What is education for?

I decided to embed this clip after watching it on one of my first year student's blogs.  I think I will ask the next group the same question, and ask them to blog about it? 

So what do I think about education?

The online dictionary definition that Google offered me, says it is :1. the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, or 2. an enlightening experience. In 2009 Michael Gove said ‘I believe that education is a good in itself – one of the central hallmarks of a civilized society – indeed the means by which societies ensure that everything which is best in our society is passed on to succeeding generations.’

One of the biggest challenges we have as a society is sustainability; in a world so uncertain, so vulnerable, so stimulating, we cannot prepare the young generation with the traditional methods, seated between four walls. Knowledge is key but anything we do is based on who we are. Can we see how a transformed education will impact our society of tomorrow? Or how it might shape different leaders, different priorities for our planet? Or even what form a transformation needs to take.

Student’s say that they want a curriculum, which prepares them for adult life, with clear relevance to their lives in AND outside school.  Schools need to prepare learners for the real world. But what does that mean? Academic knowledge and qualifications are a vital part of it. They are not the whole story.  My eighteen year old son, and many of his friends, have decided not to go to university next year after their A levels.  Striving for good results is still paramount for him, but he then wants to get a real education, in the real world, take a gap year.  He wants to find his way, and make his own discoveries.  I can’t say that I am disappointed, although I concerned about what he will do with this gap year.  All I can say is thank goodness for technology, as I know that technology will help us stay connected, let us share moments, discussions, pictures, thrills and disappointments as the year unfolds and the education evolves.

Embedding Animoto on your blog

I found this link below on a student's blog. I hope you don't mind Alex as it is amazing. I wanted to share it with my readers, but more than that I wondered if anyone knew how you could actually embed the clip on a blog.  This is a near as I got.  You can embed on Facebook, so you must be able to get it on blogger too! Very moving and an excellent combination of tech and pen!

Day of Terror

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Do exams hinder student learning?

Do exams hinder student learning? | General | Times Higher Education

An interesting post above, however the only reason that it has found its way on my blog is I was testing out the share options that are at the button of each post on the Times Higher Education site.  

When you click to share there are the usual options, Twitter, Facebook etc. but there is a more button that reveals...more!

I have hoped for more than a link, but it does fill in the blog post title and includes a working hyperlink.  So it is quite useful for sharing. Thanks for the link Jack!

Safer Interent Day

What did your school or learning establishment do for SaferInternet Day? I have spent an interesting few days marking the assignments of my Foundation Degree Police officers. Most of them were teaching in schools on February 11th, which was National Safer Internet Day. It was really interesting to read what schools did to make an impact on your learners to increase their online safety.