A mercifully short post for you here!
Im starting to think that, not since historical times past, have we had such a patchwork of opportunity across this so called 'United' Kingdom; Im also starting to think that the whole idea of a Coalition Government has nothing to do with 'Co' at all - oh apart from putting people like Danny Alexander and Vince Cable in the firing line as 'brotherly' protection.
So, as I recently found out from many a depleted Youth Service around the UK, the current public sector cuts are so deep and far reaching for staff, students and communities that it will actually take some time yet for the ramifications to be really felt, nationally.
Its depressing to think that we are still in the 'calm' - before the 'storm' really hits.
This Government is dividing to conqueor, up to its neck in a fight to restore a political ideology at the expense of what is best for the UK as a whole - whoever shouts the loudest (and has the greatest 'amplification' ) , applies the most pressure and can unify like-minded groups and individuals really can influence what is becoming a rather unpopular 'beast' - we have seen this recently with the NHS - let us hope that the educationalists out there (and you are certainly all talking a good fight) are equally successful.
If we fail in this battle, we will surely be left with a wasteland of patchwork opportunities and vast cohorts of young people feeling disenfranchised and worthless.
Is this the sort of nation we are becoming again?
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Wednesday 20 April 2011
No Excuse for Absence of Soft Skills
Time and time again research with Employers in the UK points to the shortfall in, to what is commonly referred to, as 'soft skills' .
Basically, we're talking about inter-personal skills; emotional intelligence and communication skills . Skills which, until now, have been rarely assessed within the school environment.
I was exploring this very question of why this shortfall exists in the UK recently - with some teachers and employers - when we hit upon the insane idea that there are so many great resources informing us about 'soft skills' , that we may be able to signpost our way to the solution? I know, I said it was insane; rich media resources being used to share experience and knowledge in education - tackling non academic learning issues? !
How can new cohorts of school and college leavers NOT have the sufficient 'soft skills' for their future employers in an online world?
Something is clearly wrong somewhere. Over at http://www.careersbox.co.uk/ is a FREE modular Interview Technique film which tackles, amongst other topics, 'soft skills'. This resource, LEVEL7, is free to view online 24/7. This resource, won a medal at the MEDEA2010 Awards, hosted by the Education Secretariat in Brussles - with the judging panel urging ALL young people across Europe to view and learn - especially in a recessionary climate.
Alongside the work of Careersbox are a bunch of equally keen and talented media producers of resources for education that really can make a difference to the choices of young people - if given the opportunity. And perhaps this is where we encounter part of the problem - I believe there are thousands of fab teachers out there, they just need more time and support to be more effective. I am suspecting that there may be a number of issues that prevent this - and the teachers among you will know what barriers you face each day personally. But, given the fact that the resources needed to up-'soft-skill' young people are in the public domain and freely available, what is stopping schools from ensuring this badly needed process actually happens?
If there are any other reasons beyond lack of time, ignorance of the said resources or lack of technology in the classroom, I (and thousands of employers and parents) would love to know!
Basically, we're talking about inter-personal skills; emotional intelligence and communication skills . Skills which, until now, have been rarely assessed within the school environment.
I was exploring this very question of why this shortfall exists in the UK recently - with some teachers and employers - when we hit upon the insane idea that there are so many great resources informing us about 'soft skills' , that we may be able to signpost our way to the solution? I know, I said it was insane; rich media resources being used to share experience and knowledge in education - tackling non academic learning issues? !
How can new cohorts of school and college leavers NOT have the sufficient 'soft skills' for their future employers in an online world?
Something is clearly wrong somewhere. Over at http://www.careersbox.co.uk/ is a FREE modular Interview Technique film which tackles, amongst other topics, 'soft skills'. This resource, LEVEL7, is free to view online 24/7. This resource, won a medal at the MEDEA2010 Awards, hosted by the Education Secretariat in Brussles - with the judging panel urging ALL young people across Europe to view and learn - especially in a recessionary climate.
Alongside the work of Careersbox are a bunch of equally keen and talented media producers of resources for education that really can make a difference to the choices of young people - if given the opportunity. And perhaps this is where we encounter part of the problem - I believe there are thousands of fab teachers out there, they just need more time and support to be more effective. I am suspecting that there may be a number of issues that prevent this - and the teachers among you will know what barriers you face each day personally. But, given the fact that the resources needed to up-'soft-skill' young people are in the public domain and freely available, what is stopping schools from ensuring this badly needed process actually happens?
If there are any other reasons beyond lack of time, ignorance of the said resources or lack of technology in the classroom, I (and thousands of employers and parents) would love to know!
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Flip or Blended?
Something has been playing on my mind about the exciting theories abounding education at the moment - 'flip' theory, Khan Academy approach, 'blended' learning etc...
First of all, I should confess that im slowly being converted (i suspect ) toward a 'flip' approach with a sprinkling of 'blended' ;-) Now that i've declared that I'll continue!
I see and read so many intelligent comments about the future purpose of education - check out the work of purposed - if you haven't already (conference coming soon in Sheffield) - all striving to re-evaluate where we are as a nation in the process of developing the right kind of educational and learning approach for learners.
Much of this thinking, to be fair, has been done before. But I see a big opportunity, now, with a weak government - a chance to really influence for a change that could be far-reaching.
Back to the problem im thinking about - and that is, quite simply, there appears to be a solution to the current inadequacies in opportunity within education, and as usual, it just requires a financial committment from Government.
Technology in the classroom, or not? E-portfolio for individual learning strategies? At the end of the day, there are many great free tools out there that can aid learning - can they change learning patterns ? Yes. Can they change attitudes to learning? I doubt that.
When it comes to the rub, ALL students and learners would benefit from this 1, single, change:
A committment to SMALLER class sizes.
Whether this is achieved through harnessing technology in a different way may remain the question and be debated for eternity, such is the passion of both sides of this particular argument.
But having digested the theory, Im left wondering about the practical solutions - do we not just need an investment committment that results in smaller class sizes, supported by well qualified and motivated teaching staff?
First of all, I should confess that im slowly being converted (i suspect ) toward a 'flip' approach with a sprinkling of 'blended' ;-) Now that i've declared that I'll continue!
I see and read so many intelligent comments about the future purpose of education - check out the work of purposed - if you haven't already (conference coming soon in Sheffield) - all striving to re-evaluate where we are as a nation in the process of developing the right kind of educational and learning approach for learners.
Much of this thinking, to be fair, has been done before. But I see a big opportunity, now, with a weak government - a chance to really influence for a change that could be far-reaching.
Back to the problem im thinking about - and that is, quite simply, there appears to be a solution to the current inadequacies in opportunity within education, and as usual, it just requires a financial committment from Government.
Technology in the classroom, or not? E-portfolio for individual learning strategies? At the end of the day, there are many great free tools out there that can aid learning - can they change learning patterns ? Yes. Can they change attitudes to learning? I doubt that.
When it comes to the rub, ALL students and learners would benefit from this 1, single, change:
A committment to SMALLER class sizes.
Whether this is achieved through harnessing technology in a different way may remain the question and be debated for eternity, such is the passion of both sides of this particular argument.
But having digested the theory, Im left wondering about the practical solutions - do we not just need an investment committment that results in smaller class sizes, supported by well qualified and motivated teaching staff?
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