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There should be an equivalent to the Nobel Prize for education.
As I heard a brilliant speaker say once: if we can fix the problems in education, then that will, in turn, fix most of the other problems. That is profound, and it speaks to the fact that the better education system we create, the more medical and scientific and even peaceful innovations our future scientists and activists will come up with.
What is more, I think Dean Kamen should be the first recipient. His creation of the FIRST robotics program is a piece of exemplary science. Far too much - in fact most - of discussion about education policy and practice is mired in theory and abstract research debates. Kamen has run an experiment to ground his claims, and it has been replicated over and over proving it as a core approach to re-engaging our kids in learning.
In 30 years, the number of leading scientists, innovators, and researchers who can point to their experiences in the FIRST program as a keystone of their success will be staggering.
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
An education with the foundationalism around building children's mind to the fullest cognitive ability they can; in critical thinking, analytical practice, problem solving, memory building, and tolerance of fellow man... 6 subjects for 18 years is dumb founded - why not 12 subjects (6 different a day)? 3 month break? Why not 3 one month breaks? The person who is the prime factor in the shift of education systems.. is the person that deserves more than a Nobel Prize...
Erik Richardson 500+
Part of the hope is that the prize would prompt a shorter cycle of innovation with more emphasis on results and less emphasis on theory.
In terms of subjects and preparing students for tomorrow, I think we need to make learning/education itself into one of the subjects students learn. They should understand a certain amount of stuff about how/why some approaches work better, how to approach material from different learning styles, and some basic models for how learning, retention, and so on work. That will prepare them to teach themselves, since whatever we teach them will be outdated anywhere from before they enter K5 to within 5 years of leaving high school.
Nicholas Lukowiak 50+
Well there is a lot more now to place into education theory that is being develop in cognitive studies! Consider, instead of teaching one part of the brain we design games/programs that enable multiple cognitive abilities to be enhanced - let children play these games. While we teach them discipline in martial arts as a subject in school, and basic logical and ethical conundrums in decision making. As they get older introduce more variety to the topics they learn to keep information new and more exciting! Learning the same 6 subjects for 16 years... Sounds like torture. New Jersey drop out rates at like 17 or 18 percent.. 1 out of ten kids have problems learning? No, they are just bored!
Ranting... for nothing, lol, self education though should be part of the foundationalism, no question. Love ideas of critical thought! "The art of being right" is critical thinking... To look at the problem in multiple perspectives is a difficult thing to do as a philosophical practice towards investigating the world - in order to never be wrong...
Edward Webber
Tom Jackson
Tom Jackson
Erik Richardson 500+
As far as your question about what kind of person gets it, I think it would/should lean much more toward the scale of impact - i.e., Kamen or Gates, than the particular classroom teacher.
With regard to which of those people get it - Kamen or Robinson or Gates, etc.—again, I think this could be handled by imitation of the other awards, with a committee evaluating the candidates and reaching a consensus.
I will be more than happy to sit on the committee that hammers out the details once I find someone to fund the annual award. :-D
Robert Winner 50+
We have many different teacher of the year awards at all levels. The advantage would go to the instructor who has the advantage of funding as has been pointed out in the FIRST program. It still boils down to money at some point.
The choice would ultimately go to either the teacher who does the best at a "poor" school or the instructor who has all of the tools, money, and support of a private school.
Then there is a question of the $100,000 awarded. Would it go to the teacher or the school?
Lots of questions that need to be addressed. The eligability critera would be a bear to pound out. This would be a case of NOT making many people happy.
All the best. Bob.
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Erik Richardson 500+
The solution to entropy is input from outside the system. :-D
Fritzie Reisner 100+
But I absolutely understand the reluctance of passionate, commited people to pour heart and soul into what they may see as a strait-jacket of bureaucracy, rigidity, and politics.
I see tremendous growth in education outside the system, which is a powerful magnet for the talented, resourceful, and stifled. I know I have lent professional, financial, and personal support to a variety of these high quality educational enterprises outside the system.
Debra Smith 200+