By Allan Alach
I welcome suggested articles, so if you come
across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz
Does Algebra Get in the Way of Student Success?/ Down With Algebra
II!
Here are a couple of links that discuss Andrew
Hacker’s book ‘The Math Myth: And Other STEM Delusions.’
“Hacker’s central argument is that advanced mathematics requirements, like
algebra, trigonometry
He also maintains that there is no proof for a STEM shortage or a
skills gap; and that we should pursue “numeracy” in education
rather than mathematics knowledge.”
Teachers And Professional Collaboration: How Sweden Has Become The
ABBA Of Educational Change
 |
| Andy Hargreves |
Another Andy Hargreaves article:
:Competing reasons have been advanced for Sweden’s educational
decline – see here and here. Most have targeted the country’s for-profit free
schools and the promotion of divisive parental choice. Opponents blame poor
classroom management and failure to control students’ use of mobile phones. But
among the most worrying explanations have been those that refer to statistics
associated with poor teacher quality. But how do we interpret these data? “
It’s time to stop wasting money on interactive boards
I investigated these during a sabbatical some
years back and came to the same conclusion.
“Interactive screens, albeit whiteboards or touch-screen monitors
mounted to a wall, are a waste of time and money when you have mobile devices
in the classroom.”
Memory, tradition and myths
“The belief that having more information available to us atrophies
our brains and that technology is making us stupid is widespread. But is it
true?”
Cédric Villani on the 7 Ingredients of Creativity
“What does it take to come up with a new idea?
In this beautifully illustrated RSA Short, award-
Farming Children for Profit
A comment on the state on what passes for early childhood education in
New Zealand.
“We have increased the numbers within the ECE
industry by
A teacher speaks out: 'I'm effectively being forced out of a career
that I wanted to love’
An article from England that will resonate with
teachers all over.
“This is compounded by utter frustration that the reason I'm
scrabbling around frantically when it's still dark outside, and exhausted and
stressed during lessons, is that I was prevented from doing the basics of my
job by the aforementioned administrative burden.”
Contributed by Bruce Hammonds:
Why Is It 'Eleven, Twelve' Instead of 'Oneteen,
Twoteen’?
Some interesting historical maths to think about.
“Kids always notice the weird bits about
language better than grownups. Thanks to five-year-old Katie English for this
fabulous question!”
5 Tips for Teaching the Tough Kids
“I've had the privilege of teaching some tough
kids. I say "privilege" for a reason. Teaching these students pushed
me to be a better educator and a more compassionate person. I've detailed below
five methods that have reduced misbehavior in my
Strategies for Reaching Quiet, Disengaged,
Struggling, and Troublemaking Students
“Now, after nine years in the classroom and
learning from numerous failures, I still don't claim to have mastered the art
of teaching or connecting with every kind of student, but I do have some
thoughts on how to avoid my rookie mistakes.”
Tapping the Power of Personalized Learning
An introduction to a new book on personalised learning
“This book is about transforming the learning
ecosystem we have inherited from our parents and grandparents to better prepare
learners for their futures. The world has changed and continues to change
dramatically—we can't afford to prepare todays learners for yesterday's
challenges or even for today's. Over the past five years, our colleagues in the
network and we at the Institute for Personalized Learning have learned a lot
about what works in schools and what doesn't. We understand and appreciate the
crucial role that education leaders play in determining whether to consider,
implement, and sustain transformational change; our purpose is to help you
maximize the likelihood of success.”
From Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’
file:
What is a 'committed sardine'?
What we need are committed sardines ( creative
teachers) and less blue whales ( Ministry directives)
“Compare the way a blue whale turns around (slowly) with how a
school of…. Sardines- which is the same or even greater mass than a blue
whale... A school of sardines can almost turn instantly
Listening to silenced voices.
“Who should tell a schools story? Who knows best about what happens
in the classrooms? Who is best to judge the quality and effectiveness of
teaching For the last decade or so the only voices that have been heard are
those of the technocrats of the various Ministries of education as they have
imposed their so called ‘efficient' measurable curriculums – this is certainly
the case in New Zealand. Students in the process have been turned into
consumers and teachers asked to ‘deliver’ the curriculum!”
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