Published in September 2008, Kieran Egan’s latest book—The Future of Education: Reimagining the school from the ground up—is an attempt to show how both traditionalist and progressivist forms of education have let us down. The second half of the book is a “history” of education from 2010 to 2060, showing how we might realistically, practical step by practical step, remake the schools to better reflect the ideals of Imaginative Education.

Publisher's Description

This engaging book presents a frontal attack on current forms of schooling and a radical rethinking of the whole education process. Kieran Egan, a prize-winning scholar and innovative thinker, does not rail against teachers, administrators, or politicians for the failures of the school. Instead he argues that education today is built on a set of mutually exclusive goals that are destined to defeat our best efforts.

Egan explores the three big ideas and aims of education—academic, social, and developmental growth—and exposes their flaws and fundamental incompatibility. He then proposes and describes a process called Imaginative Education that would dramatically change teaching and curriculum while delivering the skills and understanding that we all want our children to acquire. His speculative narrative of education from 2010 to 2060—executed with wit and verve—shows how we might very well get there from here. Unlike most books dealing with fundamental educational ideas, this one also details how its new proposal can be implemented in everyday classrooms.

Review

"Kieran Egan is one of the most original ''big picture'' thinkers in education. I always read what he writes. In his latest book, Egan critiques both traditional and progressive education and puts forth his own provocative ideas on how change might be implemented."-Howard Gardner, author of Five Minds for the Future and Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner )

"Egan''s compelling and original approach to much-needed education reform is delivered through a very imaginative and engaging narrative."-John Willinsky, Stanford University (John Willinsky )