TITLE:
Experience as the Sought Outcome: From Foundational Skills to Inclusive and Holistic Learning
AUTHORS:
Alexandros Stavrianos, Simon Pratt-Adams
KEYWORDS:
Experiential Learning, Special Educational Needs, Inclusive Education, Curriculum Design
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
7,
2023
ABSTRACT: The early stages of
compulsory education in England were focused on foundational skills like
reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, in the 20th century, there was a
shift towards a more child-centered approach to education, emphasizing the
value of experiential learning. This shift also brought about a more socially
conscious view of special educational needs, moving away from rejection and
isolation towards recognition and respect for the rights of children with SEND.
However, despite this shift towards more inclusive education, exploratory
teaching methods were not widely adopted in primary schools, and instead, a
traditional, classroom-based, adult-led approach continued to prevail. Today,
education is considered a basic human right and is seen as a foundational
element for creating a more just society. In the spirit of inclusive education,
a successful curriculum should be inclusive of all students, regardless of
their academic ability, gender, or cultural background. The curriculum should
be up-to-date, balanced, integrated, and take a holistic approach to meeting
the needs of learners. A successful curriculum should also be grounded in a set
of theoretical and philosophical beliefs about how children learn. Furthermore,
the implementation of a curriculum should take place in three stages: adoption,
implementation, and institutionalisation. It is crucial that the change
proposed by a new curriculum is given time to evolve and become an ongoing part
of the education system. In conclusion, the early stages of compulsory
education in England were focused on foundational skills, but there has been a
shift towards a more child-centered approach to education. This has brought
about a more socially conscious view of special educational needs, but
traditional teaching methods continue to prevail in primary schools. Today,
education is considered a basic human right, and a successful curriculum should
be inclusive of all students and grounded in a set of theoretical and
philosophical beliefs about how children learn. Additionally, the
implementation of a curriculum should take place in three stages to ensure the
proposed change becomes an ongoing part of the education system.