I LOVE Obama! His education vision is positive and just what the States needs implement.
{“The solution to low test scores is not lower standards; it’s tougher, clearer standards,” he argued.
At the same time, however, he urged states to develop standards “that don’t simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship and creativity.”}
My thoughts:
Exactly! The approach to education now is an inquiry approach, and it is spot on in having students truly understand concepts. I love teaching an inquiry based curriculum. It inspires kids, allows them freedom to work within their learning style, true understanding of concepts, among many other positive aspects.
Research has proved kids have different learning styles. An inquiry based curriculum teaches to their learning styles in the classroom, and offers differentiated assessment. It teaches kids how to be inquisitive, where to find answers, how to solve problems in the real world, and use their creativity through innovation.
It bothers me that we have all these things to offer in the classroom, where true learning is taking place, and then students are expected to score well on a paper and pencil, multiple choice, test…which doesn’t allow every child to show their true potential.
If Obama’s vision is effectively implemented…the US will be heading in a very positive direction on many levels. Everything and everyone starts with education. I enjoy teaching an inquiry based curriculum because it has allowed me to grow as learner, teacher, and facilitator. The kids are driving their learning, and exploring concepts in a way that is more personal for them. It is more fun and productive for everyone.
Time will tell how things will work out in the US, and I’m eager to see what happens.
I have more to say about the rest of the article, but that is for another post… 
I agree Jillian, Inquiry based education does have a lot going for it. I love it science, the main set back that I seen is that sometimes when students get some unexpected results in an experiment they can still be convinced that they have understood a concept. Sometimes it may take some convincing to show them what they did wrong. Having said that the positives certainly outweigh the negatives.
And on the disussion of educational standards, I rememeber in a revious system that I taught in (NSW education) the government really dumbed down the syllabus and a cynic would say that it was to make sure that the least number of students failed the course. I don’t like it when educational standards are dropped for political agendas.
By: contej on March 24, 2009
at 1:34 am
Jillian, I’m really glad that you posted this, I have seriously had my head stuck in the sand lately and really could use some good news. I know, it’s ridiculous that this is news to me, but it is…Anyway, I agree with your statement here:
“It bothers me that we have all these things to offer in the classroom, where true learning is taking place, and then students are expected to score well on a paper and pencil, multiple choice, test…which doesn’t allow every child to show their true potential.”
I think this is the conversation that keeps coming up. If we are teaching to different learning styles and differentiating in the classroom, why are kids all being assessed in the same “old school” fashion.
What do the standardized tests really tell us?
There is and has been a need for huge educational reform…Although, I heard that Obama is considering merit pay. Have you heard anything about that? I should go research that now!
By: powers3280 on April 16, 2009
at 11:15 am