Stuck at the train crossing again..
Month: February 2011
Project365 #52 – Billy Boy
This is what a nice long walk in the woods does to Billy Boy….he has collapsed in his chair….
Project365 #51
Me showing off my reward for running the Sleaford half-marathon – a t-shirt.
What is the purpose of education?
I am a secondary teacher. But let me just start by stating what sort of teacher I am. I am interested in the whole debate around education, where it is going, what needs changing, etc. But more importantly I am more interested in what goes on in my classroom. Sorry James, but I’m probably one of those teachers who do what I’m asked to do, even if I don’t quite agree with what is being asked (in the whole big educational issue agenda).
What is the purpose of education? The simple answer (or not so simple, depending how you look at it) is that it’s purpose is a whole range of things: learning, attainment, socialisation, development, creativity….the list is endless. I’d agree with Tom Barrett, I don’t have a clear idea of the purpose of education either.
Firstly, in my class I hope to teach students new things. I’m sure that is not an unusual answer from a teacher. Yes, I’m an English teacher and I want my students to understand punctuation and sentence structure, but also I want my students to develop as young people, to have a greater understanding of the world outside of the classroom. And to do this we have to challenge students, we need to push them, and we need to support them.
I would argue that education is about developing students’ confidence as much as their academic knowledge. It’s about motivating students and asking them to explore for themselves. You only need to spend the evening on #ukedchat to hear teachers discuss the real issues to understand that the purpose of education is educate ‘to develop the faculties and powers of a person’.
When it comes to the bigger picture. I would love to have the free range to teach what I like how I like and sod the curriculum, but that would be a foolhardy thing to do. I put my trust in educators and politicians that what they come up with is good for children we teach.
We as teachers know there are problems, but the problem is then how to address these problems….quiet chat to the head?…..meeting with the governors?…..letter to the PA?….take to the streets?…..write to your MP?….
I’d love to help….but just don’t see how….
purpos/ed
Project365 #50
It sits like a spaceship filled with evils visitors from another world – in reality it is the new Tesco store responsible for me wasting hours of my life sitting in traffic.
It is due to open Monday morning at 8am, although the roadworks seem a long way off completion.
Reading, summer festivals and running….
A couple of books that need ticking off the list…
I’m glad I’ve read it, after all the good reviews I’d heard, although i was slightly disappointed. The first half of the book was great, and then I couldn’t help thinking that I wanted more to happen….
Just started reading ‘Once a Runner’ by John Parker.
Having just started the half-term holiday I’m starting to think of the summer and possible festivals to attend, the list of possibilities go something like this:
Also, on the music front, a few people that we need to get round to see at some stage: The Tallest Man on Earth (gig in London in May – but it is a school night??), Frank Turner, Johnny Flynn, Billy Bragg and Laura Marling….better start saving up!
Finally, on the running front:
- Sleaford half-marathon on Sunday morning (Kath will be joining me).
- Nene Valley 10 – a ten-miler next Sunday.
- The last Frostbite League race early March?
So plenty going on at the mo!
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