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Tag Archives: United States
Beware of Cognitive Theft
Gary Davis at the Republic of Mathematics blog writes,
Over the years, as a teacher educator in the UK and the United States, I have helped student teachers, as well as practicing teachers, to focus less on their own explanations and focus more on what their students understand. Less talk and more listening.
He uses the term “cognitive theft” to refer to the idea that students learn more by listening to the teacher instead of trying to explain or think through the problem themselves. It’s something I’ve not heard before.
I think we are all guilty of cognitive theft at one time or another. What are some ways that we can fight against it?
Tagged UK, United States
Obama: Future depends on science, math education
Encourage your gifted student to explore math and science learning, even if that’s not their strongest area. The United States is falling behind other countries in STEM learning. Unfortunately, it probably take a grass-roots effort by parents to increase schools’ emphasis on math and science. President Obama is saying all the right things, but we need to make sure his actions reinforce his words:
“It’s hard to describe just how impressive these young people are,” Obama, who is emphasizing math and science education, said afterward at a reception. Their work “is a testament to the potential that awaits when we inspire young people to take part in the scientific enterprise.”
Obama, who shows a personal fascination with science, said these victories often go unnoticed.
via The Associated Press: Obama: Future depends on science, math education.
If we don’t care about math and science, our children’s teachers won’t care either.
Skill-level Grouping, Not Grade-level Grouping
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Forget about students spending one year in each grade, with the entire class learning the same skills at the same time. Districts from Alaska to Maine are taking a different route.
Instead of simply moving kids from one grade to the next as they get older, schools are grouping students by ability. Once they master a subject, they move up a level. This practice has been around for decades, but was generally used on a smaller scale, in individual grades, subjects or schools.
via Some schools grouping students by skill, not grade level – USATODAY.com.
KCMO is trying this because the district has been failing for years, despite the billions of federal and state dollars that have been flowing into the district.
But, if the economic situation was better, I don’t think schools like the KCMO school district would be trying this. However, engaged citizens have known for years that the current model of learning is outdated.
The present model of education is better suited to making widgets on an assembly-line or harvesting crops on a farm. We need a model that promotes creativity and critical thinking, ideal skills for STEM careers that we so desperately need in the United States.
I’m glad that districts are starting to wake up and realize that things need to change quickly.
Tagged Alaska Maine, KCMO, STEM, United States