Skip to main content

Deliberating an alternative to school

How else can learning happen? Here are 10 alternative options to how we design formal learning today:

1. Learning circles with one mentor

2. Home schooling with one teacher

3. Parents as teachers throughout the learning "cycle"

4. Friends circles with no one teacher

5. Self-teaching

6. Pre-programmed learning software

7. Learning by experience

8. Vocational training; one mentor, one skill at a time

9. Visiting the library

10. Conversations with one friend (paired learning)

I am sure some of these options do happen. In thinking about these options, I am curious about the following:

a. How are pupils qualified?

b. Who awards the qualification?

c. Do qualifications need to be standard across many people?

We have reached our current popular version of schooling after some research and thought into pedagogy and rising populations. My contention is that it is never too late to reassess that research and thought. The world and how we communicate is changing fast, and we need to adapt to this rather than simply follow conventional models. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Serving up the fix

Originally published on Vijana FM | 22nd July 2012 On a recent album release by Nas called Life is Good , Anthony Hamilton sings “The world is an addiction / serving up a fix”. The track goes on to discuss the dangers of selling out in pursuit of irrational dreams; indeed, “you gain your life just to lose your soul”. Sometimes I wonder if Tanzania is losing her soul. Perhaps – as time passes – it is me growing more conscious, or media becoming more pervasive to drama. But it seems like this country is chasing grandeur that is alien to her history and at odds with what she needs today. Her history and her needs; what do these mean? For the purpose of this post, I am pointing to Tanzania’s historical pursuit to be an independent nation-state, free of international dues and reliance on help. I am also referring to her current state of affairs, mainly consisting of an inefficient system of education coupled with an unbalanced system of trade. There are a few example...
Post a Comment
Read more

Less is better than more

When designing communication systems - or any system for that matter - it seems better to start with less rather than more. Adding more than what is seen as a basic requirement risks overestimating the value of what is actually needed. It also seems easier to build on something based on new needs, rather than taking out stuff that is never used (humans seems to like hoarding). 
Post a Comment
Read more

David Cameron's speech on multiculturalism

From Number10.gov.uk Saturday 5 February 2011 PM’s speech at Munich Security Conference Prime Minister David Cameron has delivered a speech setting out his view on radicalisation and Islamic extremism. Today I want to focus my remarks on terrorism, but first let me address one point. Some have suggested that by holding a strategic defence and security review, Britain is somehow retreating from an activist role in the world. That is the opposite of the truth. Yes, we are dealing with our budget deficit, but we are also making sure our defences are strong. Britain will continue to meet the NATO 2% target for defence spending. We will still have the fourth largest military defence budget in the world. At the same time, we are putting that money to better use, focusing on conflict prevention and building a much more flexible army. That is not retreat; it is hard headed. Every decision we take has three aims in mind. First, to continue to support the NATO mission in Afghanistan . S...
Post a Comment
Read more