Education Readings
I
welcome suggested article so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz
Networkonnet education manifesto for the 2017 election
Kelvin
Smythe has produced this document setting out his vision for education for the
coming New Zealand general election in September this year. There’s much in this
that could be adapted for other countries.
‘The
propagandising and spinning of education ‘achievement’ that dominates our
current system, the scapegoating, disenfranchising, privatisation, and financial
and spiritual impoverishment is not government whim or a series of unrelated
actions, but ingrained ideological policy as part of global capitalism and a
shift against democracy.’
Five Reasons Why Performance Pay for Teachers is Dangerous Territory
Here’s
a discussion paper from New Zealand’s newest political party:
 |
| Gareth Morgan |
‘The
New Zealand Initiative’s new report calls for performance pay for teachers. It
is an alluring concept, and one that intuitively appeals, after all we can all
agree that good performers should be rewarded for their effort. However, when it
comes to teaching that idea falls down on a detailed examination. Here’s 5
reasons why.’
‘To retain our best teachers we need to stop killing them with planning, marking and meetings’
‘Just
about every teacher will recognise the sad truth: they are working longer and
longer hours week after week. (It would appear that this is now recognised by
the Department for Education, too). The most profound question to address is
whether these extra hours spent in the school are actually improving the quality
of teaching and learning. Sadly, it would seem, this is not the case. It is
rather more likely that we are spending endless hours perfuming menial tasks
because that’s just what is expected of us…’The good, the bad and the ugly: Technology and 21st Century Learning
‘There
are many in the world of education (not to forget the corporate powerhouses in
the technology industry) who believe that the world was re-created on 1st
January 2000 but it is
A Pedagogical Shift Needed for Digital Success
On
a similar theme:
‘I
get the fact that technology can increase engagement, but if that engagement
does not lead to evidence of learning then what’s the point?’
Three Myths About “Reading Levels”
And
why you shouldn’t fall for them…
‘However
measured, reading levels can be a generally useful guide to whether a particular
text is going to be far too difficult for a particular reader. For example, the
student who scored at 4.6 on a recent, valid reading test will probably have
significant difficulty reading
‘Such
misguided policies and practices are based on three very prevalent myths about
reading levels.’
Contributed
by Bruce
Hammonds:
‘You somehow imposed your own prejudices on education’ – one primary teacher’s extraordinary open letter to Michael Gove
 |
| Michael Gove |
Letter
to former UK Minister of Education, which also applies to New Zealand, USA, and
Australia.
‘The
most shocking thing about Michael Gove’s reign as education secretary was that
one individual was able to change the system so much for the worse, writes this
primary teacher.’
Teaching as a Subversive Activity
‘If
you were educated to be a teacher in the 60’s – as I was – you were groomed to
see “teaching as a subversive activity” after the leading education prep book of
the time by the same name, authored by Charles Weingartner and Neil Postman.
Their approach to schooling, known as inquiry education, emphasized student
questions more than teacher answers. Teaching was characterized as a tool for
questioning the status quo, as a means to talk truth to power and as a salvo
against the all too often stultifying effects of the establishment.’Lesson in stupidity: Savage chop in classroom as schools face first real-terms cuts in 20 years
Does
this seem familiar in your country?
‘School
budgets are failing to keep pace with inflation, meaning rising prices outstrip
the
In an age of robots, schools are teaching our children to be redundant
‘In
the future, if you want a job, you must be as unlike a machine as possible:
creative, critical and socially skilled. So why are children being taught to
behave like machines?
Children
learn best when teaching aligns with their natural exuberance, energy and
curiosity. So why are they dragooned into rows and made to sit still while they
are stuffed with facts? We succeed in adulthood through collaboration. So why is
collaboration in tests and exams called cheating?’
From
Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’ file:
Pride through personal excellence
 |
| A Maori patu - it takes time to achieve such quality |
‘It
seems these days teachers rush through tasks to ‘deliver’ or ‘cover’ the
curriculum.The idea of doing things well has been lost in this rush yet we all
know that pride of achievement comes from succeeding so well at a task we even
surprise ourselves.As a result students produce little of real substance.
Teachers are too busy proving what they have done to focus on the more important
need to see each student does the very best work they can.’
Environmental awareness for pre-schoolers – from ‘On Looking’ by Alexandra Horowitz
On
Looking – Eleven walks with expert ideas. A wonderful book that reflects the
multiple intelligences of Howard Gardner and the importance of different
frameworks to interpret the environment. Love the walk with the four year old
and the dog. Or culture fosters inattention but this book will help you uncover
the unbelievable things to observe in your environment.
‘Alexandra
Horowitz, who trained as a cognitive scientist, explains the startling power of
human attention and what it means to be an expert observer.’
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