True Confessions

A NUMBER of themes dealing with social efficacy, popular culture, and the struggle in schools are addressed in the book. The book begins with a critical analysis of schooling and education suggesting that current practice is not only demeaning and disempowering, but that it does more harm than good. Subsequent chapters suggest that critical constructivism focusing on the themes of democratic education, social efficacy, and social justice would facilitate the transformation needed. Examples of powerful themes addressed include technology, censorship and controversy, music, movies, popular culture trends, global issues, and teacher education. The book focuses on ideas for integrating a social efficacy focus with popular culture as a vital component. Film, television, music and other popular trends offer a common language that can be very powerful tools for developing social efficacy and social education.