By Allan Alach
I welcome suggested articles, so if you come
across a gem, email it to me at allan.alach@ihug.co.nz.
This week’s homework!
The Downside of "Grit"
What Really Happens When Kids Are Pushed to Be More Persistent?
One of the latest GERM bandwagon is the notion
of ‘grit.’ In other words,
children with ‘grit’ will achieve and from
there it follows that driving children is the key to success, or the inverse,
that children who
are not achieving lack ‘grit’ (i.e. are lazy). Alfie Kohn, typically, deconstructs ‘grit’ in this article.
Purpose more imp than 'grit' |
‘Grit
is usually justified as a way to boost academic achievement, which sounds
commendable.
But take a moment to reflect on other possible goals one
might have for children -- for example, to lead a life that’s happy and fulfilling, morally admirable, creative, or
characterized by psychological health. Any of
those objectives would almost certainly lead to prescriptions quite different
from “Do one thing and never give up.”’
Whole Brain Teaching…?
Whole brain teaching???? |
“I’m not saying Whole Brain Teaching is useless, I’m not saying anything about the method itself, but the “brain” claims are
misleading. Many of the things they recommend are teaching aids and classroom
exercises, and no doubt those are helpful.”
Is ‘filling the pail’ any way to train
teachers?
Sticking with the drill and kill theme, here’s an article from 2012 about a similar
methodology for ‘training’ teachers.
“I
do not fault the teacher in the video for her style. She is performing as
taught by a system that, in my opinion, better prepares students for the
dutiful obedience of the military than for the intellectual challenges they
will encounter in college.”
The Classroom of the Future: Student Centered or Device Centered?
Anthony Cody looking at claims for device
centred education. His conclusion is not good for Gates, Murdoch et al.
“And
I think these devices will fail ultimately fail to deliver. Here is why.
Do boys dislike school? Or just what they’re learning?
“By
not exploring where boys achieve and what this achievement means to them, we
know little about how to reengage disenfranchised boys, especially those in the
“at-risk” categories,
with formal schooling. Learning why they disengaged to begin with, and how to
re-engage them, is essential to improving the outcomes for boys in schools.”
Risky Play: Why Children Love It and Need It
“An
ironic fact is that children are far more likely to injure themselves in
adult-directed sports
than in their own freely chosen, self-directed play. That’s because the adult encouragement and competitive nature of the sports lead children to take risks--both of hurting themselves and of hurting others—that they would not choose to take in free play. “
than in their own freely chosen, self-directed play. That’s because the adult encouragement and competitive nature of the sports lead children to take risks--both of hurting themselves and of hurting others—that they would not choose to take in free play. “
Scientists’ depressing new
discovery about the brain
This one’s not directly educational but I’m sure you will see the relevance …
“Science
Confirms: Politics Wrecks Your Ability to Do Math.”
Reading Comprehension: Paper or Screen?
A long and somewhat technical article, but don’t let that put you off.
“This
suggests that it will not be long before electronic reading might be a better
choice than paper reading for reading for comprehension. Such a claim, of
course, depends on the familiarity of readers with the interface of that
reading technology and its ability to allow for the reading features listed
here.”
This week’s contributions from Bruce Hammonds:
Love Robert Fried |
Here’s Bruce’s
own pick of ‘must read’
educational books. Which list do you prefer? What would
be in your essential book list?
“I have searched through my postings for some of the best books that
provide courage for teachers to make stand against the current anti educational
approaches of a market forces competitive ideology.”
50 Ted Talks Every Educator Should Check
Out (2014 Edition)
“Using TED Talks to convey an important message or spark creativity
might be more effective in teaching students than an individual agenda or
preconceived notion of what should be said.”
Is boredom the real epidemic in our
schools?
“It is time we rethink the environments in which we are raising our
children and what our priorities are. Are our schools places that provide an
environment where childhood can be a happy time full of wonder and exploration?
What does that look like and what would it take to make that a reality for
children?”
We have lost so much over the past 50
years. We need to return leadership back to creative teachers.
From Bruce’s oldies but
goodies file:
The principal myth |
http://bit.ly/14oaM8E
NZ teachers 'Like lambs to be slaughtered ( National's Educational
handout)
A must read blog for kiwi teachers!!
NZ teachers 'Like lambs to be slaughtered ( National's Educational
handout)
A must read blog for kiwi teachers!!
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