http://edtech.disqus.com/A blog about the intersection of education, technology and productivity.enFri, 18 Apr 2008 05:02:27 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686680<p>Very well put, cynical or not.</p>F. HamreFri, 18 Apr 2008 05:02:27 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796448<p>Very well put, cynical or not.</p>F. HamreFri, 18 Apr 2008 05:02:27 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686681<p>No no - chief function to baby sit- you are far too cynical. We can effect change and develop empatheitic, self manged students of the world. In NZ our new curriculum is trying to do this. Check my blog to find out more- <a href="http://wiredteacher.edublogs.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://wiredteacher.edublogs.org">http://wiredteacher.edublog...</a></p>JennyThu, 17 Apr 2008 15:47:03 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796449<p>No no - chief function to baby sit- you are far too cynical. We can effect change and develop empatheitic, self manged students of the world. In NZ our new curriculum is trying to do this. Check my blog to find out more- <a href="http://wiredteacher.edublogs.org" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="http://wiredteacher.edublogs.org">http://wiredteacher.edublogs.org</a></p>JennyThu, 17 Apr 2008 15:47:03 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686682<p>The most rewarding, student-centered, learning effective school environments I have ever had the pleasure working in only existed for one year. That year was special. It only existed one year because the interpersonal dynamics between staff members and the direction our administration led us in only created that chemistry for that brief period of time. In this alternative learning setting we did not have classes. Our teachers all shared one large classroom for an office (although we did work with students in 8 separate rooms). Students and teachers roamed freely, seeking help and collaborating with teachers and fellow students when they felt they needed it. The only formally structured part of the day was the first 15 minutes when teachers met with their core students to go over their daily learning goals and hash out what they were going to do with their projects. Our staff was totally in sync because we were constantly working with each other on student, school, and curriculum issues. We, along with our students, approached school as a learning community and aside from the regular school standards and benchmarks we were all participating in a collective learning project about learning itself. There was no I or my, there was only we and ours. Projects conceived by one teacher or student were adopted, supported, and carried out school wide. We each individually owned our own learning yet did not possess it. This only lasted for one year. The next year aspirations changed, school management changed, and the chemistry was lost. The year following that over half the staff either lost their jobs to budget cuts or left to graze in greener pastures.</p>Carl AndersonThu, 17 Apr 2008 01:58:44 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796450<p>The most rewarding, student-centered, learning effective school environments I have ever had the pleasure working in only existed for one year. That year was special. It only existed one year because the interpersonal dynamics between staff members and the direction our administration led us in only created that chemistry for that brief period of time. In this alternative learning setting we did not have classes. Our teachers all shared one large classroom for an office (although we did work with students in 8 separate rooms). Students and teachers roamed freely, seeking help and collaborating with teachers and fellow students when they felt they needed it. The only formally structured part of the day was the first 15 minutes when teachers met with their core students to go over their daily learning goals and hash out what they were going to do with their projects. Our staff was totally in sync because we were constantly working with each other on student, school, and curriculum issues. We, along with our students, approached school as a learning community and aside from the regular school standards and benchmarks we were all participating in a collective learning project about learning itself. There was no I or my, there was only we and ours. Projects conceived by one teacher or student were adopted, supported, and carried out school wide. We each individually owned our own learning yet did not possess it. This only lasted for one year. The next year aspirations changed, school management changed, and the chemistry was lost. The year following that over half the staff either lost their jobs to budget cuts or left to graze in greener pastures.</p>Carl AndersonThu, 17 Apr 2008 01:58:44 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686679<p>very interesting 10 there - agree especially with last one :(</p>maryWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:42:52 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796447<p>very interesting 10 there - agree especially with last one :(</p>maryWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:42:52 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686678<p>8 out of the 10 I think are brilliant.<br>Not sure about numbers 7 and 10 (ps there's an large mass of code from your template sitting under this comment window!)</p>nstoneitWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:26:23 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796446<p>8 out of the 10 I think are brilliant. <br>Not sure about numbers 7 and 10 (ps there's an large mass of code from your template sitting under this comment window!)</p>nstoneitWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:26:23 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-20686677<p>Interesting list Doug. I agree with most of it, and share your frustrations, but</p><p>2. Disagree completely. I've been affected profoundly by people that I have met only once.</p>Robert JonesWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:23:17 -0000http://dougbelshaw.com/blog/2008/04/16/10-home-truths-about-schooling-and-education/#comment-95796445<p>Interesting list Doug. I agree with most of it, and share your frustrations, but</p><p>2. Disagree completely. I've been affected profoundly by people that I have met only once.</p>Robert JonesWed, 16 Apr 2008 14:23:17 -0000