...To explain the role of education we need to look at education through different theories, a theory is a way of looking at the world. Within Sociology there are a number of theories, these include; Functionalism, Marxism, Interactionism, Feminism and Post-modern theory. Functionalists believe that society is made up of four parts; the Economy, the family, decision making and education. They believe that each part functions for the good of the whole. French Sociologist Emile Durkheim defined the major function of education from a Functionalist view as “the transmission of society’s norms and values”, the role of education is to socialise children into these norms and values which include behaviour, discipline, respect and manners (Haralambo and Holborn, 2008). The functionalist approach argues that education has three functions, it teaches the skills needed in work whether these are general or specific skills, it socialises young people into key cultural values needed to maintain society and it allocates people to the most appropriate jobs using examinations and qualifications. Functionalists put an emphasis on positive aspects of schools such as socialisation and the learning of skills and attitudes. Schools have rules and regulations and a system of reward and punishment such as stickers for good behaviour and detention for mis-behaviour. American sociologist Parson defines education as a system that selects children into the most appropriate roles because it is “Meritocratic”...
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...Theories of Education Historically, American education served both political and economic needs, which dictated the function of education. Today, sociologists and educators debate the function of education. Three main theories represent their views: the functionalist theory, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interactionist theory. The functionalist theory The functionalist theory focuses on the ways that universal education serves the needs of society. Functionalists first see education in its manifest role: conveying basic knowledge and skills to the next generation. Durkheim (the founder of functionalist theory) identified the latent role of education as one of socializing people into society's mainstream. This “moral education,” as he called it, helped form a more‐cohesive social structure by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, which echoes the historical concern of “Americanizing” immigrants. Functionalists point to other latent roles of education such as transmission of core values and social control. The core values in American education reflect those characteristics that support the political and economic systems that originally fueled education. Therefore, children in America receive rewards for following schedules, following directions, meeting deadlines, and obeying authority. The most important value permeating the American classroom is individualism—the ideology that advocates the liberty rights, or independent action, of the individual...
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...Assess the view that the education system exists mainly to select and prepare young people for their future work roles. In this essay, one will assess the view that the education system exists mainly to select and prepare young people for their future work roles. Some sociologists agree to this statement but at the same time other sociologists do not agree. The functionalists have a positive outlook to education they say that social institutions such as education perform positive functions for both the society and individuals, by socialising new members of society and by helping to create and maintain social solidarity. According to Durkheim (1903), he sees the major function of education as the transmission of society’s norms and values. He believed that in order for society to co-operate they needed to have a ‘sense of belonging’ and that the education played an important part in this process. He argued that education performed a function that cannot be done by either family or peer group and also argued that education teaches individuals specific skills to prepare them for future occupations, therefore education transmits both general values and specific skills. Although Durkheim (1903)’s argument was positively straight forward he was however criticised because he assumed that societies have a shared culture which can be transmitted through education but countries like Britain are now multi-cultural and it is debatable whether there is a single culture on which...
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...George Halifax (1660) once said “Education is what remains when we have forgotten all that have been taught.” In the simplest term education is a form of acquiring knowledge, skills, values and norms that are transferred from one generation to the next through training and teaching. Formal and informal are the two main categories of education, parents are said to be a child’s first teacher, this indicate informal education starts at home as a way of passing on the ways and expectations of society to children (socialization). Formal education usually takes place in an institution such as school, college and universities, although in The U.S.A and other developed countries it can be done at home, the tool of operation for formal education is a recognised curriculum. In Britain formal education was made accessible to the masses through the 1944 Education Act with the aim to give every pupil an equal chance to develop their ability. Previously formal education in Britain was available only to the upper and middle classes of society who could afford it. Even so there different school for each class with different ambitions: The upper classes attended Public schools that was to train them in preparation for leadership of society whiles the middle classes attended grammar schools that prepare them to manage industries. The working class receive very minimal education often run by churches (class note). It is not surprising, that the aim of education has proved to be an issue of contention...
