the future(s) of education project presentation for the un nov 2008
DESCRIPTION
First draft for a presentation at the UN/other large international groups in NYC NovemberTRANSCRIPT
Overview Nov 2008
Education as we know it, with classrooms, rows of desks and teacher/curriculum driven choices developed with the industrial revolution It was perfect when we needed to help unruly farm
kids, newly arrived with their families in cities, prepare for work in factories with hierarchical decision making
The Future(s) project asks, “How do we redesign this basic model for the world our children today will inherit?”
Global awareness Self directed learning/team cooperation Individual leadership/open source development Networked learning on a global scale Internet/mobile technologies for almost instant
international communication Creativity in the face of adaptive challenge
Reasoning that: Cultures differ Constraints on access to technology differ Relative wealth/poverty/amount of resources differ Outlooks on the important values in life differ
Therefore the designs implemented need to address the new considerations yet be flexible to these differences
Only people living in the context can understand the subtle forces in place
Using the power of the social web to network both “experts” and participatory groups together. Participatory groups have access to current
understanding of the issues, help obtaining funding to implement ideas and support
Network members have access to diverse local thinking to enlarge their understanding of the constraints on education in a global context
Participatory Action Research (PAR) is a process through which teams of people discover, take action,measure the results of their actions and reflect on their progress towards a common goal.
It has proven itself as a way andmeans through which participatory teams can solvelocal complex issues while providing input to national andinternational leaders(James, Milenkiewicz, & Bucknam, 2008)
Time Action
July 2008 Project design implementation begins/ first network participants are invited and express interest
August 2008 University educators express interest, first local team leaders for participatory sites are recruited
September 2008 Website is built
October 2008 First grant is written to support: an initial think tank meeting and technical assistance for participatory sites
November 2008 Meetings begin with large international groups to discuss the project and encourage networking and participation
Time Development
December 2008 Potential site leaders are contacted
January-March 2009
First participatory local team meetings begin – training as to how to use website/social platforms for discussion and interaction begin
April-June 2009 Fundraising efforts continue as sites meet, discuss and report back on initial ideas and understandingsFirst challenges are overcomeFirst funds are received
July-September 2009
All ongoing efforts continueFirst participatory site design plans solidifyTechnical assistance begins to work with local education agencies and corporate sponsors to fund pilot efforts
October-December 2009
Efforts on all fronts continueThe project begins to be known on a broader scale
2010 Implementation begins of pilot designs for the Future of Education
Broadcast this opportunity Join the network yourself and participate
Make suggestions Add to our body of knowledge and ideas
Start a participatory team in your area Connect us to people you know who are
interested in education Connect us to people who have funds
New designs for education emerge and are tested
Increased input from students and communities in educational designs
Increased understanding of the ways and means web based tools affect these designs
International growth towards a new paradigm for education
Fun & interesting interactions with others
The role of the leader is changing. The new role is to help people face reality and to mobilize them to make change. Exercising leadership generates resistance -- and pain. People are afraid that they will lose something that's worthwhile. They're afraid that they're going to have to give up something that they're comfortable with.
(Heifetz , 1999)
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
www.futureofeducationproject.net [email protected] 353-21-470-6990