Professor Gert Biesta from the Maynooth University, Ireland addressed the topic “world-centred education” in his speech.
According to Biesta, the term “world-centred education” provides different responses to some of the big questions of our time, than traditional views of education as curriculum-centred or child-centred.
The following panel discussion featured contributions from some of OsloMet’s international partners in India and Ghana, former students, leaders from OsloMet’s department of early childhood education, as well as Professor Biesta himself.
Pedagogical practices from around the world
The participants shared insights from pedagogical practices in kindergartens from around the world.
– I found it particularly interesting to meet the colleagues from India and Africa – that gave the event a real special quality, comments Biesta.
Photo: Benjamin A. Ward / OsloMet
The former students spoke about the value of study and practice placement in India and Sweden. Here, they learned about different ways of approaching and viewing children during their playing and learning activities.
– The visit helped me understand how effectively the student teachers can contribute through active, hands- on participation and experiential learning opportunities, says Nirmal Singh, academic coordinator and teacher, Heritage school, Kolkata, India.
The world is where our existence takes place
Both Michael Subbey, Head of the Department of Early childhood Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana and Sanjana Vakharia, Principle at Mongrace Montessori in Kolkata, India appreciated the diversity of perspectives at the event.
– It was a well composed panel, with different backgrounds and varied experiences, comments Subbey.
– The panel discussion was a great initiative, promoting cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, says Vakharia.
The panel was moderated by Bushra Fatima Syed, Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education, OsloMet.
– I was very humbled to lead the panel. It was an enriching experience, and participants were eager to share their reflections with the Norwegian audience, says Syed.
– I also think Biesta framed it well during his presentation when he spoke critically about that education should be world-centred rather that child-centred or curriculum-centred, because the world is the place where our existence as human beings takes place.
Contributors
Here is the full list of contributors to the panel discussion:
- Sanjana Vakharia, principle at Mongrace Montessori in Kolkata, India
- Nirmal Singh, academic coordinator and teacher, Heritage school, Kolkata, India
- Michael Subbey, Head of the Department of Early childhood Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
- Marte Bergvik Eriksen, patient porter and environmental therapist, former student of early childhood education, OsloMet
- Mats Tidemann, early childhood teacher and former student of early childhood education, OsloMet
- Cathrine Harms Døscher, Head of Studies at the Department of Early Childhood Education, OsloMet
- Kristin Danielsen Wolf, Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education, OsloMet
- Gert Biesta, Professor in Educational Theory and Pedagogy, Maynooth University Ireland
- Bushra Fatima Syed, Assistant Professor at the Department of Early Childhood Education, OsloMet (moderator)
You can see a recording of the event below. The segment starts at approximately 93:47.
