Week Four: Can schools make a difference?

Reflect on:

·         your own schooling. Did you go to a "good" school?

I attended a single sex religious school ran by Italian nuns.   I should say it was totally completely progressive for an emerging country.

·         What "residuals" did you take away from your schooling, and how has it helped you subsequently.

 A great lot!  To begin with two foreign languages: I teach English for living while Italian has been usuful when in Italy.  I am quite organised, love clenliness, Italian food is just delicious, knitting - still find the time to knit the odd sweater & love decorating my house.

School Missons and Values Padlet Wall

The children of the Anglo-Italian School are the leaders of tomorrow. We believe, as did Dr. Maria Montessori, that “the child moves him or herself toward learning when given the necessary support.” To properly channel this movement, the child must have independence achieved through order and discipline. The child will then be able to function as a responsible, productive citizen in a complex, technical, and democratic society.The school environment emphasizes high morale character, intercultural harmony and superior academic achievement, working with both parents and the community. Our aim is to provide the educational foundations for good citizens who cultivate a lifelong desire and appreciation for learning.

I read an interesting article based on Sugata Mitra, 2013 TED Prize winner called: SCHOOL IN THE CLOUD, 

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Sugata´s main ide

a of education is to gather rich and poor children from all over the world: "engage them, connect with information and mentoring online".  Children from far away places will benefit by learning what they cannot get locally due to the fact of lack of schools (earthquakes or others), lack of teachers, lack of books, and parents who think a child will be more productive working at home or on their farms.  A click away will quench the thirs for learning and it will provide a learning tool which will last for life.  It must not be forgotten that every single child has the right to proper healthcare and EDUCATION.  The UNESCO International Literacy Day is celebrated 8th September.  http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/literacy-day/

Join a Google Hangout 

Done

Create an entry in your reflective blog or journal. 

·         How has your experience of school shaped you as a learner, and as an adult?

·         In what ways do you think your own schooling could have been improved, and what priorities do you think are the most important for schools today?

·         Your entry should be a minimum of 200 words.

La Mia Scuola

I had a unique experience as a school learner where I enriched my “cultural capital” which was Italian and Peruvian.  I attended a progressive private school ran by Italian nuns, having a number of excellent teachers and a few with little knowledge of pedagogy.  It means some subjects where easily presented and easily grasped while others needed extra tutorials, ie math.  I dully learnt all basic principles, moral values and the stuff suggested by the local Ministry of Education.  In the end, my school was “effective” as quoted by Dr. Jane Perryman.  The great benefit was that my school shaped me as a long life learner.

My school could have been better if they improved the selection of teachers.  There were some who definitely did not know much about teaching and learning, kindness and understanding children in general.  They tend to lose their temper while “funny students” were asked to leave the classroom and/or go the Principal’s office.  There is a second kind of regret.  All language teachers seemed to know their mother tongue well but had little or none teaching qualifications.  They had good intuition but tend to be quite Behaviorists.

Personally, I think the most important priority for schools today is to get learners ready to face the real world no matter their sex, religion or social class. They should hire qualified and committed teachers (not being the case in emerging countries).  They must be subject to inspection – not just getting the paper work done before an inspector is about to call but to get better, measure the learners’ progress and study shortcomings to avoid these in the nearest future. 

Unfortunately, Malala Yousafzai - a brave Pakistani student who fought for the right of learning, reported last September “31 Million Girls Were Kept Out Of Classrooms” https://twitter.com/MalalaFund/status/510416493461635072 .   Unbelievable denial especially when UNESCO celebrates the International Literacy Day on the 8th September.

To end a touching quote:

“Literacy is a key lever of change and a practical tool of empowerment on each of the three main pillars of sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection”

                                                              Former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan