RaceDay for schools: a free Enterprise resource from the British Horseracing Authority. It is aimed at 11-16s (Key Stages 3 and 4) in England, Wales and Scotland.
As part of our Schools that Work series, the Edutopia staff profiled School of the Future in New York City. We focused on showing their comprehensive assessment strategy: video, free resources and tools and ten takeaway tips on assessment are provided.
There is a great deal that I like about this description of humanity at its best from Ryan & Deci. It is both a goal to be achieved and an indicator of conditions which are required for us to fulfil our potential. While the focus of this statement is on the actions of the individual we can see how society might act to deny individuals the opportunities to lead such an inspired and agentic life. I like to imagine what a school might be like if every individual who plays a part in its functioning strove to extend themselves, master new skills and apply their talents responsibly.
Maybe schools would be like the 'learning organisations' described by Peter Senge.
When schools communicate, and share strategies they are using to develop mindsets, dispositions and competencies with parents and when parents adopt these strategies and elements of a metalanguage for learning and thinking, our students are better able to integrate the desirable attributes.
It is tempting to make predictions of the skills that our students will need beyond their time at school. Such wondering can be a useful guide as we contemplate what we shall focus on with our curriculum. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of predictions for future skillsets published by educators, economists and analysts. What might we learn from such lists, and how should education systems respond?
I am wanting to take a slightly different approach to this weeks post. The past week has seen the latest round of PISA results and the media has had a field day. Headlines have routinely attacked students, educators and education systems in equal measure. The Canberra Times reported that "Australian school scores plummet on world stage", the Sydney Morning Herald led with "Alarm bells': Australian students record worst result in global tests" and The Weekend Australian went with "PISA global educational rankings: Schools fail on maths, science".
lesson plans for experiments (not virtual) to teach: flotation, hover craft, capillary action, air pressure, making gas, chemical reaction, light refraction, light spectrum, gravity, inertia. Probably 4th grade and above
What makes a highly effective adult education program depends on how well a school stimulates adult learning. These qualities are influenced by the ever-accelerating advances of knowledge and technology. Also, let's not forget about adults who decide whether they want to continue to learn or not and businesses which must continue to teach and train their employees or slide into obsolescence.
edHelper.com is dedicated to providing PreK - high school teachers a single shop for educational resources. Great source for handouts, worksheets, puzzles, word searches, etc.
Taken simplistically there could be a feeling that due to the complexity of large systems change becomes an uncontrollable beast with a mind of its own.