1.4 "Is it just that our 'commons' keeps getting smaller?" with Dr. Joel Westheimer

In our fourth episode of Public Good, Shannon and Stephen are joined by Dr. Joel Westheimer. Dr. Joel Westheimer is University Research Chair in Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa. He publishes widely in newspapers, magazines and scholarly journals, and is the co-author of the widely read book, What Kind of Citizen: Educating Our Children for the Common Good. Dr. Westheimer’s voice may sound familiar, as he is the education columnist for CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning. In this episode, we consider the role of belief in the current context, particularly how it has impacted understanding of the “common good”. We also ask Dr. Westheimer how his views on citizenship have changed since writing What Kind of Citizen. In addition, we look at how the standards and accountability movement impacts students, teachers, learning, and the broader purpose of education.