The Pedagogic Device: The relevance of Bernstein's Analysis for VET
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Author(s)
Wheelahan, Leesa
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2005
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This paper explores the relevance for VET of Basil Bernstein's analysis of the structuring of knowledge and the framing of pedagogic practice. Bernstein argued that education was not a passive relay for external power relations. Pedagogic practice is an important structuring mechanism for power relations in the way in which knowledge is classified and framed. Towards the end of his life, Bernstein argued that the 'official' recontextualising principle in education was derived from 'genericism', itself based on new concepts of work and life. He says this is a socially empty concept, and results in identities constructed as ...
View more >This paper explores the relevance for VET of Basil Bernstein's analysis of the structuring of knowledge and the framing of pedagogic practice. Bernstein argued that education was not a passive relay for external power relations. Pedagogic practice is an important structuring mechanism for power relations in the way in which knowledge is classified and framed. Towards the end of his life, Bernstein argued that the 'official' recontextualising principle in education was derived from 'genericism', itself based on new concepts of work and life. He says this is a socially empty concept, and results in identities constructed as market identities in which actors recognise themselves and others in the materialities of consumption. I apply Bernstein's analysis to VET policy in Australia.
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View more >This paper explores the relevance for VET of Basil Bernstein's analysis of the structuring of knowledge and the framing of pedagogic practice. Bernstein argued that education was not a passive relay for external power relations. Pedagogic practice is an important structuring mechanism for power relations in the way in which knowledge is classified and framed. Towards the end of his life, Bernstein argued that the 'official' recontextualising principle in education was derived from 'genericism', itself based on new concepts of work and life. He says this is a socially empty concept, and results in identities constructed as market identities in which actors recognise themselves and others in the materialities of consumption. I apply Bernstein's analysis to VET policy in Australia.
View less >
Conference Title
Vocational Learning : Transitions, Interrelationships, Partnerships and Sustainable Futures
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© 2005 Australian Academic Press. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Use hypertext link for access to the publishers website.