Karl Marx’s thoughts on critical pedagogy, reproduction, and aesthetic literacy in STEAM education and praxis

Abstract

This article sheds new light on Karl Marx’s theoretical legacy to promote educational philosophy and theory in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Accordingly, this article selects Marxian thought as an exemplar case to elaborate critical pedagogy and aesthetics and culminate with an overview of the Marxian approach to the theoretical underpinnings of STEAM education. Hence, the article critically reviews Marx’s original works and earlier Marxian scholars’ contributions to extending critical pedagogy and its applications to the STEAM paradigm and informational and communication technology (ICT) development. This article critiques notable structural problems of STEAM education that produce power differentials such as educational gaps and digital divides in the current age of digital capitalism. Given the context, this article refines art and communication theories through the lens of his biography and writings. Additionally, this article incorporates the Marxian viewpoints about reproduction and aesthetic literacy into STEAM education. Overall, this article reviews the theoretical legacy of Marx and his essential critical and pedagogical theory, calling on scholars to pay close attention to re-orienting STEAM pedagogy as an emerging multidisciplinary field.

Keywords:

• Marxism
• critical pedagogy
• aesthetic literacy
• digital literacy
• digital capitalism
• artificial intelligence

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China. The project numbers are [19AA001] and [21ZD11].

Notes on contributors

Feng Gan

Feng Gan is a Ph.D. and Professor in the School of Art at Southeast University. His primary research area includes art theory, communication theory, and contemporary Western literary and art communication. Gan serves Southeast University as Dean of the Chinese Art Development Evaluation Institute and the National Think Tank for the Culture and Tourism Industry.

Qiong Bai

Qiong Bai is a Ph.D. and Associate Professor in the School of Media and Art at Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. Her primary research focus center on STEAM education, art and digital media communication, globalization of the art industry, museum studies, and professional development for artists, such as vocational education and training and career trajectories.