This is a beautifully written, inspiring call to action. I was not surprised to read your Bio of a life of adventurous learning! I also resonated with your piece about neurodiversity. I would love you to share your expanded thinking on this in an article. It is a big topic with opposing camps! I am asking a big question for both personal learning and in studying a Master of Education:
How Might We Leverage Neurodiversity as a Positive Source of Creative Diversity?
My focus is on our youngest learners 5-11 year olds as this is where we need to ‘leverage’ as kids are not tainted by labels, fixed interventions or fixed ideas of creativity - although this is happening earlier and earlier… thoughts?
Katie, thank you for your encouragement; it is water for my soul.
I have spent time working at 5-11 years and absolutely loved that level of education. While my experience was non-standard, owing to my ability to create much of the curricula for the school, I found there to be far more flexibility because grading does not carry the same weight in assessment. Montessori and Reggio Emilia models (for example) have done great work to advance student agency and self-expression, but this approach quickly evaporates under the heat of university admissions and standardised curricula. In this context, I believe that educational evolution will be driven from the bottom up.
I have many thoughts concerning your question. I will add it to my queue of drafts and let you know when I publish (perhaps in Feb.).
It has long frustrated me that schools have changed very little over many years. Changes are tentative and often build on the back of old broken systems. Students are going through the motions, playing the game to get that certificate. I hope that these sorts of fabulous ideas become reality, and if nothing else they get better seating!
It really resonated. The same notions have been banging around my head for the last year. The only outlet I have is my blog (Flourish & Survive) but have dreams of founding a ‘school’.
Thank you, Pete. It’s wonderful to hear that the ideas that have been banging around in my head connect with others. Your words give me energy to write. Thank you.
This is a beautifully written, inspiring call to action. I was not surprised to read your Bio of a life of adventurous learning! I also resonated with your piece about neurodiversity. I would love you to share your expanded thinking on this in an article. It is a big topic with opposing camps! I am asking a big question for both personal learning and in studying a Master of Education:
How Might We Leverage Neurodiversity as a Positive Source of Creative Diversity?
My focus is on our youngest learners 5-11 year olds as this is where we need to ‘leverage’ as kids are not tainted by labels, fixed interventions or fixed ideas of creativity - although this is happening earlier and earlier… thoughts?
Love it! Thank you 😊I look forward to your deep thinking on this away from academia
Katie, thank you for your encouragement; it is water for my soul.
I have spent time working at 5-11 years and absolutely loved that level of education. While my experience was non-standard, owing to my ability to create much of the curricula for the school, I found there to be far more flexibility because grading does not carry the same weight in assessment. Montessori and Reggio Emilia models (for example) have done great work to advance student agency and self-expression, but this approach quickly evaporates under the heat of university admissions and standardised curricula. In this context, I believe that educational evolution will be driven from the bottom up.
I have many thoughts concerning your question. I will add it to my queue of drafts and let you know when I publish (perhaps in Feb.).
It has long frustrated me that schools have changed very little over many years. Changes are tentative and often build on the back of old broken systems. Students are going through the motions, playing the game to get that certificate. I hope that these sorts of fabulous ideas become reality, and if nothing else they get better seating!
This is the best piece I have read in a very long time. Comprehensive, provocative, essential. The paragraph on neurodiversity particularly resonates.
I think I’ll revisiting this piece.
Have a great day,
Pete
It really resonated. The same notions have been banging around my head for the last year. The only outlet I have is my blog (Flourish & Survive) but have dreams of founding a ‘school’.
Thank you, Pete. It’s wonderful to hear that the ideas that have been banging around in my head connect with others. Your words give me energy to write. Thank you.