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...functionalism to our understanding of the role of education (20 marks) Functionalists have a fairly positive view of education, however they do say that if one institution fails then the others do aswell. It is a common belief amongst functionalists that all institutions such as education help to maintain social order by performing main functions. Education in an institution that is considered an agency of social control which makes sure that norms and values are followed as they believe that by following these will prevent social issues. Functionalists Davis and Moore said that the education system was potentially involved with social inequality. They believed that education is used for selection and role allocation. They argued that social inequality was necessary in society because it meant that the most important and functional jobs were allocated to the most intellectual and skilled individuals. This view that Davis and Moore identified can be criticised because the most functional jobs don’t always get the highest pay, for example, doctors have a very functional job and benefit society, however they get paid less that people who work in the music industry. Durkheim identified that the education system performs two main functions. The first function that Durkheim identified was ‘creating and maintaining social solidarity’ which is where people are made to feel that they belong and fit in in their society. He argued that the education system helped to perform the function...
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...Sociology revision Education School factors [Cultural:] • Labelling theory / self-fulfilling prophecy • Streaming / Banding / Setting • Class, gender, ethnic background • Formal Curriculum (middle class knowledge) • Hidden curriculum • Anti-school subcultures (Male: Willis / Female: Lees) • Language and textbooks (anti-female / black bias) • Gender relationships (teacher -pupil / pupil-pupil) • Gendered curriculum (patriarchal) • Teacher expectations, attitudes and behaviour (Nash) • Single / Dual sex schooling • Examination and skill changes (GCSE, A-level, Coursework) • Changing attitudes to / expectations of work (males and females) Functionalist approach to education Meritocracy- System where people are rewarded on the basis of ability and talent 1. Socialisation- education helps to maintain society by socializing young people into the norms and values. Durkheim argued that education was promoting individualism and that it could lead to social solidarity ( a state with of lack of shared norms) 2. Parsons suggested that educations form a bridge between the family and the wider society by socializing children to adapt a meritocratic view. 3. Davis and Moore – role allocation, Education allocates people to the most appropriate job for their talents 4. Skills provision- education teaches the skills requires by the modern industrial society. 5. Durkheim says that education passes on norms...
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...FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITI SELANGOR BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (HONS) TESL CPS 2313 EDUCATION SOCIOLOGY ASSIGNMENT: THEORIES AND RESEARCH IN EDUCATION SOCIOLOGY PREPARED BY: MOHAMAD AZHAARI SHAH BIN SULAIMAN 4123003611 IZZAT WAZZIR IMAN BIN 4123000401 PREPARED FOR: TUAN HAJI BAGHAWI SARBINI 2.1 Definition of Educational Sociology Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) who is regarded as the ‘father’ of sociology of education clearly defines sociology of education as “a systematic study sociological perspective”. This definition of sociology of education is suitable because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. It clearly states that it is important to know sociology before knowing what sociology of education is. This is because sociology is related sociology of education. The statement “sociological perspective” stresses the social context in which people live such as society. Society is a group of people who share a certain culture and a territory. Perspective is a view of the world and it is referred to as a sociological preservative or sociological imagination. Durkheim’s statement helps us to understand that sociological perspective opens a window to another world or unfamiliar world. As we look at other world or our own, sociological imagination casts another form of light on us. This in return enables us to gain a new vision of social life. In other words it helps us to find out why people do what they do like...
