I enjoyed reading about the
different theories and determining if I agree with them or not. One of the most
interesting theories to be was the theory of credentialism. I absolutely agree
with the fact that almost all individuals require some sort of post-secondary
education or certification to obtain a job in this day in age. In some cases
the qualifications that are required for a job have little to do with the
profession. Furthermore, I agree with idea of credential inflation that a
bachelor’s degree in present time is equivalent to what a high school diploma
was thirty years ago.
One of the most intriguing was
under the argument of Weberian Approaches to the Study of the Sociology of
Education. The study talked about the stereotyping of vocational or trade
schools vs. academic post-secondary institutions. I found it extremely
important that there is now an emphasis on vocational skills in academia,
especially high school. High school students have the opportunities to
participate in shop class and get the chance to learn how to change the oil in
a car and appreciate vocational education. However, the article goes onto the
mention that students did not recognize the importance of their vocational education,
but rather took a trade course to stand out or diversify themselves
academically. To me this is a really sad concept. Some of the smartest people I
know are individuals who work in trades. Mathematics, physics, and chemistry
are all requirements for vocational education, which are some of the toughest
subjects offered in high school. I find the stereotype of vocational education
to be appalling. How many people can properly build a home, fix a water pipe
leak, or install a light fixture? I know I cannot and I respect those
individuals who not only have a large amount of knowledge but also work
ethic. Furthermore, society
depends on the work of carpenters, plumbers, and electricians’ everyday,
without gratitude for the skill and work that goes into those professions. Trades
are often high paying professions, not to mention useful in every-day life. One
of my best friends in high school went on to be an electrician. In comparison
to me, she will make more money, required harder (at least I think so)
pre-requisites to enter her program, and has spent the same amount of time in
education for her program. Yet, our community put more emphasis on my education
and career aspects because it was in academics. Her schooling deserved just as
much recognition but did not receive it because of the stereotypes of trades
and of girls in trades.
So I challenge individuals to
take a step back and evaluate those stereotypes because people who work in
trades could make more money than you, work longer hours than you, have more
knowledge about every-day life than you, so how can you judge yourself better
than them? Furthermore, I think it is important as educators to promote
vocational training and education, as well as post-secondary academic
education. Having specific examples of how pre-calc is useful in trades or that
electricians need to use physics, will influence students to think more
positively and be appreciative of those professions. Providing examples of how
vocational professions match up against those professions, which require a
bachelor’s or master’s degree is also extremely important for teachers of all
age groups. Specifically in early years education, teachers can read books and
set up play stations that promote trade professions, along with academic professions
like doctors and teachers.
I really liked the brief
introduction about the ecological systems theory and hope we will be learning
more about that. I appreciated how it combined multiple phenomena into one
theory and looked at micro and macro responses versus only one or two phenomena
at one or two levels.
Discussion question: What are some ways that your schools (either
the ones you have attended or the ones you are at for practicum) have
integrated vocational and academic education?
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