Educating for the Knowledge Economy?

Critical Perspectives

Michael Young editor John Lowe editor Hugh Lauder editor Harry Daniels editor Maria Balarin editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:6th Jan '12

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

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Educating for the Knowledge Economy? cover

The promise, embraced by governments around the world, is that the knowledge economy will provide knowledge workers with a degree of autonomy and permission to think which enables them to be creative and to attract high incomes. What credence should we give to this promise?

The current economic crisis is provoking a reappraisal of both economic and educational policy. Policy makers and educationists across the world see education as central to economic competitiveness. However, this book asks fundamental questions about the relationship between the economy and education since, in contrast to policy makers’ rhetoric, the relationship between the two sectors is not straightforward. An unorthodox account of the knowledge economy and economic globalisation suggests that autonomy in the workplace and permission to think will be only given to the elite. In this view many aspirant well-educated middle-class young workers are doomed to disappointment.

In this book, leading scholars from the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand discuss these issues and interrogate the assumptions and links between the different elements of education and how they might relate to the economy. Even if we assume that the official view of the knowledge economy is correct, are we educating young people to be autonomous, creative thinkers? Are current policies relating to knowledge, learning and assessment consistent with the kinds of workers and skills required for the knowledge economy?

Educating for the Knowledge Economy? will appeal to academics, policy makers, teachers and students interested in the central role of education in the knowledge economy.

"My final judgment? The book is well timed and a fascinating read that should appeal to those who have a penchant to read perspectives that challenge dominant views. It should be a useful source to policy makers seeking to embrace critical perspectives about issues that are often taken for granted."-Kenneth Dipholo, International Journal of Lifelong Education

ISBN: 9780415615075

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 416g

252 pages