Archives for Learning Futures

Regressive Education and the Lessons from Singapore

I see that the UK Secretary of State for Education has been having another pop at what he terms ‘progressive’ education this week. Responding to claims that children born in the late 50s achieved better social mobility as a result of grammar schools, Michael Gove (correctly, in my view) said that selective education wasn’t a magic bullet to achieving social equality. So far, so good. But then he cited the influence of ‘progressive education’ and the move away from traditional subjects, rigorously taught, as a more relevant factor. So, in one breathtaking false causation, he manages to put himself on the side …

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What’s Good For The Goose…

No, this is not a seasonal reference (Happy Christmas, by the way). So, here’s how I spent my Christmas:  writing a  pamphlet, marking the end of the Development and Research phase of Learning Futures (coming to a download near you in February). Sad, I know, but it was either that, or watch Australian TV re-run BBC’s Christmas of 2010 (didn’t like it first time around). Trying to make sense of an intense, innovative and (sometimes) radical journey has been challenging, but I had a bit of an epiphany yesterday. And, since it was replayed today, I thought I’d share it …

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An End To Homework!

This week I worked with some terrific students at the Oasis Academy in Enfield. We were working with them on the Learning Futures Engagement Diagnostic, which we’ll be making available to schools  next year. The purpose of the process is to gauge the level of student (and school) engagement. The school’s head teacher, Paul Hammond, was clearly pleased to hear that his students were highly engaged and clearly motivated about their learning, and there’s a great relationship evident between teachers and students. However, one, somewhat surprising, response was their attitude to homework – these students didn’t seem to mind getting …

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