Education Readings
By Allan Alach
Every week Bruce Hammonds and I collect articles
to share with teachers to encourage a creative approach to teaching and
learning. We welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it
to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz
Drama the pedagogy of hope
‘The importance of drama as pedagogy and as a way of resisting
threats to participatory democracy was affirmed by an international conference
of drama educators and researchers in Auckland last week.’
Opinion: Peter Lyons – the modern tyranny of metrics
Peter Lyons is dubious when it comes to setting
SMART goals to hold teachers accountable.
‘I loathe the modern mantra of management which entails the need for
metrics to measure performance and ensure accountability. To prove your worth
with a
Place-Based Education Empowers Students to Make Change
‘Place-based learning engages students in solving problems in their
communities. In the
Can the ‘Not-School’ Movement Help Kids Re-Engage with
‘An Australian researcher asserts that the alternative educational
approach known as the “not-school” movement can lead to greater learning
outcomes for children who are struggling in traditional school.’
Carol Dweck Explains The 'False' Growth Mindset That Worries Her
 |
| Carol Dweck |
'Dweck explains all the ways she sees growth mindset being
misappropriated. Her complicated psychological research has gotten boiled down
to, "praise the effort, not the outcome." Dweck also explained what
she means by a "false" growth mindset.’
Finding the joy in learning. Harnessing the power of ‘What if…’
‘I know many schools are moving towards, or already include this
style of learning with extended periods of time via project/problem-based
learning, genius hour, inquiry learning, etc., but what if all students at all
levels could feel as engaged and as excited about their learning as I did about
mine today? Today, I experienced being lost in the joy of learning that is too
frequently denied many of our students.’
Here’s a selection of articles looking at how secondary schools can
be run to meet the needs of today’s students. Sadly many/most New Zealand
secondary schools don’t appear to have moved beyond the late 19th century
factory model.
How does a new secondary school ‘become’? Claire Amos
‘So how do a new school’s leaders turn a vision into reality?
Evidence on what it’s like to make a new school from scratch is hard to find.
What is scarce is information that helps us understand what it takes to develop
a school culture, systems, pedagogical and pastoral practices and the like from
a vision and empty new buildings. Hobsonville Point Secondary School (HPSS)
gave me access to learn a little of how this particular school found its feet.’
My HPSS Journey - reflecting on an awesome five and a half years - Claire Amos
 |
| Claire Amos |
‘I believe HPSS is genuinely beginning to reimagine what secondary
schooling needs to look like and I can tell you, having lived it for the last
five and half year, it is the most exciting and most challenging job an
educator can have. Experienced teachers feel like they have their training
wheels permanently fitted, genuinely living out what it means to be an adaptive
expert.'
Impact Projects - Prototyping an innovation project
‘So when I had the opportunity to offer an Impact Project I knew I
wanted to see how I approach it as if developing an Innovation Curriculum. I
began by thinking about what Innovation might look if it were to become a stand
alone subject. I decided that I would be best offering a project that was less
about subject expertise and more about focusing
on supporting students who came with their own ideas and were more in need of a
project/innovation coach.’
 |
| Patea Area School receives UNESCO Award |
Nicola Ngarewa presents the exciting developments of Patea Area
School at New Plymouth TED Talk.
‘Ngarewa closed the show with her captivating plight to
"disrupt the education norms".Born from along-line of educators,
Ngarewa's talk detailed her time as a principal at Pātea AreaSchool, which
was
a low-achieving school under statutory management when she first stepped into the
role.She spoke about how through shifting mindsets and tackling education with
an innovative approach, she was able to radically improve the school's academic
results and increase both its roll and its attendance rate.'
From Bruce’s ‘goldie oldies’ file:
Transforming Secondary Education – the most difficult challenge of
all.Thoughts from a past age – ‘Young Lives at Stake’ by Charity James
‘Charity James believed it was important to get secondary education
right if all students were to leave able to take advantage of the exciting
opportunities the future might offer.
The challenge remains. Secondary schools need a radical reappraisal to
ameliorate the effects of obvious social and cultural disadvantages and also to
develop the needs, talents and gifts of all students.’
Artistry versus conformity in teaching.
‘Today 'best practice' rules supreme as teachers follow suggestions
to try to direct their students'
No comments:
Post a Comment