Seeing the forest despite the trees. Our nation’s educational focus continues to zero in on “achievement” as defined by test scores in specific academic areas and the resulting gaps therein. This hyper focus exacerbates our nearly systematic blind eye related to learning for living and cultivating life long learners. As a result, policies that increase the stakes of standardized assessments … Read More
10 Steps to Equity in Education
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which works to “promote the policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world,” published a Policy Briefing titled, “Ten Steps to Equity in Education.” The briefing (which you can read in its entirety here) lays out some of the basic policies necessary for achieving equity in … Read More
The Antimatter Science Rap
The below video by educator/rapper Mike Wilson (aka Coma Niddy) is a perfect “storm” of things we love at QED. Content delivered in creative and engaging ways. MC2 Mastery of knowledge being demonstrated through music. MC2 Positive role model for males, students of color, and fans of hip hop. Oh, and science. Like this one? Check out more of Coma … Read More
The Changing Face of the Teaching Force (Infographic)
Pop quiz: Q: What is the current mode for years of experience in the teaching profession in the US? A: One. In other words, ask all teachers how many years they have been teaching and “one” is answered more often than any other number. The reasons we have come to this are complex (see the below infographic from the work … Read More
Chris Emdin on Hip-hop, Obama Effect & Urban Science Education
Below is a short video of Chris Emdin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University. In it he lays out some of the intersections of urban education, hip hop and the potential impact of President Obama on the black youth of today. These are important considerations to wrestle with as we look … Read More
Before I die I want to . . .
Creating discussions and constructive conversations that lead to transformational learning necessitates we generate experiences that reframe our perspective on our world. Sometimes this can happen in surprising and spontaneous ways that build community. Candy Chang created just such an event in her neighborhood in New Orleans when she painted an abandoned house with chalkboard paint and then stenciled “Before I … Read More
Gaming and Learning . . . Go Hand in Hand?
Emerging research is continuing to unpack some of the pros and cons of “gaming” on students, learning and behavior. For example, a recent study by Iowa State University professors, Dr. Craig Anderson and Dr. Douglas Gentile, found that prosocial games (defined as ones “in which characters help others in nonviolent ways”) can “increase helpful and decrease hurtful behavior.” While another … Read More
The Power of Outrospection
Roman Krznaric’s website describes him as “a cultural thinker and writer.” He speaks on a range of topics including “empathy, the history of love, the future of work, and the art of living.” His 15-minute talk outlining elements of his book, “How to Find Fulfilling Work,” offers this bit of Aristotle wisdom: Where the needs of the world and your talents … Read More
Education: A “Putting People First” Endeavor
What makes an educator an educator? Or, more importantly, where does “effective teaching” begin? Is it with standards, content, and resources? Or with relationships, connections, and shared experiences? Or perhaps some combination thereof? The New York times recently featured a short award winning documentary about Jeffery Wright, a physics teacher in Louisville, KY. The video is moving, not just because … Read More
Unpacking the Basics of Equity in Education
Achieving equitable classrooms, schools, and communities is vitally important, yet much easier said than done. While educators and education leaders may sometimes feel powerless to affect change on a large scale, they do have control over their local environments — classrooms, schools, and districts. It is here where equity work can, and should, begin. Below is a video of Rachel … Read More
