Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Sugata Mitra vs. Ken Robinson


What role do teachers play in learning according to Sugata Mitra's vision of a School in the Cloud that he articulates in his 2013 Ted Prize Wish?



Compare his vision to that of Ken Robinson, below.


Ken Robinson, Education's Death Valley
"Sir Ken Robinson outlines 3 principles crucial for the human mind to flourish — and how current education culture works against them. In a funny, stirring talk he tells us how to get out of the educational "death valley" we now face, and how to nurture our youngest generations with a climate of possibility."

3 Principles Guide Human Life in Flourishing
  • Diversity (as a strength to embrace) vs Conformity 
  • Curiosity (as the engine of achievement) vs Compliance 
  • Creativity (to allow flexibility and thinking outside the box) vs Standardization

He argues that the standardize testing landscape forgets about the relationship between "teaching" and "learning" as it deprofessionalizes teaching, and emphasizes control at the federal level. He makes a strong case for the importance of TEACHERS in awakening the the floor of the Educational Death Valley.

He believes that schools work when they:
  • Highly personalized
  • Strong teacher support
  • Tight links with community
  • Broad and diverse curriculum
  • Student involvement in and outside of school

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

This I Believe... Haiku

Digital Natives
What does learning look like here?
Make something, seek joy

Teaching needs patience
Inspiring teachers practice
Be helpful to teach

Teach dedication
Challenging yourself to teach
 Believe in students

Education is
access opportunity
empathy for all

kids are capable
they can be knowledge-able
when they are challenged

learning is ongoing
teaching nurture students' worlds
listening is key

The way we fund schools
fuels injustice, poverty
destroys neighborhoods

Everyone can learn
Classroom are microcosms
Kids need resources

To follow my dreams
I became a poor teacher
look how rich I am

Students need support
instruction much be given
emphasize strengths



Critical Resources for Ad Hacking

I heard a lot of people talking about SOCIAL CLASS when you were ad hacking today.  Thought you might like this resource to use for yourself or with kids.

PBS Original exploration of class, PEOPLE LIKE US

In this episode, a commentator "hacks" an upscale food store (like Williams Sonoma or Sur le Table).  Great to introduce some of the commentary!