Educative or Miseducative Work: A Critique of the Current Debate on Work and Education

Authors

  • Mechthild Hart DePaul University

Abstract

The current debate on work and workplace education is characterized by two distinct but related approaches. The first emphasizes the training of skills for present and future job requirements, and is oriented towards maintaining or restoring the economic status quo. The second approach looks at the workplace itself as a learning environment where personal and job-related developments are integrated. It raises critical questions about what kind of work environments can be considered conducive to these developments and can therefore be called "educative" as well. In this article the argument is made that both approaches share the same overall framework of assumptions about work, the economy, progress and development. These assumptions directly undermine the critical intent of the second approach by blocking the view towards a fuller understanding of the cultural dynamics behind destructive and divisive economic and social arrangements. While the emphasis is on a critique of the shortcomings of these approaches, the beginnings of an alternative framework are suggested. Such a framework leads to different conceptions of work and progress, and opens the view towards equally different educational responses and programs.

Résumé

Le débat en cours sur l'éducation du travail et le lieu de travail est caractérisé par deux approches distinctes mais relatifs. Le premier accentue la formation des habiletés aux exigences de l'emploi present et futur, et est orienté vers le statu quo de la conservation ou la restoration économique. La seconde approche examine le lien de travail liu-même comme un environnement d'apprentissage où des développements personnels et relatifs à l'emploi sont intégrés. Il soulève des questions critiques au sujet de quel type d'environnements de travail pent être appelé "éducatif" aussi. Dans cet essai l'auteur soutient que les deux approches partagent le cadre total des présomptions au sujet du travail, de l'economie, du progrès et du développement. Ces présomptions attaquent directement l'intention critique de la deuxième approche en bloquant la vue vers une pleine compréhension des dynamiques culturelles derrière l'économie distinctive et divisive et les aménagements sociaux. Tandis que l'insistance est sur la critique des points foibles des ces approches, on suggère le commencement d'un cadre alternatif. Un tel cadre mène aux différentes conceptions de travail et de progrès, et ouvre la perspective vers des réponses et programmes tout aussi différents.

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Published

1993-05-01

How to Cite

Hart, M. (1993). Educative or Miseducative Work: A Critique of the Current Debate on Work and Education. Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 7(1), 19–36. Retrieved from https://cjsae.library.dal.ca/cjsae/article/view/2237

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (1993)

Section

Articles

License

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