Comments on: Advocating for educational deregulation!

By: Moving at the Speed of Creativity » Blog Archive » Standards and Accountability are not the answer

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 05:19:04 +0000

[...] My posts from July 11th and August 16th advocating for “educational deregulation” touch on these issues, as does my podcast from December 31st. If you read many entries in my blog or listen to my podcast, you know I am a vocal advocate for digital literacy– I share much of the passion and endgame desires of both Doug Johnson and Don Knezek. My differences with both of them, however, are based primarily on MEANS rather than ENDS. [...]

By: Wesley Fryer

Wesley Fryer — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 21:39:18 +0000

I think so much of the stress and challenge of teaching in public schools today comes down to issues of time and curriculum. The farther we go in this “information age,” the more apparent it will become to all stakeholders that teachers simply can’t teach it all– with or without “quality.” We have got to let go of a lot of our curriculum that we are mercilessly trying to force-feed down the throats of students, and provide the TIME that is required for authentic, critical thinking. As John Holt noted in “Why Children Fail” back in the 1950s, generally students and teachers are too time-pressured during classtime for anyone to do any sincere critical thinking. We need inventive, creative thinkers in this brave new network economy, and I do not think our public school systems in general are adequately preparing students for their futures.

By: 2 Cents Worth » Blog Archive » Wesley Fryer, “Advocating for Educational Deregulation!”

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 12:35:56 +0000

[...] Wesley Fryer (a Texas educator you should keep your eyes on) wrote a powerful blog entry several days ago. He is Advocating for Educational Deregulation!. Fryer discusses the primary text of his current (and final) course in his doctoral program. The text is Integrating Multiple Literacies in K-8 Classrooms, and he addresses the chapter, Toward a Theoretical Framework of New Literacies on Internet: Central Principles (authored by Donald Leu and Charles Kinzer). Wesley paraphrases… …the definition of literacy is dynamic, and in order to remain relevant, educators at all levels must begin (or continue) to study, understand, and utilize the wide variety of multimedia as well as text-based communicative mediums available inside and outside the classroom to help students become successful 21st century communicators and netizens. [...]

By: David Warlick

David Warlick — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 12:05:11 +0000

Very well said. I often refer to good teachers as artisans. They are creatively crafting students who will not only be productive in their adult lives, but productive with style.

We’ve spent to much time and effort forcing teachers to work harder. We need to empower teachers to work better. Good educators know what their job is. They have standards, vision, and dedication. Empowered with the resources and time (that’s a big one) to succeed by their standards will produce citizens ready to not only adapt to a time of rapid change, but leverage change to make a better time and place.

2¢ worth.