EDUC 701 - Reflections of Chapters 4-6, The Flat World and Education (Linda Darling-Hammond)
I found it both interesting and discouraging reading about the issues in California. As a child, I remember hearing a lot about Proposition 13 and didn’t really understand the issue but it wasn’t long before I began to notice the effects of reduced funding. I also remember the class size reduction in the 90s and hearing stories of teachers trying to teach classes in a multi-use room, hallways, libraries, etc. - definitely not ideal conditions for either the students or the teacher. I think most unfortunate was the fact that districts were left scrambling at the last minute and having to hire unqualified teachers and students suffered as a result. I am glad the reading ended on a positive note with Chapter 6. It’s encouraging that other nations have been successful in education reform. It’s interesting to me that Korea takes the whole child into account in the curriculum development phases. It makes sense that considerations be made in furthering the development of the mind and body as well as a strong sense of self-identity as well as the focus on developing problem solving skills to use in daily life, using critical and creative thinking and the ability to express one’s own ideas and feelings and developing the skills and knowledge for engaging with a diverse world while respecting neighbors and other countries.
4 Comments
Dana Hand
6/20/2016 05:54:21 pm
I also found these chapters strangely hopeful. It is encouraging that we have other countries to use as models. The focus on inquiry and critical thinking in these countries made me see that Napa Unified's focus on these higher order skills has us on the right track. I think many teachers see inquiry (and PBL in general) as just another pendulum swing and not necessarily fostering student learning.
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Brendan Galvin
6/20/2016 08:18:26 pm
I also found the section outlining the failings of California discouraging. I think that you pointed out a fantastic approach used in Korea, that perhaps we all should try to address across the board in our own classes, which is educating the whole child in a holistic fashion.
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6/21/2016 06:22:35 pm
I agree that we see the problems with underfunding in California, and I hope that we can learn from our mistakes. I wonder about the systems in the other 3 countries working for us because we are not a homogenous culture. We are so diverse and we need to value that as well. I like that North Carolina and Connecticut showed how to focus resources for gains in student achievement.
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Autumn Duarte
7/25/2016 11:20:12 pm
I also enjoyed reading about the education systems in other countries. I often see articles pop up on my Facebook page about successful education systems in countries like Finland, and it makes me wonder why we as a country do not implement some of those practices-- especially those evidence-based practices, or like the whole-child schooling mentioned in chapter 6.
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