October 28, 2010
Audrey Osler of University of Leeds to speak on ‘Students’ Perspective on Schooling’ Oct. 29
Audrey Osler, professor of education at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, will speak on Students’ Perspectives on Schooling from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in the Petersen Room of Suzzallo Library. The talk is the 14th in the Book Talk Series, presented by the UW Center for Multicultural Education. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Osler will describe how schools might be transformed for the better by giving greater weight to the views of students. She explores various arguments for involving learners in decision-making processes, including: the potential benefits to schools and the wider community; moral and legal reasons based on human rights principles; and gaining fresh insights into the processes of teaching and learning.
Firmly grounded in research, the book analyzes data collected from young people living in both the UK and the United Stated. Almost 2,000 students reported on their current education situation and the degree to which they felt it met their needs.
Students’ Perspectives on Schooling engages with the voices of young people to consider how they might inform educational policy making. Osler argues that consulting young people is beneficial to the everyday life of schools and that the future health of democratic societies demands that we re-think relationships between adults and young people.
