Postmodern, postfordist education

2. • Postmodernism is based on the view that
society has entered a new phase.
• Fragmentation.
• Death of the meta-narrative.
• Flexibility.
• Relativity of truth.

3. In a diverse fragmented society
people can ‘pick and mix’ identity.

4. Fordism = assembly line mass production

5. We have largely shifted away from this type of
production.
New technology and electronic media has had a
huge impact.
Production now based on ‘Flexible Specialisation’
This calls for a different kind of worker.

6. Fordism
Post-Fordism
Work
Low level of skill
Routine, repetitive work
Skilled, adaptable
workforce
Transferable skills
School
Inequality is necessary
(Bowles and Gintis)
Self-motivation
Self-supervision
Creativity
Transferable skills
Education is moving towards education being customised for the
individual.

7. Modern
Education controlled by state
One size fits all
Fixed in time (strict timetable)
Fixed period in life
Teacher led – students passive
Postmodern
Controlled by communties
Diverse and customised
Flexible (distance learning)
Lifelong learning
Active learners, learning
through experience

8. Reject Bowles and Gintis idea that
inequality is fundamental to society and
that education reproduces inequality.
The correspondence principle no longer
operates.

9. • Exaggeration of the extent of diversity
• National curriculum is still one size fits all.
• Ignores the continuing importance of
inequality in education.