Here are a few thoughts that are swirling around in my brain today…
- It’s hard for schools to teach kids how to make a dent in the universe when they’re focused so heavily on teaching compliance. It’s very difficult to reconcile ‘go out and change the world’ with ‘we’re going to tell you what to do and how to do it every minute of the day; just go along and don’t make trouble.’
- It’s hard for schools to teach kids how to make a dent in the universe when the majority of the people working in them don’t understand how most of the world-changing tools work.
- We’re afraid of an awful lot of stuff that never seems to actually happen.
Image credit: Think – Computer History Museum, Scott Loftesness
Scott, you make too much sense!
Agreed. 100%.
I think you pose some great thoughts, Scott. In fact, I think each point could be brought back to a central question: do we (as a society) really want all kids to make a dent in the world? It’s a great sound bite, but are we willing and able to accept it as a possibility?
Scott, who ever suggested that typical US schools want to help kids make dents in the universe? That wasn’t the case in ’55 to ’68 in my high-quality suburban school district and is far less true today.
I’m not bashing the idea of public schools, but when were they ever more than an institution of control and blandness and conformity, on the whole? If so, I missed that era. 🙁
These three questions would be great starting points for individual CONDIDERATION (http://johncbennettjr.com ) followed by serious discussion / planning with motivated colleagues. My “off-the-top” thought: It’s the policy / political mandates that too many educators fear; we need to keep in mind that it’s the damnable standardized tests that is really their goal – and facilitating effective learning including those tools will optimize test scores.
Schools and other institutions are lonely and damaging places for those who do not comply therefore parents must decide which path will have the most beneficial impact. Which skill in our society is most rewarded? Compliance or individuality? Where does this standard for success become ingrained in citizens?
Hey Pal,
Just a quick note to say that I dug this and that I hope you’re doing well!
It’s been a while since I stopped by. Wanted you to know that I appreciate all the content and ideas you share. They move my thinking more than you probably realize.
#grateful
Bill
I agree that many teachers are lacking the skills needed to teach our students using new technology. It is important for universities to update their teacher preparation programs to include 21st century technology, but also for existing teachers to continue learning.