Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Time for change?

David Warlick has highlighted the Time Magazine Cover story (December 18th 2006), "How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century", in this post on his 2 Cents Worth blog.
David sees this as an "opportunity to get ... ideas out in front of people who still envision their own 1970s (or 1950s) classrooms when they think of education." Familiar story!
The cover story should stimulate much needed global conversation about the challenges facing education in the 21st century and some fresh thinking .

David's apprehension, "I’m still a bit afraid that the wrong people will be empowered to affect change — rather than empowering educators to reinvent education," is shared by many educators. Recent examples where educators have been frozen out of forums discussing curriculum change, sidelined by politicians and, at best, afforded token representation make these fears real.

David's well considered reactions to the Time Magazine cover story deserve wide exposure. Take up his suggestion and promote this Cover Story via blogs and other mediums.
A new report about to be released, 'New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce', should add to global debate around re-envisioning K-12 education for students to be successful in the global economy.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

2006 international Edublog Awards

Congratulations to all the fabulous edubloggers nominated in the various categories for the 2006 international Edublog Awards. Voting closes on Saturday 16th December 2006.

Social Networking Fears

Graham Wegner has posted about Social Networking Fears Via The Media on his 'Teaching Generation Z' blog. I tried to add my comment but was rejected, even though I was logged in as SouthOz. So here's my brief comment, Graham.

Hi Graham,
Getting home (very late) from yet another social engagement this week, I opened my copy of The Independent Weekly, of which I am a subscriber, to see your photo and read the article, “Web technology leaves SA schools behind”. Quite a contrast to see the views of fellow 'netblazers' in print during a week of heavy reporting in the local Advertiser on the negatives of social networking. And as Bill points out, such editorials and the like are sure to 'escalate into the future'.

You say 'Unless, (teachers) willingly go online and explore the web and become familiar with the students’ tools of choice … then how are they to teach strategies and offer advice to their students?
I agree. This is a role that needs to be embraced by educators in the 21st century . 'One size fits all' central filtering, blocking access to anything resembling read/write web for educators and students, including teens and young adults, limits these opportunities.

PS I've added my response to your poll on 'Teaching Generation Z'. Should be interesting!