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Time to think out of the box ! Education Readings By Allan Alach I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz What Are the Proper Purposes of a System of Schooling? ‘I’m raising this as a question.  Suppose you, magically, were part of a committee charged with developing, completely from scratch, a school system for our modern time s.  You and the other committee members realize that before designing the structure, you need a clear idea of the purpose of schools.   And let’s suppose you are idealists enough to believe that the purpose should have something to do with education (as opposed, for example, to such purposes as providing employment for teachers or supporting the textbook and testing industries).  You are asked to come to the next meeting with a brief, written statement of what you think that purpose (or those purposes) should be . Now, here’s what I’m asking you to do in this little survey...

Education Readings By Allan Alach I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz The hidden dangers of caring about your career too much ‘This is one of the most important social justice and economic issues of our time. Until teachers feel valued and supported in their pursuit of their calling, they will continue to leave the classroom —and our most vulnerable children will suffer as a result.’ http://bit.ly/2oPsekK Why School Makes Us Stupid ‘ If you've ever thought school sucks, is a waste of time, or the education system is stupid, then this video is for you.’ http://bit.ly/2ovMEeY A Look at 6 Digital Citizenship Myths That Must Be Dispelled ‘ When digital citizenship cemented itself into the public consciousness only a few years ago, it definitely had its critic s. That remains true even today as we strive to understand what it means and how to practice it in our homes and classrooms. Many digital citizenship myths still h...

Easter Friday Education Readings By Allan Alach I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz Apostrophe vigilantes: who cares? Think you’re an expert on apostrophes? ‘The Apostrophe Police are everywhere . Not only do they want you to get apostrophes in what they think are the right places, they are also ready to mock you if you get it wrong. The general message is that the rules for apostrophes are very easy, and only a fool could make a mistake.’ http://bit.ly/2ougcNA Standardized Testing Creates Captive Markets Captive students ‘For example, school children as young as 8-years-old are forced to take a battery of standardized tests in public schools. Would educators prescribe such assessments if it were up to them? Would parents demand children be treated this way if they were consulted? Or i s this just a corporate scam perpetrated by our government for the sole benefit of a particular industry that funnels a portion of t...

Tapping the wisdom of past teachers  ( Bill Guild) Education Readings By Allan Alach I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it to me at allanalach@inspire.net.nz Creativity being lost in our schools T he Joy Of Opting Out Of Standardized Testing ‘ Testing season is a gray period in my classroom. But it’s a joy in my house. As a classroom teacher with a daughter in the public school system, I’m always struck by the difference. In school I have to proctor the federally mandated standardized tests. But I’ve opted my own daughter out. She doesn’t take them. So at home, I get to see all the imaginative projects she’s created in her class while the other kids had to trudge away at the exam. ’ http://huff.to/2nFzqMA Opt Out 2017: Refusing Education as a Police Power This article is by Mark J Garrison, whose book A measure of failure: The political origins of standardized testing is well worth reading. ‘All of this harms the quality of education and does nothing...

A guest contribution by Kelvin Smyth e An independent voice on education speaking out on matters that need to be spoken about. In Which Piglet looks for a 21stC Education  . by   Kelvin Smythe One day, when Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet were all talking together, Christopher Robin finished the mouthful he was eating and said carelessly: ‘I saw a  21 st  Century   Education  to-day, Piglet.’ ‘What was it doing?’ asked Piglet. ‘Just lumping along,’ said Christopher Robin. ‘I don’t think it saw me.’ ‘I saw one once,’ said Piglet. ‘At least I think I did,’ he said. ‘Only perhaps it wasn’t.’ ‘So did I,’ said Pooh wondering what a  21 st  Century Education  was like. ‘You don’t often see them,’ said Christopher Robin matter-of-factly. ‘Not now,’ said Piglet. ‘Not at this time of year,’ said Pooh. Just as they came to the Six Pine Trees, Pooh looked around to see that nobody else was listening, and said in a very solemn voice: ‘Pi...