In this video Thomas argues that currently we are ultimately training students well for 19th century industrial revolution factory jobs that no longer exist. Of course, this doesn't sound like much of a compliment to the education system in America. Much of this lack of innovative learning according to Thomas is due to the emphasis on testing in the past years, and the old model of teaching which relies on the teacher as an expert telling students facts that they need to memorize. Thomas argues that these methods of teaching are not the answer to a better future in education.
He gives several examples of teachers he has talked to who have experienced push back for teaching students in creative ways. He mentions a teacher that told him there is no time for imagination in school. He mentions a teacher who is corrected by administration for teaching students to look for the hidden meanings in Shakespeare that do not conform to the old-fashioned reading of it. He even mentions a teacher who is told not to teach art in the classroom because it is not helping to improve students scores on testing.
Although I was slightly disappointed he never used the piano that was on the stage nearby, I agree with his philosophy on teaching, and personally hope education moves more in the direction he describes. One of my favorite points in the talk is when he points out that you can't stop someone from learning about something they are interested in, even if you tried. In my opinion, harnessing the power of a learner who is passionate about something is one of the keys to a better future for students.
He gives several examples of teachers he has talked to who have experienced push back for teaching students in creative ways. He mentions a teacher that told him there is no time for imagination in school. He mentions a teacher who is corrected by administration for teaching students to look for the hidden meanings in Shakespeare that do not conform to the old-fashioned reading of it. He even mentions a teacher who is told not to teach art in the classroom because it is not helping to improve students scores on testing.
Although I was slightly disappointed he never used the piano that was on the stage nearby, I agree with his philosophy on teaching, and personally hope education moves more in the direction he describes. One of my favorite points in the talk is when he points out that you can't stop someone from learning about something they are interested in, even if you tried. In my opinion, harnessing the power of a learner who is passionate about something is one of the keys to a better future for students.