The podcast dives into the debate over the relevance of Shakespeare in modern education. The hosts explore if replacing classic literature with contemporary texts neglects cultural heritage. They discuss the decline in reading for pleasure among teenagers and the impact of education on this trend. The conversation also touches on the challenges of teaching poetry, highlighting the importance of oracy skills. Personal anecdotes add a relatable touch as they navigate educational policies and the emotional struggles tied to them.
The debate over removing Shakespeare from the curriculum raises concerns about preserving cultural heritage while accommodating modern literary forms.
Educators need to prioritize teaching classic literature that promotes critical thinking and social commentary rather than following transient trends in media.
The decline in reading engagement among students, particularly boys, underscores the importance of an inspiring educational environment that fosters a love for literature.
Deep dives
The Role of Innovative Learning Platforms in Education
Innovative online learning platforms like Carousel Learning have the potential to significantly enhance students' memory retention and improve teaching strategies. These platforms provide tools for homework, classwork, and detailed analytics, ultimately reducing educators' workloads. This allows teachers to focus more on engaging with students and facilitating learning rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks. By utilizing technology in education, teachers can strategically plan for retrieval practice over time, which can foster better educational outcomes.
Palliative Care and the Role of Doulas
Palliative care is essential for providing comfort and dignity to patients at the end of life, and it is a topic that is often misunderstood. The work of Catherine Mannix highlighted how proper palliative care can transform the experience of dying into one that is less painful and more dignified for both patients and their families. The podcast discusses the concept of a death doula, who can guide families through the complexities of dying, helping them navigate grief and prepare for what lies ahead. Such support is increasingly relevant as the existing care infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of patients and their families.
Concerns Over the British Exam System
The British exam system is critiqued as being unfit for purpose, particularly due to financial challenges facing schools and the lack of resources to properly address students' needs. There are concerns that exam boards are exploiting these vulnerabilities, allowing students to leave the educational system with inadequate examination experiences. The podcast highlights inconsistencies in the English exam marking process, where subjective interpretations can result in grades that do not reflect students' true abilities. Calls for accountability within exam boards emphasize the need for better practices and fairness in assessments.
Debate Over English Literature Curriculum
A controversial article suggests that schools scrap traditional English literature texts in favor of more modern communication forms, like social media posts. The hosts express concern over this idea, arguing that classic literature, including works by authors like Dickens and Shakespeare, provides valuable lessons about the human condition that cannot be replaced. They emphasize the importance of studying texts that promote serious social commentary and critical thinking, rather than lowering the educational bar to accommodate fleeting trends. Teaching literature is framed as an opportunity for students to engage with deeper societal themes and develop empathy.
The Variation of Student Engagement in Reading
A significant decline in students' reading engagement over recent years highlights a troubling trend in literacy among young people. While data shows a collapse in boys' reading enjoyment, it's argued that this cannot be solely attributed to the English literature curriculum in schools. Interestingly, research indicates that students enjoy reading more when they are in school compared to at home, suggesting that the educational environment can foster a positive attitude toward reading. Ultimately, the podcast advocates for nurturing students' interests in literature while recognizing that not every teenager will develop a love for reading, and that’s acceptable.
In this episode, Adam and Amy delve into the English curriculum and look at whether the calls to ditch Shakespeare in favour of more modern texts are warranted or do violence to our cultural heritage.
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