This post is a list of resources for friends interested in learning more about education in general and in the US. It's of particular interest to me and friends because we are parents with young children in school. I put this resource together to share information.
I want to mention that a lot of these talks, while filled with good data and information, also have opinion in them. Listen/watch carefully, a lot of these guys are expert researchers and they choose their words carefully. They will tell you when they are speaking their opinion. It's all well and good to agree with somebody because we like to hear it, however it's another thing to act on what we like rather than what actually works. Nothing is perfect and all of these guys have tested and continue to test and work towards a better tomorrow. I don't take offense when people challenge my personal beliefs and neither should you. I post this information because I think it's important to take action. Don't let your emotions get in the way of learning and doing what's right for our children, neighbors, and society.
Alright, so here are some videos that I've watched over the past couple years. I'll write a very brief description for each link.
(Note: It's difficult to start out with everything I've ever watched so here's some stuff to get started. I will update occasionally when I have time to "mine" the content again.)
List of Ted Talks:
- Sugata Mitra: Build a School in the Cloud (22mins) I liked Mitra's video so much that I found he had 2 other videos on TED. I also went online finding whatever I could.
http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_build_a_school_in_the_cloud.html
- Ken Robinson: Changing education paradigms, Short RSA (11 mins) Great video only part of an hour talk. But it's illustrated so easier to watch and the content is pretty good. http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html
- Sugata Mitra: The child-driven education (17mins)
http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html
- Andreas Schleicher: Use data to build better schools (19 mins)
http://www.ted.com/talks/andreas_schleicher_use_data_to_build_better_schools.html
- Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindset (19 mins) Only a little about education, mostly about how the world is actually a lot different than many people think. I like Rosling, this video is older but I've searched out and watched the rest of his videos. You should too.
http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_at_state.html
Documentary Movie:
- Waiting for Superman: Please watch this! I saw it on Netflix, hopefully it's still there. It helped me to understand the dilemma with supporting our beloved teachers and why there were so many local laws trying to be passed to alter the government relationships with teachers.
