The Importance of Argument in Education

Although there has been progress on developing argument in education over the last 10 or 15 years, there is more progress that could be made. After exploring definitions of argument, Richard Andrews looks first at the importance of argument in society and politics. He then explores the theoretical background to argument before looking at examples of the teaching and learning of argument in education.Professor Andrews examines argument, and the process of argumentation, in relation to primary, secondary and tertiary education. He also considers the importance of argument in research and research training. Finally, he links argument in society with argument in education, proposing that the two are brought into a closer relationship in order to make learning more engaging: to help students play a fuller part in democratic societies; or to challenge societies that are less than democratic.