Comments on: Wrapping Up the “Web Legacies”: Reflection and New Directions

By: Deal, Doyle | Beyond School

Deal, Doyle | Beyond School — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:06:00 +0000

[...] said Polonius) who uses technology to write about science and education, not about technology (a meaning-focus, not a tools-focus); he’s whacked-out funny and roots-deep serious by turns, thank god; he is [...]

By: Journeys: Kaleidoscope

Journeys: Kaleidoscope — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:43:59 +0000

[...] a need to pull back from the tools, and gravitate more toward meaning when I write.” -Clay Burell, Web Legacies Wrap-Up, 9 Aug 2008I began my blog in June, 2007, intending it to serve primarily as an online professional [...]

By: Bill Farren

Bill Farren — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:42:21 +0000

Clay: It does seem like many people get the tech and 21st century skills stuff, but unfortunately, that group (those who bounce around the edublogosphere, mostly) is but a very small minority of educators. It’s scary how many people in positions to legislate what happens educationally, have absolutely no clue. Their sole goal seems to be, as you say, to perpetuate conventional unwisdoms more efficiently. The unquestioning masses (too often those charged with getting students to think critically) are only too happy to see any measure toward efficiency and novelty as a sign of progress.
Until schools decide to become places devoted to curiosity, joy, solving real problems, and the fostering of well-being, there will be plenty to write about.
Keep it coming.

Bill Farrens last blog post..Myth Busted

By: On the Meaningful, in Quantum Contexts | Beyond School

On the Meaningful, in Quantum Contexts | Beyond School — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:43:10 +0000

[...] I feel a pull to pull back from the tools, and gravitate more toward meaning when I write. –Web Legacies Wrap-Up, 9 Aug [...]

By: Legacy 9: On Traveling Blind (or, “The Reproductive Life of Stereotypes”) | Beyond School

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:44:35 +0000

[...] my Web Legacies Wrap-Up post, I said I’d decided against publishing the ninth and tenth “Culture Clip” pieces I wrote that [...]

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:54:36 +0000

@Paul, I agree that schools work for some (though perhaps no school would work for them as well?), and I share your interest in schools like Summerhill and Sudbury. I’m hoping to focus on them in depth in this space soon, and satisfy that curiosity.

@Nate, I can’t say I’m aware of many e’bloggers that address the flag and the cross with anywhere near the levels of skepticism (or outright debunking) that they could receive. School reform in terms of technology, pedagogy, and so forth? Yes, we read a lot about that around here. But the sacred cows are rarely spitted for a bar-b-que. Or am I unaware of some feeds in your reader?

(BTW, “loving your country” is nothing objectionable, in my book. But jingoism and American exceptionalism are. That’s what I had in mind with the “patriotism” reference.)

By: Nate Stearns

Nate Stearns — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:28:10 +0000

Thinks for sharing your ideas. It felt very English-teachery with all of the narratives and reflection. It’s a great way to start thinking about school next year.

I’ve always thought it was interesting that you think that teachers don’t comment on “such idols as religion, patriotism, consumerism, workaholism, and the educational system itself.” My readings have suggested that if there was really a common thread on those topics it would be a pretty liberal, skeptical take on most of what you listed. How often do you read an edublogger saying, “Hey, American schools don’t do a good enough job in persuading kids to love their country.” It’s possible that the great mass of edublogs are in this vein–but my RSS feed is missing them.

We teachers tend to be (but aren’t always) garden-variety liberals (so am I) and your viewpoints seem to be reasonably similar but perhaps taken a bit farther. Is that fair to say?

By: Paul C

Paul C — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:09:01 +0000

‘So again, I’m left questioning the value of mandatory high school. I still lean toward the position that it retards growth, rather than accelerating it.’

For some, I think you are right. But for others depending upon the program and teachers, of course, it can lead to empowerment, to finding one strengths, and life long interests. Shaping a program to fit every student would be the ideal.

Summerhill is an interesting school in England which addresses the genuine interests of all its students. Their motto:where students are free to be themselves. It’s worth taking a look at their website:
http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/

Enjoyed your ‘web legacies’ series very much.

Paul Cs last blog post..Unleashing a Child’s Creativity

By: Paul C

Paul C — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:12:09 +0000

‘So again, I’m left questioning the value of mandatory high school. I still lean toward the position that it retards growth, rather than accelerating it.’

Summerhill school in England has the motto: ‘where kids have freedom to be themselves.’ They have a great site to see how essential decisions about their education rests with them. Spend some time at: http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/

Thanks for your Web Legacy Series; great introspective writing!

Paul Cs last blog post..Unleashing a Child’s Creativity

By: Clay Burell

Clay Burell — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:04:59 +0000

@Harold, That’s so sane it’s radical.