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The Challenge to Care in Schools: An Alternative Approach to Education, Contemporary Educational Thought

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In this second edition of her educational text, Noddings suggests that if we make the responsiveness characteristic of caring more basic than accountability, we can accommodate both traditional and progressive preferences in one school system to the benefit of all... especially the children.

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

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About the author

Nel Noddings

49 books47 followers
Nel Noddings is an American feminist, educationalist, and philosopher best known for her work in philosophy of education, educational theory, and ethics of care.

Noddings received a bachelors degree in mathematics and physical science from Montclair State College in New Jersey, a masters degree in mathematics from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in education from the Stanford University School of Education.

Nel Noddings worked in many areas of the education system. She spent seventeen years as an elementary and high school mathematics teacher and school administrator, before earning her PhD and beginning work as an academic in the fields of philosophy of education, theory of education and ethics, specifically moral education and ethics of care. She became a member of the Stanford faculty in 1977, and was the Jacks Professor of Child Education from 1992 until 1998. While at Stanford University she received awards for teaching excellence in 1981, 1982 and 1997, and was the associate dean or acting dean of the School of Education for four years. After leaving Stanford University, she held positions at Columbia University and Colgate University. She is past president of the Philosophy of Education Society and the John Dewey Society. In 2002-2003 she held the John W. Porter Chair in Urban Education at Eastern Michigan University. She has been Lee L. Jacks Professor of Education, Emerita, at Stanford University since she retired in 1998.

Nel Noddings has 10 children and in 2009 had been married for 60 years. She has described her early educational experiences and her close relationships as key in her development of her philosophical position.

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
109 reviews3 followers
December 18, 2008
This book still blows my mind. Noddings presents a compelling case for the direction our educational system should go. If our schools could just take a fraction of what Noddings has to say here, the future of the next generations would be endlessly bright.
Profile Image for Eduardo.
150 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2019
I read this book as part of research for a graduate-level education course in adolescent development.

I found the initial chapters and the final chapters to be most engaging and meaningful while the I felt that the middle chapters were less focused. Though I feel that the almost-sidebar-ish nature of those middle chapters detracted somewhat from the overall book, I must allow for the role they play in explaining Noddings' philosophy regarding the centers of care that she believes should be taught.

For me the initial chapters lay the foundation for why our present education system is insufficient for truly serving the needs of the students in it. Noddings shows why the system as it currently exists sells students, teachers, and relationships well short of their true and necessary values. The closing chapters return to these initial arguments and add several important points. By the time I read the last page I was back to feeling as I did at the start, that caring for students is more important that caring for content or control.

It may not be possible to do justice to Noddings' vision without starting education anew, but I do feel that I can bring a modicum of care to the students in my classroom. I believe that developing that care every day can play a part in normalizing such behavior and moving the conversation, even slightly, towards Noddings' vision.
Profile Image for Erika.
164 reviews
October 19, 2021
Had to read this for a class but it was actually quite good. A bit slow at parts but had some really good and interesting ideas that I will definitely take with me into my teaching. Now to write a 1500 word paper about it.....
Profile Image for Kyrstin.
574 reviews
June 5, 2019
Must read for teachers and proponents of change in our educational system. Written in 2005, it is possibly even more relevant and applicable today than it was then.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,558 reviews95 followers
December 11, 2009
I appreciated Noddings's honesty about the importance of relationships in life, and especially in teaching. Her ideas for a radical new curriculum, focused on the 'ethics of caring' will have me reflecting for some time...much of it I had to read and think, "Yes, but..." because she's forgotten the horrible constraints under which public schools operate, but her message was passionate and heart-felt.

I especially liked her questions about a liberal education, and all those isolated 'facts' every educated person ought to know -- those facts that subject specialists complain that students don't know. She challenges us as teachers to be certain WE know those ever-so-important facts. Every teacher should know math and history and literary analysis IF every student should. I loved that idea.
Profile Image for Elke.
90 reviews
July 19, 2009
While reading this book, I kept on asking myself how my classroom would have been different if I was a teacher who placed care in the center of all the work I did with my students instead of a narrow definition of academic achievement. Noddings' ethic of care has had a profound impact on my thinking about my purposes and goals as an educator. She might get overly philosophical in some spots, but overall, I highly recommend this text to any educator who wonders how we build schools that are more attuned to helping kids grow into caring, whole people.
Profile Image for Jamie.
6 reviews
January 28, 2010
A re-envisionment of what schools' roles in society should be. Noddings's vision is somewhat idealistic, but her reasoning is grounded in research, experience, and logic. It's a powerful read if you connect with the problems she identifies and the solutions she proposes.
Profile Image for Kiersten.
140 reviews4 followers
November 20, 2013
I skimmed the last 50 pages, it didn't hold my attention that well. Still, Noddings has a lot of great ideas and it's obvious that she has the best interest of students in mind.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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