Blame the teachers

Although this is an American article, I bet a good many teachers in Alberta can identify.

"They also want public schools run with the top-down, data-driven, accountability methods used in private businesses."

http://dissentmagazine.org/online.php?id=504

Student Advisory Councils

Student input into Education can be valuable if done correctly and managed properly. If this council becomes nothing more then a publicity stunt, kids will see through it and it will be done in a few years.

However, if done properly, it could be very useful. The most effective learning occurs when students feel engaged with real, meaningful projects. Development of these kinds of projects requires input from students.

Only time will tell ...

http://Alberta.ca/acn/201106/30812E12BF861-A902-B506-9ACC1FAE79E0C286.html

Money, politics and teaching

The first paragraph says it all ...

"Even with a $1.3-billion decrease in the 2010 deficit, the province says it won't restore $100 million to the education budget for teachers' salaries."

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/06/30/alberta-teachers-stuck-with-budget-cuts

I wonder how many teachers and school staff voted PC in the last election.

Exam time

An interesting exam strategy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2011/06/24/calgary-hanna-naked-streaker.html

Net Generation

Should school be a place where we mimic the multitasking environment or should it be a place where we slow things down, teach students to read and write complete words, sentences and paragraphs?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/23/tech.popcorn.brain.ep/

Education vs common sense

Being an educated, intelligent person does not mean that you have any common sense.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/dean+medicine+resigns/4964115/story.html

Government infrastructure dept. got it right

It is not very often I find myself on the side of the government but spending money now to build or renovate schools is right on.

The province has announced a spending blitz to build new schools across the province and renovate many older schools. It will cost huge amounts of money in the short term but money well spent.

Alberta is on the verge of an economic boom and when that is underway, the cost of construction goes up. Oil companies and other businesses will be expanding. The construction companies will be busy; supply and demand will push the cost of construction up.

It is prudent and fiscally responsible to build and renovate now.