innovation

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 →

Reflections on Competition in School

Posted by zoeweil ⋅ February 25, 2011 ⋅ 15 Comments

An educational reformer whom I admire very much was kind enough to watch my TEDx talk, “The World Becomes What You Teach,” and provide feedback. While he enjoyed the talk, he had one quibble with it. I had suggested that instead of debate teams in schools (in which students are arbitrarily assigned one side or … Continue reading →

Learning is (supposed to be) fun, no?

Posted by kima ⋅ January 16, 2011 ⋅ 10 Comments

My older daughter is a grade 1 student in a French Immersion school and this year the school emphasizes reading and writing basic sight words as one of the goals for the kids. While the first four months she brought no homework, starting this month, her class will do a regular dictation exercise at the … Continue reading →

Ken Robinson’s New Talk on Education Paradigms

Posted by zoeweil ⋅ January 12, 2011 ⋅ 6 Comments

Take a look at Ken Robinson’s new talk on education paradigms through RSA Animate: Ken Robinson is so brilliant about identifying the systemic problems in education that perpetuate and escalate ennui, lack of creativity, and the failure of wisdom to take root (that Barry Schwartz discusses in his recent TED talk). What are the solutions … Continue reading →

An Open Letter to Educators

Posted by zoeweil ⋅ December 17, 2010 ⋅ 6 Comments

Take a look at this YouTube video from Dan Brown: “An Open Letter to Educators”: Dan dropped out of college because, as he said, “my schooling was interfering with my education.” As he describes a typical college class and makes a passionate and positive plea for real education for the 21st century, do you find … Continue reading →