I think that the main goal of this course is to attain a substantial foundation of knowledge pert...

1. EDU 100: Contexts of Education Mind Map

2. The philosophy inventory assignment provided me with the opportunity to read up on, and articulate an (all be it crude) philosophy on education. The information presented in the readings provides a substantial amount of information.

2.1. The "Philosophy Chapter 2" reading provided a copious amount of information regarding some of the educational philosophies that exist. These included Perennialism, Essentialism, Progressivism, Existentialism, and Social reconstructivist theories. I found the summation of each of these schools of thought an invaluable resource.

3. In becoming an educator, it is important for one to be able to look at contemporary educational practices through a critical lens. In class, we watched a video narrated by Sir Ken Robinson. In the video, Robinson discussed "changing paradigms." He raises a great point in that the current educational practices tend to alienate a lot of students. The current educational system is based on an archaic model.

3.1. I think that an important idea that this course raised is the treatment of students in the class. In order to effectively provide an inclusive learning environment for students to flourish in.

4. The lectures in which we touched upon historical events such as eugenics and residential schools provided us with some important historical contexts. Eugenics in Canada, and especially Alberta, had a devastating effect on far too many individuals. As my great uncle and his wife were both adversely impacted by the movement, I related all too much to what we discussed.

4.1. Residential schools are the epitome of systematic subjugation and destruction of Aboriginals in Canada. These schools were a form of cultural genocide. Physical and psychological abuse were commonplace in these "schools."

5. Part of the foundation of knowledge this course is aimed to develop is in regards to Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples in Canada. Aboriginals face a great deal of racial prejudice in Canada, and as educators we have a duty to prevent students from harboring these destructive notions. The first step in doing so is removing these prejudices from ourselves. This requires us to look critically at our past and more importantly at our present.