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
Ivan Snook: Assessing teachers - a plea for caution
‘In recent discussion of teaching in New Zealand it has been assumed
that the achievement of students and schools can be directly attributed to the
work of teachers. In its most naïve form, the claim is made that "good
teachers" (that is those whose students achieve good grades) should be
singled out (and somehow rewarded) and those who do not should be identified
(and somehow punished). The report points out how wrong-headed this proposal is
since it takes no account of the nature of the students or the progress they
may make over a period of time.’
Lifelong teachers require slow-burn training
‘New modern learning environments, increasing diversity and the
ever-changing world of technology demand new skills and knowledge from
teachers. How should we prepare teachers in times like these?
Well that depends on the teachers we want.’
Learning vs Education
‘Life is always teaching us things, whether we notice it or not. It
teaches us lessons by giving us experiences. We cannot not learn at all. For
the education system, this is when the school system programs your mind by
indoctrinating you with often, false ideas and beliefs, while the average
person denies or even defends this.’
How to Design a School That Prioritizes Kindness and Caring
‘Abri Weissman, a senior who heads up the Making Character Count
Committee, has seen a ripple effect of kindness spreading through the school,
especially during the second semester. Without prompting, friends have told her
stories about sweet gestures coming from classmates, none of which originated
in her committee. She sees students from different grades opening up to each
other, and being friendlier—a result, she believes, of the mix-it-up exercises.
The morning music and enthusiastic greetings have had a positive effect, she
added.’
Brain-training games 'do not boost
cognition’
Debunking of yet another fad…
‘The past decade has seen a rise in
popularity of brain-training games that claim to improve a range of mental
skills. However, a recent study that measured brain activity, decision-making,
and cognitive ability found that playing commercial brain games offered no
benefits above those of playing online video games.’
Factors Contributing to School Success by
Disadvantaged Students
‘A new US study contributes to this by
examining disadvantaged students’ own perceptions of what it takes to succeed
at school. It found that strong peer relationships, caring supportive teachers,
family and community support, and strong motivations all contribute significantly
to school success by disadvantaged students.’
Contributed by Bruce Hammonds:
Policies root of school failures
‘New Zealand's education system is
failing due to poor policy-making decisions based on skimpy , scientific analysis some of the country's leading education experts say. A new report
released by the Education Policy Response Group slams the Treasury's agenda for
education, saying it is fundamentally flawed.’
Difference Between Knowing and
Understanding
‘Finding the difference between knowing
and understanding can be difficult. It is hard to find a distinction
between the two because they are both abstract processes of the mind
and the brain. Being able to know their differences can lead us to a better
awareness of ourselves, who we are, and what we want.’
Educational doping: how our school system
encourages fake achievement
‘Think of a place where doping is both
prevalent and systemic in a public institution and you’re probably thinking
sports in Russia or East Germany, right? I’m going to argue that such doping
occurs right here in New Zealand – in our education system. I don’t, of course,
mean that schools are secretly feeding students speed before exams. Rather,
it’s what happens when learners are helped to achieve assessment results that
exceed their actual levels of capability.’
Digital Technologies and Research
‘While the potential of technology to
support teaching and learning is well established, an understanding of how to
integrate technology in ways that are pedagogically sound and enriching for
both young people and educators is less certain.’
From Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’ file:
Henry Pluckrose - creative educator
“‘Henry Pluckrose, who has just died at the age of 79, was one of
the most inspiring teachers of his generation. He believed that children have
intellectual, emotional and aesthetic capacities that few adults realise and
too few schools exploit'. From Guardian Newspaper obituary. As a teacher
'his
classroom resembled an artist's studio, buzzing with activity and creative
energy. Arts in the broadest sense formed the basis of his curriculum; not just
art and craft, but also drama, music , poetry and dance. He gave particular
emphasis to direct personal experience, taking children to museums, art
galleries, churches, historic buildings, woods, fields and parks.’”
 |
| Henry Pluckrose |
At last - a book by an inspirational teacher.
“'Welcome to the Aquarium' is a compelling personal account of
teaching full of wise advice on how to set up and maintain an effective and
caring classroom. I can't think of any recent book which talks about teaching
through the eyes of a teacher. It is wonderful change from the dry academic
books on education that are more commonly available; books that develop their
'wisdom' from a safe academic distance.”
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