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How the World Learns: Comparative Educational Systems
12 hours and 26 minutes listening time
America's blueprint for mass education has been followed across the globe - yet international student assessments show that achievement varies sharply, with the US and much of Europe typically scoring average at best. Not surprisingly, this state of affairs has sparked anxieties about an educational crisis. Adding even more fuel to the fire: many cite a growing disconnect between what schools teach and the needs of a rapidly changing market.
The problem, if there is one, is highly complex, and in these 24 thought-provoking lectures led by an associate professor of comparative and international education, you'll take a meaningful look at education around the world to understand why.
You'll go beyond prescriptions for quick fixes to engage in a detailed comparison of teaching methods and student achievement, from the focus on STEM instruction and the intent of morals education to the role of preschool and the importance of creativity. You'll discover why Finland and South Korea rank as the two best educational systems despite having diametrically opposed approaches and consider the unique challenges facing schools from America to South Africa.
You'll use internationally comparative data to identify strengths and weaknesses and to see how this information is used - and sometimes misused - to enact policies. The data and systems are not studied in a vacuum, however. Instead you'll explore how cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and historical contexts may influence these methods and whether one nation's best practice could backfire in another.
Along the way you'll contemplate questions about the goals of education and the ways teachers may help students reach them, from whether standardized testing is the best way to measure what a person is capable of to whether teachers should have a role beyond presenting academic content.
America's blueprint for mass education has been followed across the globe - yet international student assessments show that achievement varies sharply, with the US and much of Europe typically scoring average at best. Not surprisingly, this state of affairs has sparked anxieties about an educational crisis. Adding even more fuel to the fire: many cite a growing disconnect between what schools teach and the needs of a rapidly changing market.
The problem, if there is one, is highly complex, and in these 24 thought-provoking lectures led by an associate professor of comparative and international education, you'll take a meaningful look at education around the world to understand why.
You'll go beyond prescriptions for quick fixes to engage in a detailed comparison of teaching methods and student achievement, from the focus on STEM instruction and the intent of morals education to the role of preschool and the importance of creativity. You'll discover why Finland and South Korea rank as the two best educational systems despite having diametrically opposed approaches and consider the unique challenges facing schools from America to South Africa.
You'll use internationally comparative data to identify strengths and weaknesses and to see how this information is used - and sometimes misused - to enact policies. The data and systems are not studied in a vacuum, however. Instead you'll explore how cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and historical contexts may influence these methods and whether one nation's best practice could backfire in another.
Along the way you'll contemplate questions about the goals of education and the ways teachers may help students reach them, from whether standardized testing is the best way to measure what a person is capable of to whether teachers should have a role beyond presenting academic content.
Audible Audio
Published July 24, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 12, 2023
A very interesting overview of many systems from many angles. How they are measured, what the significant differences are in context and why they may or may not be effective in different settings.
May 31, 2017
I think most of us remember that great teacher who changed our lives, because it made us like a certain subject, motivated us to study something, etc. I think the student-teacher relationship is the most important in education.
In my case I thank Antonio Mézquita who made me like math from high school.
But, speaking of education and for all my friends teachers and teachers, I recommend the course "How the World Learns: Comparative Educational Systems" produced by The Great Courses by Professor Alexander W. Wiseman from which I draw several concussions.
First, the importance of the teacher.
Second, education systems are becoming more and more homogeneous in the world, in general the students see similar themes of similar ages and are increasingly compared with each other. Even countries as different as Finland, South Korea or Saudi Arabia.
Third: education has more and more to do global and create global citizens (accident expert like Trump).
Fourth: Education can still innovate a lot, surely future students will use electronics much more than direct learning as it is used today.
Fifth: The workforce of teachers is the most important in most countries of the world. You have to help him have the respect and income he deserves.
Sixth: things that are successful in one country will not necessarily succeed in another, sociocultural factors are very important.
Seventh: As important are the factors within the classroom as aspects of the outside world.
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
In my case I thank Antonio Mézquita who made me like math from high school.
But, speaking of education and for all my friends teachers and teachers, I recommend the course "How the World Learns: Comparative Educational Systems" produced by The Great Courses by Professor Alexander W. Wiseman from which I draw several concussions.
First, the importance of the teacher.
Second, education systems are becoming more and more homogeneous in the world, in general the students see similar themes of similar ages and are increasingly compared with each other. Even countries as different as Finland, South Korea or Saudi Arabia.
Third: education has more and more to do global and create global citizens (accident expert like Trump).
Fourth: Education can still innovate a lot, surely future students will use electronics much more than direct learning as it is used today.
Fifth: The workforce of teachers is the most important in most countries of the world. You have to help him have the respect and income he deserves.
Sixth: things that are successful in one country will not necessarily succeed in another, sociocultural factors are very important.
