Short video explains one of my main themes: children like to learn. Facts are fun and knowledge is power. Unfortunately, our public schools often assume the opposite.
I watched the video. It is very well done. I agree with the premise to a point, but not entirely. For example, I agree that facts and knowledge are important and the basis for all that we do. I believe that children are curious and have an unlimited joy in learning. But learning is more than memorizing the dictionary from cover to cover (spelling wizards) or other memory tricks that allow people to win quiz shows.
And I agree that schooling is a problem. The focus on pedagogy rather than subject matter has led to classroom rituals that get in the way of children's curiosity and prevent them from moving ahead at their own pace, unlike individualized, online learning that is rapidly taking the place of classroom learning, to the alarm of educators who will go the way of buggy whip manufacturers with schools like Khan Academy making school buildings and people obsolete except for socialization activities like playgrounds and projects that develop teamwork and teams in physical settings.
Teachers and teaching, while still having some of the best benefits while not the best pay have been devalued over other, far less important, professions like accounting and pharmacy. My observation is that this has led to a lowering of standards and general grade inflation, as well as teaching teaching rather than process necessary for life in today's rapidly changing world. Most teachers in schools these days are what I used to call, "C", students--now getting As. Probably the reason why some people think that private, more expensive profit-making, schools are better. Everyone is teaching to the test.
I don't believe in testing, quizzing or the fascination with filling one's brain with facts for money or otherwise. I'm much more in favor of higher-level comprehension and critical thinking that comes from developing processes that allow one to discern fact from all the other information and misinformation that's out there. If I want a fact, I can easily find it on my smart phone these days. Even though memorizing addition and multiplication tables is useful for doing work "off the grid," it becomes unnecessary when one learns how to use powerful tools like Excel so that you don't have to clutter your mind with stuff.
Why do I say this? Because during my long years in higher education I often ran into other students who seemed to have the ability to score high on tests and had nearly photographic memories concerning facts, but did poorly in school and in their personal lives, probably because they were distracted all the time and sidetracking on creative but, unimportant, things.
The ones that succeed, the very few, drive our civilization forward.
At last, a version of Simple Steps to Sentence Sense for younger students and those whose native language is not English. Students can learn to analyze sentences in 5 easy steps.
This valuable educational tool for students and teachers not only entertains with engaging stories on the lives and events which comprised the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. It also provides important case studies of diversity, multiculturalism, an
And I agree that schooling is a problem. The focus on pedagogy rather than subject matter has led to classroom rituals that get in the way of children's curiosity and prevent them from moving ahead at their own pace, unlike individualized, online learning that is rapidly taking the place of classroom learning, to the alarm of educators who will go the way of buggy whip manufacturers with schools like Khan Academy making school buildings and people obsolete except for socialization activities like playgrounds and projects that develop teamwork and teams in physical settings.
Teachers and teaching, while still having some of the best benefits while not the best pay have been devalued over other, far less important, professions like accounting and pharmacy. My observation is that this has led to a lowering of standards and general grade inflation, as well as teaching teaching rather than process necessary for life in today's rapidly changing world. Most teachers in schools these days are what I used to call, "C", students--now getting As. Probably the reason why some people think that private, more expensive profit-making, schools are better. Everyone is teaching to the test.
I don't believe in testing, quizzing or the fascination with filling one's brain with facts for money or otherwise. I'm much more in favor of higher-level comprehension and critical thinking that comes from developing processes that allow one to discern fact from all the other information and misinformation that's out there. If I want a fact, I can easily find it on my smart phone these days. Even though memorizing addition and multiplication tables is useful for doing work "off the grid," it becomes unnecessary when one learns how to use powerful tools like Excel so that you don't have to clutter your mind with stuff.
Why do I say this? Because during my long years in higher education I often ran into other students who seemed to have the ability to score high on tests and had nearly photographic memories concerning facts, but did poorly in school and in their personal lives, probably because they were distracted all the time and sidetracking on creative but, unimportant, things.
The ones that succeed, the very few, drive our civilization forward.
Ron