Description

Social reconstructionism is an education philosophy that emphasizes the educational institution as an environment for implementing social change and challenging social inequalities. The curriculum focuses on student experience and taking social action on real problems, such as violence, hunger, international terrorism, inflation, and inequality. Central to this philosophy is the concept of praxis, the idea that actions based on sound theory and values can make a real difference in the world. Strategies for dealing with controversial issues (particularly in social sciences and literature), inquiry, dialogue, and multiple perspectives are the focus. Community-based learning and bringing the world into the classroom are also common strategies. Social Reconstructionism is a student-cented philosophy.

Major Players

Paulo Friere

George Counts

Roll over the image to read about an example of social reconstructionism.