreak kid’ and ‘Billal’ further proves the point. The author’s plight that these children would grow up to take part in the multicultural politics and shape the nation’s future, is reason enough to reconsider and reshape these educational policies to cater to these ethnic problems for these children tomorrow may lead to or curb the ensuing violence worldwide. Moreover, the article points out that the policies implemented do more to widen the gap then to overcome it as it categorizes the children into two broad categories, Anglo Australians and non-Anglo Australians. The use of these terms altogether makes many policies invalid and dysfunctional as it weakens the philosophy of multiculturalism and enforces the concept of landowners and outsiders, which too is a matter of dominance by a certain group, in this case the Anglo-Australians, for Australia rightly belonged to the Aborigines before being discovered by the advanced Europe.