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...Conceptual Framework Most research reports cast the problem statement within the context of a conceptual or theoretical framework.4 A description of this framework contributes to a research report in at least two ways because it (1) identifies research variables, and (2) clarifies relationships among the variables. Linked to the problem statement, the conceptual framework “sets the stage” for presentation of the specific research question that drives the investigation being reported. For example, the conceptual framework and research question would be different for a formative evaluation study than for a summative study, even though their variables might be similar. Scholars argue that a conceptual or theoretical framework always underlies a research study, even if the framework is not articulated.5 This may seem incongruous, because many research problems originate from practical educational or clinical activities. Questions often arise such as “I wonder why such an event did not [or did] happen?” For example, why didn't the residents' test-interpretation skills improve after they were given feedback? There are also occasions when a study is undertaken simply to report or describe an event, e.g., pass rates for women versus men on high-stakes examinations such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1. Nevertheless, it is usually possible to construct at least a brief theoretical rationale for the study. The rationale in the USMLE example may be, for...
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...TermPaperWarehouse.com - Free Term Papers, Essays and Research Documents The Research Paper Factory Join Search Browse Saved Papers Home Page » Other Topics The Importance of Educational Research In: Other Topics The Importance of Educational Research The Importance of Conducting Research in an Educational Setting Human beings conduct research every day. They do so in many different ways and in many different settings. One important area is education. Conducting research in an educational setting should be an important aspect of every educator’s professional life. Best and Kahn (1993) describe research as “the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events” (p. 27). Education in a research setting is done to improve school practices and at the same time to improve those individuals who strive to improve those practices (Best & Kahn, 1993). The importance of research in an educational setting is often overlooked, however. Those in academia often consider research as a way to earn tenure or remain in favor by the university that employs them. Faculty who wish to thrive in the university setting must publish or perish in order to remain employed. Educators often forget that they are failing to fulfill their pedagogical responsibilities if they do not remain current in their...
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...Education is a co-current state level subjects and under the Indian Constitution education is made a Fundamental Right and Directive Principles of State Policy further needed free education and other facilities to children. There is no discrimination among the people on the basis of religion, caste or creed/faith etc. However, the minorities are given right to run their own educational institutions with financial aid from Government and they are free to introduce their religion, language in their institution. Education is compulsory and free upto primary standard. Indian education system has a wide structure and the educational institutions can introduce the education or learning pattern as below VA years in pre-nursery schools, in the primary schools upto V class or so. Education is further upgraded upto 10+2 system where the examinations are conducted by the Board at 10 and 12. Thereafter, students are free to choose the courses of their own at any stage, i.e. primary, secondary, senior secondary level. Schools are of different levels. Local Boards run the schools upto Primary, V standard, both in mother tongue and English medium. Thereafter the schools may upgrade themselves upto X known as Secondary schools. They can also be upgraded upto 12, called Senior Secondary schools. The education is a co-current (state level) subject and the Central Government cannot interfere in their functioning. As such schools are pre- primary, pre-nursery, then primary, secondary and senior...
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...Education Research Paper Writing Education research paper is a particular type of college research paper that has to be considered by every students involved in the writing research paper process. It is often misunderstood that only students in education will be required to write this type of paper. In actual fact, every research paper should be considered an education research paper or an edification paper in which the student will have to infuse some learning into the readers. Therefore, you should decide on a topic that you know much about and which you think will call for action in the minds of your readers. You should seek for assistance in doing so from www.MasterPapers.com. If your paper is an education or edification, organization and choice of words used is what matters most. If you are writing your paper using any particular referencing style, make sure you represent all the features of that style in the paper. Keep in mind that your paper must be full of examples and illustrations and this is one of the easiest ways to educate your readers. Your language should be simple and easy for all to understand what you are teaching. In fact, you should consider your paper to be more than a good research paper to a sample research paper because others will have to make reference to your paper. Therefore, do not discard support from research and writing services like www.MasterPapers.com. An education paper should have something new to the readers. Therefore, you should...
