What to expect
A Seminar by Daniel Dennis
Sydney J. Harris, a twentieth century American journalist, once remarked that the entire purpose of education is to ‘turn mirrors into windows’ - equipping children and young people with the skills and attributes they need to look beyond themselves towards a bright, complex future. But who should decide what is taught in schools? What is the ultimate goal of education? What skills and attributes do we want to instil in children and young people?
In this seminar, we will explore some education philosophies that might help us answer these questions. We will meander through a brief history of schooling, meeting key figures along the way and considering how they might respond to new challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence. No preparatory reading is required, but come prepared with your thoughts, reflections and questions about the purposes of education as there will be opportunities to interact throughout the seminar.
About Daniel Dennis
Daniel is the Principal Lecturer in Education at the University of Cumbria, taking leadership responsibility for all Secondary PGCE programmes.
Beginning his career in education as a teacher of religion and philosophy, Daniel has a keen interest in dialogic approaches to teaching religious difference and complex philosophical concepts. This interest led him to teach undergraduate philosophy of education, as well as mentor trainee teachers of religious education, at the University of Cambridge.
Daniel has also been a researcher at Ofsted, working on government funded projects that include the implementation of equality legislation in schools with a faith foundation as well as studies into teacher well-being.
Most recently, Daniel was the Head of Teaching and Learning at a specialist land-based further education college in which the cows and sheep often outnumbered his students! He taught professionals in the land-based sector to become teachers, enabling them to help prepare young people to lead innovation in the UK agrifood sectors.
Daniel is always interested in opportunities to collaborate, and supervise research, in the fields of religious education, dialogic education and teacher education.
Event location:
University of Cumbria
58 East India Dock Road
London
E14 6JE
Closest stations:
Westferry (DLR) 4 minutes’ walk
Canary Wharf (Elizabeth Line) 15 minutes’ walk
Bus routes:
University of Cumbria London, served by routes 15, 115, D6
What is a seminar?
Seminars, held in person, are opportunities for attendees to engage with a leading expert in the field. These are interactive sessions with opportunities for discussion lasting for approximately two hours. Please note that there are no catering services on campus for the seminars and attendees are invited to bring their own provisions.