Reinventing Education

EP 84 : Homework in Mainstream Schools

There are few more controversial issues in schooling than that of homework. Should it exist? How much is enough? Does it support progress or extinguish a love of learning?

Tonight we dig into the pros and cons of the way the mainstream school system approaches homework.

In this episode we reference the paper "Does High School Homework Increase
Academic Achievement?" by Charlene Marie Kalenkoski & Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia,  and the article "Key Lessons: What Research Says About the Value of Homework" from the Reading Rockets site. We also mention Alfie Kohn and his classic educational text, "The Homework Myth".

Join us! And feel free to add your own voice to the conversation at reinventingeducationpodcast@gmail.com 

EP 83 : Ten Words : A Christmas Special! (Sort of) - Defining the Three Types of School with Miriam Binder-Lang & Dwayne Primeau

Merry New Years & Winter Celebrations!

We decided it would be a fun way to end the year to invite our friends Miriam (who is an integral coach) and Dwayne (an elementary school principal) along as we try to define the three types of school -Traditional, Mainstream and Progressive - in only ten words.

Take a listen and see if you think we get close...and play along yourself if you like. We'd love to hear your ten!

As always, get in touch at reinventingeducationpodcast@gmail.com

For more on Miriam's coaching: http://miriamthecoach.com/

 

EP 82 : Play Responsive Learning with Mark White

The notion of learning as a joyous act with play at its centre has both its champions and detractors. We talked to early years educator Mark White about the benefits of integrating play into the classroom and the importance of educators being able to facilitate and nurture play.

Mark is a highly experienced inquiry educator with a specialism in loose parts play and play responsive learning. Join Rob and Brendan as they dig into notions of agency, safety, reflection and experience in this fascinating, and often controversial, area of education.

Get in touch at reinventingeducationpodcast@gmail.com

EP 81 : Differentiation in Mainstream Schools

Transparency, goal setting and opportunity lie at the heart of the mainstream approach to education. Fundamental to success in all of these areas is the notion of differentiation.

The responsibility of a mainstream teacher is to find what works for maximum achievement. Somewhat like a coach creating an athletic training plan.

Mainstream schools use assessment based diagnostics to establish their next steps and aim to provide support for students of all levels and needs. Content, process or product may be differentiated for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in terms of student achievement in relation to curriculum standards. 

As with everything, this concept carries positives ("babies") and drawbacks ("bathwater").

Join us as we navigate this tricky path. And as always, get in touch at reinventingeducationpodcast@gmail.com

 

 

 

EP 80 : Life in the Forest. The Role of Choice in School. Brendan & Rob with Malcolm Giles.

This evening Rob, Brendan and Malcolm dig into their classroom practices and consider the role of the teacher in the context of student choice, freedom and agency. Join us! 

Ep 79 Instructional Models in Mainstream Schools

A lesson is a lesson is a lesson right? Well in a mainstream school what happens in those 45 (or 30, or 60) minutes can look very different from a traditional or a progressive lesson.

In a mainstream "3 Part Lesson" we may find differentiated instruction, transparent objectives, diagnostic assessments, and even the odd spot of "edutainment" (for better or worse). 

Join us as we discuss the "babies & bathwaters" of the mainstream school's approach to instruction!

 

 

EP 78 Effective Classroom Layouts In Mainstream Schools

Maximizing the impact of the learning space on student achievement is what highly effective Mainstream teachers do. In this episode, we analyze how this is done via seating arrangements, use of walls & anchor charts, maker spaces and utilizing (and fundraising for) furniture. 

EP77 Reinventing Education 101 Spiral Dynamics Integral Live Presentation

What's the most useful framework for engaging with school development?

Rob Macleod attempted to lay out the basic framework of the Reinventing Education Podcast earlier this year during his online presentation with Spiral Dynamics Integral Live. Check out their Facebook & Youtube pages for engaging & potent content on a wide variety of topics from education to LGBTQ equality in the workplace to self-organizing transit. 

EP 76 : Connecting Communities with Mihai Banelescu

Tonight we are joined by educator and community connector Mihai Banelescu, of the One Room, One World Schoolhouse project. We discuss how to connect people with developmentally minded yet diverse perspectives to build the schools of the future. Join us!

EP 75 : Classroom Ethos in Mainstream Schools

The ethos or spirit of a mainstream classroom has wide-ranging implications on every aspect of a child's life.

At its best, the mainstream school sees the class as a group of high achieving individuals supporting each other as a team. It's a place that is fair and acknowledges that fair looks different for each of us. There is an emphasis on personal motivation and trust is gained through transparency.

However, an over-emphasis on competitiveness might erode those social connections leading to isolation and a loss of a sense of community.

Today we look into the "babies and bathwaters" of classroom ethos in a mainstream school. Join us and let's keep the conversation going!