I don't understand how you can embrace Sir Ken Robinson's talk and Common Core. How do you do that? He advocates for going the exact opposite direction from Common Core. He encourages less standardization, and Common Core creates far more. So, please, help us understand.
Todd, there is probably a lot about the CCSS that Sir Ken does not agree with. Where they do intersect, in our minds, is in regards to creativity. The CCSS is in some ways a blueprint. As Grant Wiggins said in regards to the CCSS, and I'm paraphrasing, the blueprint does not stop the designer from creating a beautiful home. The CCSS establishes the standards that need to be met, but it's up to the teacher to develop lessons that allow students the opportunity to think, design, and create a unique, well-developed outcome.
I don't believe the idea of high common standards is the issue, it is the manner that is being implemented and the increased testing that is restricting teacher and student creativity and options, thus having the opposite intended effect. We are not encouraging our teachers or students to take more responsibility for their teaching/learning by creating an environment of distrust, nor is creating an environment of stress conducive to learning much less critical thinking and creativity. This could serve everyone better if educators felt more freedom to choose how they would meet the standards set forth, trusted to do so, and not concerned they would be punished when students struggled. The current method of testing is not an effective method of "checking up" or encouraging higher performance, it includes little to no dialogue and does not encourage innovation or critical thinking on anyone's part. I respectfully disagree that Sir Ken would support the current nature of CCSS but would love to find out from the man himself.
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Sad that this had to follow a post on the monetizing of Common Core.
I don't understand how you can embrace Sir Ken Robinson's talk and Common Core. How do you do that? He advocates for going the exact opposite direction from Common Core. He encourages less standardization, and Common Core creates far more. So, please, help us understand.
Todd, there is probably a lot about the CCSS that Sir Ken does not agree with. Where they do intersect, in our minds, is in regards to creativity. The CCSS is in some ways a blueprint. As Grant Wiggins said in regards to the CCSS, and I'm paraphrasing, the blueprint does not stop the designer from creating a beautiful home. The CCSS establishes the standards that need to be met, but it's up to the teacher to develop lessons that allow students the opportunity to think, design, and create a unique, well-developed outcome.
I don't believe the idea of high common standards is the issue, it is the manner that is being implemented and the increased testing that is restricting teacher and student creativity and options, thus having the opposite intended effect. We are not encouraging our teachers or students to take more responsibility for their teaching/learning by creating an environment of distrust, nor is creating an environment of stress conducive to learning much less critical thinking and creativity. This could serve everyone better if educators felt more freedom to choose how they would meet the standards set forth, trusted to do so, and not concerned they would be punished when students struggled. The current method of testing is not an effective method of "checking up" or encouraging higher performance, it includes little to no dialogue and does not encourage innovation or critical thinking on anyone's part. I respectfully disagree that Sir Ken would support the current nature of CCSS but would love to find out from the man himself.
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