tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689730688583181956.post7465720244421166867..comments2023-07-29T09:38:33.742-05:00Comments on atma business blog: ted's talks and next gen educationatmabushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16308090655131158895noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689730688583181956.post-52261086413296303852010-10-22T16:23:59.159-05:002010-10-22T16:23:59.159-05:00im not too familiar with the IB curriculum, but if...im not too familiar with the IB curriculum, but if it marries math/science with experienced based-education, then I think we are well on our way. I wonder how other countries will adapt and who will take the lead on the education front. I agree our lead in tertiary education is only temporary without fundamental shifts in how we teach. Hopefully there are more Khans out there with noble intentions...atmabushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16308090655131158895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689730688583181956.post-44803718906370117762010-10-20T22:36:23.598-05:002010-10-20T22:36:23.598-05:00What i love about ted is how it is pushing people ...What i love about ted is how it is pushing people to think big but come up with legit solutions. I often listen to ted presentations which are completely unrelated to what I'm working on just to help me thing differently.sagarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1689730688583181956.post-18593122583402689672010-10-20T20:04:10.340-05:002010-10-20T20:04:10.340-05:00TED is a great thing for distribution of content a...TED is a great thing for distribution of content and education and yes it is sort of a bandwagon. While it was a secret now there are TEDs in far off places like Mysore, India! Unfortunately, unless you are famous or part of the Davos circuit, or an exceptional notable than most of us will not be invited. As far as from an education perpsective, it does offer a lot for the general population to learn from and does it in a very high-quality and enjoyable manner. I like Ted and its ability to share information to everyone, but it seems a bit egalitarian. <br /><br />As far as great initiatives in education there will be a critical need to make some changes. I believe the US school system is largely a function of its teacher unions and a function of its property tax system where poor districts will always not have the ability to collect funds to equal the well off suburbs. Of course many of us have probably attended well to do upper middle class suburban public schools (where the tax base can support such schooling), but something has to be said about Americas' schools now where many of them have metal detectors and security is more important than teaching. While all can not be blamed on teachers, I believe parenting involvement is also a large factor in student learning success.<br /><br />It is ironic that the US still (maybe not for long) harbors the best tertiary education system. The university education in the US is still the best. Our primary and secondary schools need to improve, but US was famed for not following the British model of rote and memorization for which countries like India is famous for (memorize and dump). A global trend in developing countries now is to follow the IB (international baccalaureate model)which employs the mid-70s/80s US experiential comprehensive system in grades KG-12) and apply it to experience based participation with low student ratios. <br /><br />Another issue is interest. In many schools or even of our generation, if we look at our own high school classes most of our peers did not have much interest in science and math - the two foundations for technology (and if you connect the dots - future growth of any economy). This has continued to this day. Perhaps learning has to be made more fun. I agree with the experiential teaching models in that learning is driven more by experience and probably the best is to learn theories AND the application (not application alone, and not theory alone). Theory drives creativity but without seeing it in action, one can not easily learn.<br /><br />Now on the contrary education models, look at countries like Australia, Germany, Ireland, and Japan. These countries have a very good vocational system in that their high schools provide two channels - post secondary education or practical education in a specific field. Hence in these highly socialist countries, especially Australia, it makes no sense to actually put a child into a university. I am not sure how long this will last, but in these societies the average person (think cab driver, tradesmen) can earn a lot more because of their schooling and socialism. Look at most Australian firms and most of their management has not been to a university (many are creative). Whether this model will succeed in the long run, I am not sure but that is another topic). <br /><br />One thing we can agree to is change. The Khan concept is great, but we need to have the ability and willingness to change to a model that is easily adaptable and readily scalable. Can the Khan and other concepts reach out to the current generation in schools soon enough?<br /><br />Where will you be sending your kids to school?smaniarnoreply@blogger.com