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How the World Learns: Comparative Educational Systems

Series: Great Courses
4.6
(15)
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Episodes
24
Rating
TVPG
Year
2015
Language
English
Publisher
The Great Courses

About

America's blueprint for mass education has been followed across the globe-yet international student assessments show achievement varies sharply, with the U.S. and much of Europe typically scoring average, at best. Not surprisingly, this state of affairs has sparked anxieties about an educational crisis. 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.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 24

1. The Global Challenge to Educate

30m

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Borrowing or benchmarking one national education system against another is not necessarily a remedy or the most useful analytical tool for educational reform, yet these are among the most common approaches. Begin to understand why this approach falls short as Professor Wiseman lays out his general thesis for the course.

2. Sputnik Launches the Science-Math Race

30m

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Dating back to Sputnik in the 1950s, education culture has been driven by anxiety. Learn about the history of crisis" in U.S. education before investigating how America's educational system compares with schools and students in other countries. Focus on TIMSS in particular, which tracks mathematics and science achievement in about 70 countries.

3. Education Is Life

30m

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Which is more important-gaining knowledge or new skills? Is standardized testing the best measure of what someone knows? What is the purpose of going to school-to prepare for college or a career? Address such questions as you probe Americans' views on education and how it can be improved using internationally comparable information.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish