Our Education System Is Broken!

All around the world there where no systems of public education till the beginning of the 19th century. They all came into being to meet the needs of industrialism. And what did they try to teach beyond reading and writing?

1. Repeating is more important then thinking
2. You have to obey and not to question a higher authority
3. To be present is more important then what you do with your presence
4. There is a learning hierarchy - some things are more important then other things
5  Learning has a start and a ending
6. Knowledge is more important then imagination
7. You have to avoid mistakes in life
8. There is only one right way for everything
9. What you believe is irrelevant only what you know counts

Well, these lessons are the fundamentals of our education system and everything else builds on top of that. The education system did a good job a long time ago by conditioning their pupils that way. Because schools and universities used to be not much more then "just" suppliers of human capital for the economy. The times have changed and the world looks different today then in the beginning of the industrial age. We have the information age today! But our education system still builds on top of the old fundamentals and that´s the main reason for the problems we face today in education.

The whole system is broken.

Schools should give children everything they need to empower their talents and to grow as personalities and master skills in areas that fit their talents and the economy should give people ways to monetize these skills. That´s it!
But because of a broken system schools try to force their pupils into what they think the economy needs and they try to teach pupils how to find jobs. Companies start to educate their employees and to built learning centers and academies because they are unsatisfied with the results of public education. They all try their best. And most of the time they fail!

But I hate complaining about something without looking for solutions. That´s one reason why I´m becoming a Supercool Principal.

Here you can find a little list with cool & fresh new education ideas & websites that could have an impact in the future of education:

Hole In The Wall
OLPC
Connexions
Moodle
Cinema And Science

...and some interesting Education Blogs:

EdBlogger Praxis
Educational Television
Doug´s Dabbles
Education & Technology

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO AD MORE COOL EDUCATIONAL LINKS AS COMMENTS!!!

I believe we can change the education system worldwide but not by reforming the old system. I am a big believer in revolutionary change. And I believe the time is ripe for it! What do you say?

Much power to you!

Steli Efti, Supercool Principal

Sitenote: If you didn´t had the chance already - you should watch the TEDTALKS presentation from Sir Ken Robinson about this topic - he is terrific!!!

Comments

[TonNet]

Thanks for the link. I will pay back in gratitude!

[Salman Siddiqui]

"We have the information age today! But our education system still builds on top of the old fundamentals and that´s the main reason for the problems we face today in education."

VERY CORRECT! I have been repeating that again and again to my institute people but who takes care of it...a great effort Sir. A great idea. You are in my blogroll...

[Erek Ostrowski]

I think this is a brilliant concept, and a great idea for a Blog. I'm really interested to see if creating a large online community around this conversation will help you address some of the challenges you're likely to anticpate, like how to fund alternative educational institutions, and how to develop credibility for your ideas. I'll definitely be watching this project! In fact, feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you!

Erek

[Steli]

Florence Meichel just send me a message that she couldn´t post a comment here. I´m not sure why but here are some cool sites Florence wants to share with us:

http://www.visuarios.com/
http://www.tutorom.com/
http://florence.meichel.free.fr/
http://www.webcampus64.fr/

Thank you so much for sharing!

[Claire "BusinessBlogAngel" Raikes]

Oh my gosh - my parents came to stay with me a few weekends ago and I ended up having a big argument with my dad about this very topic. I was saying we need an education revolution. Little did I know then that I'd soon come across one of the people who'd start it!

I feel really passionately that our young people are being really badly let down by our attitudes - towards them and life generally. And like you - I'm not one to just moan and do nothing. I'm planning to start a podcast for young people very soon - to give them messages of hope and encouragement.

I am a trained teen coach and have coached in some severely challenged and challenging schools here in the UK. The kids that are labelled as difficult, or a problem, so often flourish and bloom under a coaching style of growth and learning where they do the thinking and the visioning instead of the old school learning by rote methods. Its magical to see their teachers' faith renewed - for however short a time.

Oh wow -you've really got me started here - I'm going to shut up now, but you so have my support. How about I interview you for my podcast? Email me and we'll set it up :o)

[Steli Efti]

Hey Claire,

please don´t ever stop in the middle of your thoughts on this blog. Especially when they are so interesting!!! I´m flattered by your kind words and really appreciate your support!
Supercool School can´t become reality without you guyz! And I mean that!
Well...it seems like we´ll have a cool chat in some time...I´m really looking forward to it :)

Thankx and much power to all supercool people!