Speculative Pedagogies: Designing Equitable Educational Futures

This book offers a pathway to a freer tomorrow by using speculative approaches to teacher education and student learning to design beyond traditional research and practitioner resources. It explores new forms of engagement for diverse learners in various learning contexts, such as problem-solving in complex video game settings and innovative world-building alongside young people. Readers are inspired to rethink what is possible in justice-oriented, culturally responsive education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

The authors of this volume present a compelling vision for a future of education that is free from the systemic inequalities that currently hinder student learning opportunities and teacher decision-making in most classrooms. They offer a series of playful, participatory, and historically informed steps that can lead us from the current U.S. educational landscape to a more liberated and promising tomorrow.

To achieve this, the authors employ speculative approaches to teacher education and student learning, purposefully designing beyond the boundaries of traditional research and practitioner resources that aim to address the current schooling conditions. They draw inspiration from visionary organizing and artistic traditions that have captured the popular imagination, proposing new forms of engagement for diverse learners.

The volume pragmatically explores how to work towards creating radical new spaces of possibility for learning and teaching. Chapters cover a diverse range of learning contexts, from problem-solving in complex video game settings to innovative world-building alongside young people in schools and communities. Readers will be inspired to reimagine the limits of what is possible in justice-oriented, culturally responsive education.

One of the key features of this volume is its diverse collection of over 40 contributors, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise to the field of speculative education. Examples of digital learning, including videogames and online collaboration, are included to showcase the potential of technology in enhancing learning experiences. Multiple chapters feature co-authored research and innovation with students and teachers, highlighting the importance of collaborative and inclusive practices in education.

In addition, the volume employs innovative design and pedagogical strategies, such as a chapter that re-writes policy documents based on speculative imagination. This approach encourages readers to think beyond the confines of traditional thinking and explore new possibilities for education reform.

Overall, this volume offers a thought-provoking and inspiring exploration of the future of education. It provides a roadmap for educators and policymakers to work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive learning environment that fosters the growth and development of all students. By embracing speculative approaches and embracing the power of imagination, we can build a brighter and more promising future for education.

Dimension: 229 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807768860