Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jul 11, 2020 11:56:48 GMT 12
ELIZABETH RATA: NZ HISTORY - WHAT TO TEACH?
History is complex and our understanding is only as good as the latest evidence. That evidence must be provided so students can see that everything must be justified. Opinion and belief are not enough. That’s where we need to bring in philosophers to keep an eye on the justifications given to what the specialists select. Evidence can lead to false inferences. Politics can lead to distorted claims. History is the perfect breeding ground for ideologies.
As a nation, we all need to be involved in discussing what is in our national curriculum. We need specialists to select and, as importantly, justify the selection, not only for New Zealand history but for all subjects. Then the expertise of teachers in designing and teaching is best put to use. What we teach to each generation of New Zealand children is too important to leave to community preference. Covid-19 is restoring our faith in science; that faith needs extending to education. Let’s give the localised curriculum the heave-ho and have the confidence to have a proper national curriculum so we know that all children are receiving the very best knowledge.....
www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/elizabeth-rata-nz-history-what-to-teach
History is complex and our understanding is only as good as the latest evidence. That evidence must be provided so students can see that everything must be justified. Opinion and belief are not enough. That’s where we need to bring in philosophers to keep an eye on the justifications given to what the specialists select. Evidence can lead to false inferences. Politics can lead to distorted claims. History is the perfect breeding ground for ideologies.
As a nation, we all need to be involved in discussing what is in our national curriculum. We need specialists to select and, as importantly, justify the selection, not only for New Zealand history but for all subjects. Then the expertise of teachers in designing and teaching is best put to use. What we teach to each generation of New Zealand children is too important to leave to community preference. Covid-19 is restoring our faith in science; that faith needs extending to education. Let’s give the localised curriculum the heave-ho and have the confidence to have a proper national curriculum so we know that all children are receiving the very best knowledge.....
www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/elizabeth-rata-nz-history-what-to-teach