Beyond the Classroom Walls

Bertram C. Bruce is currently a Professor Emeritus in Information Sciences at the University of Illinois. His work contributes to a tradition of democratic education, asking “How can we guide the educational enterprise by an ethical vision, not simply a technocratic one of transmitting isolated facts and skills?” His career combines a philosophical perspective with passionate work directly with communities in the US and many other countries throughout the world.

• DedicationForeword, Andy KaplanPrefaceAcknowledgementsBibliographic NoteIntroductionPart I. Communication and EducationChapter 1. Models of CommunicationChapter 2. Schooling and SocietyProfile: Claudia ?erbanu?aChapter 3: Beyond the Walls of Formal EducationPart II. Education in CrisisChapter 4. Crises in EducationChapter 5. A Dreadful CrisisPart III. Learning in the WildProfile: Caroline HaythornthwaiteChapter 6. Learning OnlineProfile: Ching-Chiu LinChapter 7. Community Engagement Through WorkPart IV. The Third MissionProfile: Ebru AktanChapter 8. Community SchoolsProfile: Dave LeakeChapter 9. Precursors of the CommuniversityPart V. CommuniversityProfile: Udgum KhadkaChapter10. Ruptures of Community EngagementProfile: Ann Peterson-KempChapter 11. Community as CurriculumConclusion: “Walk Beside” Versus “Talk To”GlossaryAbout the AuthorIndex

Bruce effectively and conclusively challenges anyone interested in the future of public education to imagine education existing both within the walls of a classroom and beyond, extending even to communities and workplaces. Arguing that connecting classroom learning to daily life is imperative, Bruce notes that this practice predates modern educational systems. To achieve fully wholistic education today, educational systems must work to expand the boundaries of learning. Engaging with a community and its resources, for instance, can lead to richer educational experiences. The author profiles educators who have experience with alternative schooling and provides examples of how educational efforts can be carried out more humanely and responsibly to help change the current school system. Overall, Bruce clearly details how schooling can and should connect classroom learning and daily life, drawing on examples such as online learning, community schools, communiversities, and learning through work. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals.