Education Readings
By Allan Alach
I welcome suggested articles, so if you come
across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz
Why even the world’s highest-scoring schools need to change
‘Marion Brady is a veteran educator who has long argued that public
schools in the United States need a paradigm shift. The core curriculum, he
says, does not meet the needs of today’s students, and schools fail to do the
most important thing they should be doing. He explains in the following post.’
You Probably Believe Some Learning Myths: Take Our Quiz To Find Out
‘We all want for our kids to have optimal learning experiences and,
for ourselves, to stay competitive with lifelong learning. But how well do you
think you understand what good learning looks like?
Ulrich Boser says, probably not very well.’
We should be cautious about classroom tech
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| Teachers are the most imp APP |
‘However, before we blithely fall off the digital cliff
face like pixelated lemmings, we do need to assess the effect of our
coming bout with the big gorilla. Education has always been about freeing
ourselves from the coercive effect of ideology so that we can live informed
lives free from superstition or marketing. However, today we are on the cusp of
hitching ourselves to big business with very little empirical research on the
effect of technology in schools.’
Most people are secretly threatened by creativity
‘Creativity is highly prized in Western society—much touted by
cultures that claim to value
Finger painting as fun, learning and an act of resistance.
“Looking through some old pics of student art work I am reminded
that one of the things that drove teacher-hating trolls the most nuts was that
I, an elementary Art teacher, was paid a full teacher’s salary for “finger painting
with kids.” So I always made sure that during the school year that is exactly
what I did. And post it. Kids love to finger paint and it is messy! And I was
paid in full.”
Contributed by Bruce Hammonds:
Personalising education by introducing
the spiritual dimension - an antidote to linear standardised teaching
Bruce’s latest article:
‘I have just been looking at a book
,'Learning by Wandering: an Ancient Irish Perspective for a Digital
World' sent to me because the Irish author Marie Martin had made
use of some of my writing from an e-zine I wrote in 2009. I felt it a bit of a
honour to be included in her book alongside well recognized international educational
writers she made reference to.
Why high-flying Singapore wants more than
grades
‘The next update of the education system
will have to ensure that Singapore can create a more equitable society, build a
stronger social compact among its people while at the same time develop
capabilities for the new digital economy. Government policies are moving away
from parents and students' unhealthy obsession with grades and entry to top
schools and want to put more emphasis on the importance of values. Schools have
been encouraged, especially for the early elementary years, to scrap
standardised examinations and focus on the development of the whole child.’
Ignorance Might Be the Best Thing For
Your Creative Mind
‘There is no right and standard
prescription for creative work. Creativity requires some form of knowledge. But
knowledge alone is not useful unless you can make meaningful connections. A
more refined design and an efficient implementation are not absolute guarantees
of success.
Educators argue creativity just as
important as literacy and numeracy in national curriculum
‘The Federal Government-commissioned
report released in October last year recommended Australia's school curriculum
should refocus teaching in early childhood years on literacy and numeracy. But
some Sydney schools are worried if there is a shift away from fostering
creative and critical thinking skills, students will not learn the skills
needed when they enter the workforce.’
Is school 'killing' your child's
creativity? And does this matter?
‘Rote learning, controlling teachers and
a "fixation" on standardised tests are crushing children's
creativity, according to a school principal who is on a mission to change
things.’
From Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’ file:
Environmental
awareness for pre-schoolers - from 'On Looking' by Alexandra Horowitz
‘These days
learning using technology – exploring the 'virtual' world, seems to the latest ‘silver
bullet’ and, all too often, this is at the expense of developing an awareness
and appreciation of the real world.’
The Way David
Hockney Sees It.
‘Hockney's
skill has been his ability to make fresh pictures many based on real
technical skill. While I was in England I picked up on an newspaper interview with
Hockney and feel some of his ideas are worth sharing with
educators.’
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| David Hockney working outdoors on one of his 'big' paintings |
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