Speaking of Teaching

Lessons from History

By (author) Gabriel Moran

Publication date:

18 September 2008

Length of book:

214 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

Dimensions:

242x161mm
6x10"

ISBN-13: 9780739128398

Speaking of Teaching: Lessons from History focuses on teaching as a fundamental act of all human beings, viewing the question of teaching through the lens of five famous thinkers and two contemporary problems. Moran argues that teaching is not given the attention that it deserves and proposes to situate school teaching in the context of many forms of teaching. Tracing the history of the idea of teaching from Socrates to Wittgenstein in the first several chapters, this book also examines the intricacies of teaching morality and religion, showcasing society's ambivalence about teaching.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Plato and His Students
Chapter 3 Augustine despite Aquinas
Chapter 4 Rousseau: Teaching Emile and Sophie
Chapter 5 Dewey: Why So Misunderstood?
Chapter 6 Can Morality Be Taught?
Chapter 7 Can Religion Be Taught?
Chapter 8 Wittgenstein: I'll Teach You Differences
Chapter 9 Conclusion

As usual, Gabriel Moran has brought an extraordinary panoramic perspective to bear on the study of teaching. Since the words 'learning' and 'learner' have become almost idolized in educational discourse, it is more than timely for a thoughtful treatise exploring what it means to teach in the light of great historical writings related to the topic. An excellent follow-up to Showing How: The Act of Teaching (1997), it not only clarifies the notion of teaching, it sows the seeds for many important practical implications for teaching in various contexts.