Moving To a Vision of the Future
Friends:
I recently heard Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond talk about the reauthorization of NCLB. I agree with other Firesiders that she is a great choice for Secretary of Ecuation. Her focus on closing achievement and equity gaps is on target.
It is my hope that, as we work to close achievement and equity gaps, we also look to the future of education. In the Story of B, Danielle Quinn says that programs are always reactionary, responding to some shortcoming or dilemma. This seems to define many aspects of NCLB.
My fear is that, if we only respond and react, we will never foresee or envision. An important and essential question for our immediate consideration is, What will education look like in 20 or 50 years, and what must we do between now and then to make it so?
As my children experience schooling (currently middle and high school), it is easy--even for them--to articulate the kind of teaching that connects them to learning. As they quickly grow into adults, I wonder how their children and children's children will connect with learning. I wonder how classrooms will look, how teachers will interact with each other and their students, how students will interact with one another, and the role that textbooks, technology, and pencils/paper will play in education. I also wonder how schools of education will differently prepare teachers and educational leaders.
This line of reasoning is of course close to one of the throughlines from PZC. It is also likely the focus of PZs Future of Learning conference. I hope we can use these and the Firesise forum to engage deeply in conversations that forsee, envision, and create.
Thank you,
Rod
I recently heard Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond talk about the reauthorization of NCLB. I agree with other Firesiders that she is a great choice for Secretary of Ecuation. Her focus on closing achievement and equity gaps is on target.
It is my hope that, as we work to close achievement and equity gaps, we also look to the future of education. In the Story of B, Danielle Quinn says that programs are always reactionary, responding to some shortcoming or dilemma. This seems to define many aspects of NCLB.
My fear is that, if we only respond and react, we will never foresee or envision. An important and essential question for our immediate consideration is, What will education look like in 20 or 50 years, and what must we do between now and then to make it so?
As my children experience schooling (currently middle and high school), it is easy--even for them--to articulate the kind of teaching that connects them to learning. As they quickly grow into adults, I wonder how their children and children's children will connect with learning. I wonder how classrooms will look, how teachers will interact with each other and their students, how students will interact with one another, and the role that textbooks, technology, and pencils/paper will play in education. I also wonder how schools of education will differently prepare teachers and educational leaders.
This line of reasoning is of course close to one of the throughlines from PZC. It is also likely the focus of PZs Future of Learning conference. I hope we can use these and the Firesise forum to engage deeply in conversations that forsee, envision, and create.
Thank you,
Rod
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Roll The Dice
Roll the dice... and visit a random Fireside member production online!
Roll The Dice
Roll the dice... and visit a random Fireside member production online!
(It's easy to make your own Delicious dice if you want!)
Delicious Firesidelearning
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