Title: Comparing Modernist and Postmodern Educational Theory
Headings: Comparing Modernist and Postmodern Educational Theory
Comparing Modernist and Postmodern Educational Theory
Content: Comparing Modernist and Postmodern Educational Theory






Comparing Modernist and Postmodern Educational Theory
Author
Dennis McCallum

Modernist Theory
Postmodernist Theory
Knowledge
Educators ideally should be authoritative transmitters of unbiased knowledge
Educators are biased facilitators and co-"constructors" of knowledge. Culture
Culture is something students should learn about, but can also be a barrier to learning. Students from diverse cultures must be trained in a shared language, or medium of communication, before teachers can transmit knowledge to them. The modernist goal of unifying society results in domination and exploitation, because unity is always based on dominant culture. All cultures are not only of equal value, but also constitute equally important realities. Minority students must be "empowered" to fight against Eurocentric enculturation. Values
Traditional modernists believe that educators are legitimate authorities on values, and therefore they should train students in universal values. More liberal modernists argue that education should be "values-neutral." Teachers help students with "values clarification"--deciding what values each individual student will hold. Values can, and should be separated from facts.