THE CHALLENGE
The current Western educational model privileges linearity, preservation, and uniformity. The unsustainable values that this model perpetuates are now globally pervasive. From this design, practices emerge like standardized testing that promotes norming, a lack of creativity and adaptability, and uninspired learning environments that drain educators and learners. Further consequences exist like a disconnect between learners and their communities, very few practices that foster healthy identity formation, and teaching methodologies that further a disrespect for the individuality of each learner and educator. This current model can be slow to change, with innovations addressing the symptoms of a faulty foundation, rather than the stifling principles at the center of the design.
To address the current problem of how we educate, we must go to the center of the design itself. When a house is faulty at its foundation, it makes little sense to strengthen the structure by putting up curtains. Even though the process is complex and rigorous, the foundation itself must be addressed for transformation to occur.
There is so much out there about the challenges of the current education paradigm. If you would like to learn more, we suggest Dr. Bettina Love’s book, We Want to Do More than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. We also recommend this podcast Schooled in Democracy by Scene On Radio.
The current Western educational model privileges linearity, preservation, and uniformity. The unsustainable values that this model perpetuates are now globally pervasive. From this design, practices emerge like standardized testing that promotes norming, a lack of creativity and adaptability, and uninspired learning environments that drain educators and learners. Further consequences exist like a disconnect between learners and their communities, very few practices that foster healthy identity formation, and teaching methodologies that further a disrespect for the individuality of each learner and educator. This current model can be slow to change, with innovations addressing the symptoms of a faulty foundation, rather than the stifling principles at the center of the design.
To address the current problem of how we educate, we must go to the center of the design itself. When a house is faulty at its foundation, it makes little sense to strengthen the structure by putting up curtains. Even though the process is complex and rigorous, the foundation itself must be addressed for transformation to occur.
There is so much out there about the challenges of the current education paradigm. If you would like to learn more, we suggest Dr. Bettina Love’s book, We Want to Do More than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom. We also recommend this podcast Schooled in Democracy by Scene On Radio.