Vocational guidance in general and vocational education schools in Germany: The relevance of informed choice for successful vocational education and the legacy of Aloys Fischer

Abstract

This paper is part of a special issue focusing on key thinkers in the development of German vocational education in the early and mid-20th century. These are ideas that continue to be influential today. They provide an important philosophical and practical challenge to contemporary constructions of vocational education and training.

Methodological Aspects of Teaching Philosophy and Its Influence on the Formation of New Thinking

“…Einstein, N. Bohr, W. Heisenberg, E. Schrödinger and other revolutionaries of the 20th century did science. Their work arose from a deep reflection on the most basic issues of the environment -space, time, matter, and they saw that they were part of the broad philosophical tradition in which they were at home [6]. Turning doubt into the most important tool of cognition, acting as a cleansing mechanism in the face of delusions, philosophy considers the specifics of any issue in a generalized and integral context, which makes it possible to develop mechanisms for non-standard thinking, pluralistic and systematic tools in the study and solution of pressing scientific problems.…”

Analysing Dewey’s vocational aspects of education and Maslow’s theory of motivation in support of vocational education and training

“…As Young and Hordern [14], pointed out vocational education has endured low esteem and poor quality due to the influence of social class inequalities that stems from the cultural structures in our society. Gericke [29], also stated for example in Germany occupations are an indicator of social identity and that even if the nature of work matches the interest of young people, the decision to pursue an occupation with unfavourable affiliation will lead to social cost (lack of recognition) so much so that it strongly influences vocational decision-making. To buttress Gericke's point, vocational psychologist over the years have tried to substantiate the psychological impacts of social class on an individual's career decision-making processes and outcomes [30].…”