HMEF 5033 COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

TOPIC 2

THE PURPOSE OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION PROF. DR. GURNAM KAUR SIDHU

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By

the end of this lecture you should be able to: Evaluate the purposes of engaging in comparative studies in education AND Examine the role of CE in planning, implementing improved and innovative strategies and international understanding

LECTURE OUTLINE
2.1. The Purpose of Comparative
Education 2.2. A Brief Review of Literature 2.3. Planning 2.4. Improvement and Innovation 2.5. International Understanding

2.1. The Purpose Of Comparative Education

To

determine the basic principles underlying different national systems of education

Explain

2.1. The Purpose Of Comparative Education

To

determine the basic principles underlying different national systems of education.

Explain to understand the different ways in which educational practice is realized Determine systematic and scientific purpose of schooling, tertiary education and the establishment of universities and study the ways a countrys citizens are affected by it

2.1. THE PURPOSE OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

The

Purpose of Education

What is the purpose of education in Malaysia?

2.1. THE PURPOSE OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

Malaysian NEP

Education in Malaysia is an on-going effort towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically Balanced and harmonious, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens Who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards, and who are responsible and capable of achieving a high level of personal well-being, as well as being able to contribute to the betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large.

2.1. THE PURPOSE OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

Compare

so that educational practice may be explained

Why compare? Compare not only for similarities and differences but to explain educational practice taking into consideration both internal and external factors governing educational system around countries.

2.1. The Purpose of Comparative Education

Many

internal and external factors that govern education systems across countries

What are the factors?

2.1. The Purpose of Comparative Education

External

Factors national educational policy, economics, history, social strata, demography Internal Factors : student & teacher enrolment, composition, teaching quality, structure of schools etc (WEI)

2.1. The Purpose of Comparative Education

The

Effects of Education Policy Purpose of CE examine how different groups of people are affected by education policies (e.g. the disadvantaged groups) What has the Malaysian government done to help the disadvantaged groups?

2.1. The Purpose of Comparative Education

Macro-level

impact

Understand the ways in which countries expand, upgrade and reform education Why is this knowledge important? To help policymakers and practitioners address issues & challenges and seek solutions associated with success and failure in schools all these provides a knowledge base for teacher education and training taking into account cultural, philosophical and economic factors governing education

2.1. The Purpose of Comparative Education

Influence

of culture

Education is based on culture

Explain.

the influence of culture and individual life experiences many enhance or impede the learning process (Bruner, 1996:ix)
Elaborate

with relevant examples

2.2. A Brief Review of Literature

The

objectives of comparative education

(a) understand our own (b) understand and affect (c) understand us and ours

2.2. A Brief Review of Literature (a) Understand our own

(i) gain a better understanding of our own systems (ii) satisfy intellectual and theoretical curiosity about other cultures (iii) better understand the relationship between education and society (iv) explain and analyze similarities and differences (v) understand problems in education (vi) contribute to improvement of educational policy and practice (vii) promote intellectual understanding and cooperation through improved sensitivity to differing world views and cultures (Crossley and Watson, 2003)

2.2. A Brief Review of Literature (b) Understand and affect

(i) Intellectual (ii) Planning (iii) Practicality (iv) Humanitarian (v) International (vi)Innovation (vii) Economics (viii) Education for international understanding Elaborate (page 26-27)

2.2. A Brief Review of Literature (c) Understand us and ours

(i) Become better informed about other countries (ii) Become better informed about other social functions (iii) Become better informed about historical roots (iv) Better understand the educational forms & systems (v) Satisfy interest in how human beings live and learn (vi) Better understand oneself (vii) Reveal own cultural biases and personal attributes that affect ones judgement about learning transactions Roby Kidd (1915-1982)

GOALS OF COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

Three

goals of comparative education

Planning Improvement and Innovation Education for International Understanding

2.3. Planning

Key Purpose of CE : Educational Planning

Educational Planning is the means by which a country formulates educational policies, determines objectives and identifies strategies that will help meet the human resource needs in a country. Explain

Is linked to economic development and social reform

To advance knowledge Provide an example Planning in multicultural / plural societies What educational strategies has Malaysia put in place to build a single united nation out of a plural society?

 Our

entire educational policy is dictated by the need to mould a single united nation out of a plural society. . . (Khir Johari in Bock, 1982:80)

How successful has Malaysia been?

2.4. Improvement and Innovation

Purpose

of Comparative Education improvement of the status of a people and the application of innovative and modern ideas in schools or through curricula. Helps to sustain improvement in the quality of student learning in a rapidly changing environment.

2.4. Improvement and Innovation

According to Freeman & Cooper (1999) innovation in education refers to the maintenance and improvement in the quality of student learning through the following 6 broad areas of innovation

Implement innovative ideas

Learning context The curriculum Learning activities Assessment Achievement Roles as teachers/expert content providers

Provide examples of innovative ideas implemented in Malaysia?

2.5. International understanding

Amicable

cross-border relations through exchange of ideas, information, points of view and knowledge among educationists from different countries. UNESCO Recommendations (p. 36)

Explain

Interdependence

between nations (p.37)

Explain : One Race The Human Race

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS

MAY

2006 Give a definition of comparative education. [3 Marks]

Describe

TWO (2) benefits of comparative education.[3marks]

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS MAY 2009

An

important aim of comparative education is international understanding, which refers to amicable relations among nations. Comment on this. (4 marks)

Past Year Question 2011

Question

1 According to Crossley & Watson (2003), one of the purposes of comparative education is to understand problems in education. Select ONE (1) country and discuss briefly TWO (2) educational problems it faces. [8 marks]

THANK YOU

For Your Kind Attention