learning

Creating a Powerful Education for Our Children (Guest post by Beth Kimberly @Playworks)

Posted by dloitz ⋅ March 15, 2012 ⋅ 1 Comment

originally posted on bkimberly’s Playworks blog Although we probably didn’t think of it this way at the time, our childhoods were full of informal education outside of school. This is where we were taught social norms, empathy, teamwork, problem solving and leadership by playing and learning from other, older kids. Unfortunately, it seems that many … Continue reading »

Playing with Math

Posted by Paula White ⋅ March 12, 2012 ⋅ 3 Comments

This post was first posted on my personal blog as Visualizing Math. Thanks to David Wees (who has retweeted it) and David Loitz for the push to put it here as well. I love math. Am I an expert at it? No. Do I make mistakes as I teach it? Probably–but I work hard not … Continue reading »

What is Underground Education? The How’s, Why’s, and What-Nots

Posted by educatedtodeath ⋅ March 11, 2012 ⋅ 2 Comments

Originally posted at educatedtodeath.com. @educatedtodeath Underground Education is revolutionary, but does not aim to teach or incite external revolution; rather, it aims to nudge minds awake. Underground education begins the moment you see something that needs to be taught, and you teach it regardless of time allotted. Teachers engage in this daily. It is … Continue reading »

To train and control or to teach and learn: is there a choice?

Posted by educatedtodeath ⋅ March 4, 2012 ⋅ 4 Comments

Originally posted at educatedtodeath.com It seems that the goal of institutions is dominion over mankind. Organizations function to tame wild spirits and make them act civilly. This is not a terrible thing— people acting civilly. But, do the rulers act civilly? Not just the grand rulers, the government, corporations, etc., but the smaller rulers. Those … Continue reading »

Our Schools Have Been Hijacked: Let’s Talk About It

Posted by educatedtodeath ⋅ February 25, 2012 ⋅ 8 Comments

Originally posted at http://www.educatedtodeath.com What would it take to provide a “world class” education? Is it possible in the U.S. public schools system as it is? I venture to say no. If the answer is ‘no’, then what needs to be done? Is the answer in democratizing our schools? Eliminating bureaucracy? Liberating the education system … Continue reading »

If a third party professional development group must be used…

Posted by educatedtodeath ⋅ February 15, 2012 ⋅ 3 Comments

In this topsy-turvy educational world of mass assessment and intense evaluation schools and school districts are turning to third party groups to help pull them from the mire. Schools are desperate and are willing to pay for anyone who can bring a new method, packet, or plan that offers even a glimmer of hope. This, … Continue reading »

In the year 2012, I will strive to become a student of…

Posted by Stephen Hurley ⋅ January 9, 2012 ⋅ 3 Comments

I’ve had it with New Year’s resolutions. I’m sure I’m not alone in that sentiment, am I? Oh, I still welcome the New Year as an opportunity to look back, look ahead, and to think about how my life might be just a little better. But after 53 years of life on this planet, I … Continue reading »

Utter Failure of Original Intent

Posted by @DrJackKing ⋅ December 30, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

Please don’t think this unfair, but our schools do not know how to adapt to the ever-changing needs of learners. Sure, some teachers are exceptionally dedicated. And, yes, schools continue, in a round about way, to meet their basic intent. Basic intent? What is that? Ask Catherine the Great. Science, English, math, social studies, and … Continue reading »

Is society incompatible with imagination?

Posted by kima ⋅ December 29, 2011 ⋅ 6 Comments

It’s been a while since I last blogged here — part of the reason is that I didn’t feel I can contribute as much in the efforts to change education as the rest of my Coop friends, but part was my feeling I need to focus on my family and my own health after the … Continue reading »

What if…

Posted by Paula White ⋅ December 21, 2011 ⋅ Leave a Comment

every classroom you knew gave these Gifts of Opportunity? Do YOU give them regularly? While this blog post was written for business, it is SO True for education! What opportunities would you add? *thanks to @kariweston for the link on Twitter.

Cooperative Catalyst Presents: Dream School Commons

Posted by daretheschool ⋅ November 7, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

Jaime R. Wood is founder of Dream School Commons, a nonprofit organization with the mission of starting innovative low-cost or no-cost schools that serve populations in need. She is also the author of Living Voices: Multicultural Poetry in the Middle School Classroom (NCTE 2006). She started her teaching career working with middle school students in an alternative charter school … Continue reading »

Students should be at the center of Authentic Assessment

Posted by dloitz ⋅ September 17, 2011 ⋅ 14 Comments

What is Authentic Assessment? What is the purpose of assessment, grades, tests? It is not enough to just assess what students know or don’t know and mark it in a book or relay it to the parents, twice a year at conferences. I think assessment should be used solely for the the betterment and growth … Continue reading »

Returning to School: Education for a Livable Planet

Posted by zoeweil ⋅ September 5, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

For my blog post today, I’m sharing a recent post I wrote for Common Dreams, a progressive news site. Here’s an excerpt from “Returning to School: Education for a Livable Planet”: “Students and teachers are returning to school. I know few in either group who are genuinely excited at the prospect. This is a travesty … Continue reading »

Open Education: learning is at our fingertips

Posted by daretheschool ⋅ August 23, 2011 ⋅ 15 Comments

Over the past decade, there has been a steady rise in Open Courseware programs. Open Courseware is the concept of college courses being offered to the general public free of charge via the internet. The pioneer of the Open Courseware movement was MIT, who began this initiative in 2002. Soon, reputable universities such as Yale, … Continue reading »

Free Schools Revisited: Revolution vs. Transformation

Posted by daretheschool ⋅ August 18, 2011 ⋅ 5 Comments

“The public school exists to turn out manageable workers, obedient consumers, manipulable voters, and if need be willing killers” -Jonathan Kozol author of Free Schools The most notable and recent movement for alternative education occurred in 1960’s to the early 1970’s, and was known as the “free school” movement. The free school movement was an … Continue reading »

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