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...Assess the view that the most important factor affecting differential education attainment is material factors (20 marks) Children from materially deprived homes are at a disadvantage as they may not be able to afford the resources needed for educational purposes such as Textbooks, pens/pencils, computers/technology etc, also they may not be able to afford uniform meaning that they will have to use, used, worn and shabby uniform from the lost and found which could lead to bullying. Since poverty and deprivation apply only to children from working class backgrounds in many cases, these are potential causes of differential educational achievement, lack of money for transport, school trips, technology, these make a difference between a good, healthy education and a bad, unhealthy one as these things are vital, without such things they’re education is affected and they would be most likely unrecognizably behind which could affect students grades which would most likely lead to the cycle of deprivation. In all social groups class plays a large role in attainment of children in education, for example a particular book or a particular type of researched homework may be asked from a teacher with a class of both middle and working class students, it is more probable for the middle class students to have completed it but on the other hand the working class student may not be able to afford the book or even have access to a computer to do any research needed and that therefore may lead...
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...Sociology can be seen as the scientific study of groups in the human society and social interactions which aims to understand social situations, which looks for repeating patterns in society. Sociology can be seen as a natural science because it consists of those disciples which apply systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses to the study of society. Sociology can be seen as one of the social sciences which had a late start; the subject of sociology fell on it way in the middle of the 1800. When the American society was in the middle of the Industrial Era. Sociology developed great recognition during this time with the great success of the French and American Revolution. The first and main contributor to sociology in the social world was Auguste Comte; his method of practice was called positivism which states that “the theory that knowledge can be acquired only through direct observation and experimentation, and not through metaphysics or theology.” Another major contributor to sociology was Herbert Spencer; he was credited in finding the Science as a field of study. Spencer came up with the idea of Social Darwinism which implies “people would gravitate to either the bottom or the top of society…the principle was termed “survival of the fittest.”” Karl Marx also played a huge part of early Sociology. Marx was a social activist who came up with the theory of class conflict, which says that; “the lower and...
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...What is Sociology of Education? Posted on December 27, 2010 by Sitwe This essay will firstly define education and sociology then it will define what sociology of education is and come up with a suitable definition on sociology of education from various definitions. This suitable definition will be discussed further because it speaks much of what goes on in education system. Peter Snelson (1974) defines education as a condition of human Survival. It is the means where by one generation Transmits the wisdom, knowledge and experience Which prepares the next generation for life duties And pleasure. This definition on education helps us to act with more insight and more intelligence in molding the youth in an acceptable manner. We can give a sound academic mission to the youth by teaching them survival skills such as carpentry, pottery, basketry and other survival skills which can better their lives. Human beings not only acquire new skills but also form the society. To this effect parents and teachers should work hand in hand in order to help the youths themselves have knowledge and in coming up with relevant ways it’s a matter of assisting them. By teaching the young ones, knowledge is transmitted from one generation to the next. This simply enlightens us that education is a continuous process. The statement “sky is the limit” helps us to have a wide knowledge about all aspects of education. Education prepares individuals to do things it is their responsibility to do them. For instance...
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...Why Study Sociology of Education? There are several answers to this question. Someday you may be a professional in the field of education or in a related field; you will be a tax payer, if you aren’t already; you may be a parent with children in the school system; right now you are a student involved in higher or continuing education. If you are sociology major, you are studying education as one of the major institutions of society; if you are an education major, sociology can give you a new perspective on your field. You may be at college in pursuit of knowledge; or it may be that this course is required, or you need the credit, or the teacher is supposed to be good, or it fits into your schedule. Let’s consider these reasons further. Ⅰ.Teachers and Other Professionals In 1990, of all college graduates, 104,715, or 10 percent, were graduated in the field of education, and many hold teaching positions. Many other college graduates will teach in their respective academic fields as social work and business have regular contact with schools when dealing with clients and employees. Ⅱ.Taxpayers Taxpayers finance schools at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels. Almost 100 percent of the bills for physical plants, materials, salaries, and other essentials come from tax monies. In 1989, revenues for schools, a large amount of which is from sales, income, and property taxes, come from three sources: 6.2 percent from federal government, 47.7 percent from states...
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