Let their voice be heard !
On 10th/11th February I am going to Paris to take part in a European convention concerned with looking at network connectivity for schools and services provided to schools, as well as how they are used by schools, and what the needs of schools are in this respect.
http://www.terena.org/activities/earnest/ws-schools/
I have just read the DEMOS pamphlet by Hannah Green and Celia Hannon called 'Their Space - Education for a digital generation' and find myself, not so much agreeing with them, but noting that they concur with beliefs that I strongly hold.
http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/theirspace
The Executive summary of the work says:
' School’s out ...
The current generation of decision-makers – from politicians to teachers – see the world from a very different perspective to the generation of young people who do not remember life without the
instant answers of the Internet or the immediate communication of mobile phones. It is these decision-makers who shape the way that digital technologies are used in the system and who set them up to limit their use and role in everyday life. This is a short-term solution to a long-term change. In an economy driven by knowledge rather than manufacturing, employers are already valuing very different skills, such as creativity, communication, presentation skills and
team-building. Schools are at the front line of this change and need to think about how they can prepare young people for the future workplace. But it is not just about schools – parents, young people and society in general have a blind spot in terms of recognising and valuing these ‘softer’ skills.'
Is this how you see it ?
I am concerned that unless we recognise ( their final chapter) ...' The world has changed so why haven't we'... any system 'we' think is acceptable will be bypassed.
What do you think and feel please?
Labels: connectivity, DEMOS, education
posted by Doug @ 17:10
2 Comments
2 Comments:
We need to recognise that change in behaviour has already happened but our challenge is for schools and leaders to think innovatively and make an impact by reinvigorating ICT lessons. They need to use digital tools to embed technologies across the curriculum. Teachers need to be empowered to use them creatively and provide engaging, learning experiences - bridging the gap between the outside and inside of the classroom.
For me a key message is that schools (and onlien communities of learners) become spaces for reflective 'meta-learning'. I was watching a student teacher the other day. I remarked on the student teacher's ability to control the class much better when they were doing some practical activity. The key objective of the lkesson was not this activity per se. they ahd those skills. It was the refelction on it. As a trainer of ICT teachers it does concern me sometimes that I don't get this message across - you don't need to be the expert at skills to be a good teacher. You need to be the expert at learning.
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