Seventh: As important are the factors within the classroom as aspects of the outside world.
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
December 29, 2020
A series of lectures about ways that education functions in different parts of the world.
Pluses:
Really interesting to learn about particular countries and their challenges inside and outside the classroom and the ways that education function in those countries. I wish there was more of this, as often it felt a bit generalized.
Weaknesses: I often felt like Wiseman was repeating himself a lot and that I could have gotten basically the entirety of the lectures, content wise, in half or even a third of the time if he had been more concise.
Feels really outdated after Covid, too, and the widespread use of Zoom and online teaching that came as a result.
Still, interesting, and Wiseman is a gentle speaker who seems passionate about his subject.
Pluses:
Really interesting to learn about particular countries and their challenges inside and outside the classroom and the ways that education function in those countries. I wish there was more of this, as often it felt a bit generalized.
Weaknesses: I often felt like Wiseman was repeating himself a lot and that I could have gotten basically the entirety of the lectures, content wise, in half or even a third of the time if he had been more concise.
Feels really outdated after Covid, too, and the widespread use of Zoom and online teaching that came as a result.
Still, interesting, and Wiseman is a gentle speaker who seems passionate about his subject.
May 3, 2021
This is relevant to anyone involved in education, from policy making to the individual level; teaching practices, administration, and cultural effects on the classroom are covered. Some broadly successful practices are discussed, but the focus is on accounting for the many different factors that go into your environment's unique equation for successful education.
The main ideas this course emphasizes when considering how to implement a fix for your system:
- Account for school and non-school factors.
- Look at the numbers: existing infrastructure, capacity, resources needed, and how the fix will be sustainable.
- Make sure the fix involves the heart, head, and hands in a meaningful way.
Many countries are discussed, with the U.S. education system often referred back to for comparison. Finland gets the second-most attention due to their top ranking international standards and unique administrative and schooling methods. Singapore and Japan probably tie for third; Singapore for their international performance, and Japan more often to demonstrate context among school and non-school factors. The professor has taught in Japan (among many other positions), and provides insight into their non-school factors and how they influence the classroom.
The course is wide-ranging and sometimes feels unorganized, but considering the broad topic I thought the professor did an excellent job. Borrowing from other systems, effective testing, what makes a good teacher, evidence-based schooling, internal comparisons, and international assessments are some other topics covered.
The main ideas this course emphasizes when considering how to implement a fix for your system:
- Account for school and non-school factors.
- Look at the numbers: existing infrastructure, capacity, resources needed, and how the fix will be sustainable.
- Make sure the fix involves the heart, head, and hands in a meaningful way.
Many countries are discussed, with the U.S. education system often referred back to for comparison. Finland gets the second-most attention due to their top ranking international standards and unique administrative and schooling methods. Singapore and Japan probably tie for third; Singapore for their international performance, and Japan more often to demonstrate context among school and non-school factors. The professor has taught in Japan (among many other positions), and provides insight into their non-school factors and how they influence the classroom.
The course is wide-ranging and sometimes feels unorganized, but considering the broad topic I thought the professor did an excellent job. Borrowing from other systems, effective testing, what makes a good teacher, evidence-based schooling, internal comparisons, and international assessments are some other topics covered.
July 3, 2020
I found this book fascinating as a teacher. I don't think I would have found it nearly as interesting before I went into the field. I thought this discussion of school factors vs. non-school factors and what actually affect student outcomes were interesting. As a teacher, it is easy to become overwhelmed at when students come to you so academically behind but I feel reading this book helps take away some of those excuses.
November 27, 2020
This course is very strong. It does not hang together perfectly, and it doesn't point to evidence as much as I would like, but it is invaluable for somebody new to the discussion of education policy, and most of it is of value to everybody. Mr. Wiseman does a brilliant job of connecting the large scale of policy to the small scale of individual students. If you're willing to skip a few lectures, this course is good for anyone.
October 21, 2020
Wiseman did an excellent job explaining the core concepts behind most public education systems and when and when they cannot be compared. I thought his concept that change comes in one of three ways to schools: imposition (rules and regs), imitation (copying other systems), or innovation (truly new and unique, which is also the riskiest option).
February 3, 2023
A good balance/perspective and does a good job of highlighting what works where and why (culturally). Especially as many/most others seem to be more doom/gloom or overly critical of existing education systems in the US.
May 21, 2024
Was interesting to learn more details about various county's approaches and styles and all the nuances of external school factors that impact education. Overall this course was interesting but was nothing earth shattering.
June 13, 2021
3.5 stars. A bit repetitive in the end.
April 9, 2023
It was not what I thought it was going to be but it was interesting
April 30, 2023
Great Course about the Educational Systems works.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews