So I don't normally promote websites, but I think this one is rather cool. Maybe you've already heard about this website and I'm late to the party, but if you have an extra hour or two, take some time and peruse this site.
The site is called TED (Technology, Education, Design). Each year TED, "brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes)". In short, over a thousand people come together to talk and share ideas on a variety of topics. "Ideas worth spreading," as they like to say.
It's just a really neat concept and I think a worthwhile site.
Here is one video that I like in particular, as it pertains to education. This video is about schools today killing student creativity. You don't, however, have to be a teacher to appreciate it, which is nice. As Sir Ken Robinson says, "we all have an interest in education." My favorite part is about 15:30 into the video.
Anyway, that's it. Take a gander if you'd like.
~Mikey D
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4 comments:
Interesting site, I hadn't heard of it.
I liked the Robinson video. My favorite part was when he was talking about the dancer who is a famous multi-millionaire, but could just as easily been put on medication and told to sit still.
I want some more meat though. OK, the education system needs reforming, I'm with you. I might not agree 100% with everything, but I accept the premise. How do you propose we change it? I understand that it's supposed to be a 20 minute speech, but I would have liked him to address what he thinks a school day SHOULD be like, along with how it currently is and why it's wrong.
Of course, it would take some creativity from the school adminstrators to make any radical changes. Is that a catch-22?
So you want a conference that has ideas with possible solutions. I think part of the charm of the conference is that it's soley the expression of ideas, and it's up to the listeners to grab hold of them and come up with solutions. Or at least discuss with others the ideas that are brought up.
It is a catch-22. With No Child Left Behind and the push for the mastery of the core subject areas, creativity (and inquiry, for that matter) is harder and harder to promote in schools today.
I like the dancer part, too. That part hits close to home with me because I see those types of students on a daily basis.
I do indeed want solutions along with ideas. But your point is well taken.
Perhaps on a second day, or for twenty minutes after each talk, you let people discuss the idea and offer solutions.
The more I think about it, solutions really are just ideas. Whatever solution Robinson would have proposed would have still just been his own thought or idea, which I'll admit, I'd be curious to hear.
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