I couldn't help but think about Project Based Learning as I read the first chapter in LD-H's book. When I read about the fewer-subject and deeper-learning approach favored in countries with more successful education systems (such as Japan), it sounded quite a bit like the PBL model our district is trying to implement. And I also couldn't help but thinking, in the wake of common frustration with New Tech Network's approach to teaching teachers about PBL, why didn't they tell us this in the first place? Understanding the global picture and circumstances that are giving rise to this type of education might not convince every teacher it's the right route to take, but at least it would offer perspective backed by solid research. This reading also made me think that teachers are being sent mixed messages, if they are encouraged to do the kind of critical-thinking teaching that's being modeled in other countries, but still being measured by standardized tests that assess that learning in a limited way.
So, the world is becoming flat due to global politics, the growing availability of information, and the fact that technology makes it possible to hire people halfway around the world to do work that was previously limited by proximity. A significant problem with this new condition is that we as a nation are losing ground- and jobs- to people overseas. Additionally, inequity within our own country is growing, which is one of the reasons outsourcing is on the increase. According to LD-H, our country is not producing enough qualified workers. (Which is ironic, since so many college graduates seem to be unable to find profitable jobs.) What's worse, in place of those qualified workers, we're filling our prisons with high school drop outs. We're spending $30,000 on each prisoner per year, rather than spending $10,000 to boost their chances in school earlier on.
I don't pretend to have any good answers to the problems generated by our "flat world" full of educational inequality and growing technological advancements. Most of my answers flirt with socialism (yikes!)- maybe the exact same amount of money, spent on every student, nation-wide? Then add on extra for those in poverty-stricken areas? Eliminate the problem of affordable college by making universities free?
So, the world is becoming flat due to global politics, the growing availability of information, and the fact that technology makes it possible to hire people halfway around the world to do work that was previously limited by proximity. A significant problem with this new condition is that we as a nation are losing ground- and jobs- to people overseas. Additionally, inequity within our own country is growing, which is one of the reasons outsourcing is on the increase. According to LD-H, our country is not producing enough qualified workers. (Which is ironic, since so many college graduates seem to be unable to find profitable jobs.) What's worse, in place of those qualified workers, we're filling our prisons with high school drop outs. We're spending $30,000 on each prisoner per year, rather than spending $10,000 to boost their chances in school earlier on.
I don't pretend to have any good answers to the problems generated by our "flat world" full of educational inequality and growing technological advancements. Most of my answers flirt with socialism (yikes!)- maybe the exact same amount of money, spent on every student, nation-wide? Then add on extra for those in poverty-stricken areas? Eliminate the problem of affordable college by making universities free?