Catching the Knowledge Wave? The Knowledge Society and the Future of Education

Catching the Knowledge Wave? The Knowledge Society and the Future of Education

Authors
Publication year
2005
ISBN
1877398047
NZ$39.95

ISBN 978-1-877398-04-9

If this book were a film, it would be rated M—with a caution that "some viewers may be disturbed by some scenes." In Catching the Knowledge Wave? Jane Gilbert takes apart many long-held ideas about knowledge and education. She says that knowledge is now a verb, not a noun—something we do rather than something we have—and explores the ways our schools need to change to prepare people to participate in the knowledge-based societies of the future.

The knowledge society is an idea that is widely discussed, but not well understood.  Knowledge is developing a new meaning, one that is quite different to the one our schools were built on. Because of this, knowledge society developments are a major challenge for our schools. We cannot address this challenge by adding more ideas to our existing structures. We need a completely new framework—one that takes account of knowledge's new meaning, but also gives everyone an equal opportunity to succeed. If this seems like a tall order, it probably is—however this book attempts to map out such a framework. 

This is a book to argue with, to agree or disagree with, but above all to read—the future of our public education system is at stake.

Book reviews

Review of: Gilbert, J. (2005) Catching the Knowledge Wave: the Knowledge Society and the Future of Education
e-Learning & Distance Education Resources, Tony Bates Associates Ltd.
22 February 2009.