The Robot Factory: Pseudoscience in Education and Its Threat to American Democracy - Softcover

Ganem, Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3319778595 ISBN 13: 9783319778594

Publisher: Springer, 2018

Synopsis

This book exposes a disturbing misuse of the scientific method to advance policies and agendas that are in fact detrimental to both science and education. The author, a physics professor, examines two related trends in education – the practice of “data-driven” reform and the disparaging of the traditional liberal arts in favor of programs with a heavy emphasis on science and technology. Many of the reforms being foisted on educators have more in common with pseudo-science than real science. The reduction of education to a commodity, and the shilling of science as a means to enhance corporate profits, lead to an impoverished and stunted understanding of science in particular, and of education in general.

How is it possible for: · schools with all students learning at grade-level to be rated as failing?· teachers to be rated as ineffective after all their students meet their learning outcomes?· rising grade-school math standards to result in more college students needing remedial math?· politicians to disparage scientists and their results but argue that more students should study science?
These bizarre outcomes have happened and are the result of an education system that misuses and misrepresents math and science in the classroom and in crafting education policies. This book exposes the flawed and fallacious thinking that is damaging education at all levels throughout the United States, and makes a compelling case for rethinking the standardized, optimized, and quantified approaches in vogue in education today to accommodate the different needs of individual teachers and students.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Fake Science Is Killing Our Schools―and Our Republic

 

Science is both a method for understanding and a guide for decision-making. It can and should be the foundation for citizenship: logic, reasoning, challenging claims, making choices based on verifiable fact. Authentic science education is key to producing informed, engaged citizens. It can't be separated from the culture in which it operates. 

 

Instead, we're in the most vicious cycle imaginable for a democracy―but perfect for a corporatist kleptocracy. With agenda-driven leaders using pseudoscience to justify bad educational policy, education has become a dehumanizing tool for mass producing compliant workers who accept what they're told and do what they're asked.

 

Physicist and educator Dr. Joseph Ganem rips the lid off of this neatly-packaged scam. He exposes the dangers of pseudoscience in the hands of decision-makers, educators, and students. In nothing less than a compelling new vision for 21st century education, he calls us to reject pseudoscience in all forms, engage in a collective search for truth, and commit to an authentic education for every child.

 

“Dr. Ganem nails it! He brings a scientist’s eye and a crusader’s passion to explaining how “reformers” are killing an education system that once was―and still could be―the envy of the world.”

--John Owens, author, Confessions of a Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth from the Front Lines of American Public Education

“Empowering and enlightening. Sparks will fly when people read this book - so policymakers be forewarned (or better be ready)! There will be a revolution - a powerful call for change."

--CJ Westerberg, Founder & Editor, The Daily Riff: Be Smarter. About Education

About the Author

Joseph Ganem is a Professor and Chair of Physics, Loyola University Maryland.

He is an author of numerous scientific papers in the fields of laser development and magnetic resonance, and has received grants from Research Corporation, Petroleum Research Fund, and the National Science Foundation for his research on solid-state laser materials.

Prof. Ganem has served on the Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education. He speaks and writes frequently on consumer and education issues, and has had articles on these topics published in The Baltimore Sun newspaper and The Daily Riff (an online publication on education).

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 3319778595
• ISBN 13: 9783319778594
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 282