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?
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