Thoughts and Methods about Education

The world is changing and education is changing as well. Sir Kenneth Robinson, a very famous English advisor on education, explains effectively what is going on in the world, particularly in the field of education:

There is another important documentary (The Forbidden Education) which explains what is wrong with the traditional school and why. Here you can watch it and understand its point of view:

• Here is the link for another article which reflects on teaching methods and way of learning: http://fuoriaula.weebly.com/fuoriaula-blog/la-videolezione 

• Here is a slideshare which reflects on the use of technology in the teaching/learning process: http://www.slideshare.net/gmarconato/cosa-rester-delle-tecnologie-nella-didattica

In this complex background the attention focus shifts from the concept of knowledge to the one of competence in a life long learning perspective:

Is teaching based on competences that new? No, it isn't! Many educators, educationalists and  philosophers of the past claimed the importance of developing competences. I have chosen five of them who are still very modern and inspiring such as:

• Socrate
• Jean Jacques Rousseau, 
• Maria Montessori 
• John Dewey
• Edgar Morin

They were all ahead of their time.  

I think that a Blended System based on the Flipped Classroom, which is learner-centered  and competence based, one which combines different approaches according to the class needs, is the best way to choose for us as teachers. A blended system based on the flipped classroom which combines different methods and tools such as 

• tbl (task based learning), 
• esl (episodes of situated learning or eas in Italian), 
• pbl (project based learning), 
• cooperative learning 
• CLIL
• webquests
• digital storytelling
• coding
• eTwinning projects 
• Learning Platforms 

Life Long Learning

How can you learn all the above methods and tools? Here is a mind map with all the information you need:

 

The digital competence

The eight key competences are all important, but I am going to focus on the digital one. The digital competence is central  because it is part of our students' everyday life and hobbies. Rousseau underlines, while teaching, the importance of knowing the students besides the subject itself. Nowadays "knowing the students" means "knowing their main interest" which is technology. So we as teachers can make a virtue of necessity, but at the same time technology must be at the service of education, not the opposite. That is why I think that the "Padagogy Wheel V3.0" based on Bloom's taxonomy and Puentedura SAMR model is very interesting and essential, especially when we want to teach using technology:

                              Bloom's Taxonomy in the Flipped Classroom

As far as this matter is concerned I have found  another interesting chart on the following link Teachthought: technology difference-technology-use-integration

Now I think it is clear enough how and why a teacher should use technology.  John Dewey said: "If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow." I also think that the general rule must be as Woody Allen's film title goes "Whatever Works". Last but not least don't forget that the most powerful multimedia object is still the book! Novels, poems, plays, essays are still very powerful tools! The pleasure of the text is still amazing!

Finally, to conclude, we are witnessing a great change, but we must keep our eyes on the stars and our feet on the ground! I think the following video represents in a funny way Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote "keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground":

Coming soon... 

Last but not least: Outdoor Education...