Alfie Kohn's book titled What Does It Mean to Be Well Educated? is a worthwhile read for educators as we consider transformation of our learning institutions. A compilation of essays, Kohn's book takes on standards, assessments, and child psychology.
In this article summarizing some of his thoughts on this topic, Kohn deliniates some of his vision including a backwards design model and interdisciplinary studies. I'm sharing this particularly for the Dobbs 21st Century Fellows who visioned from day one (see uncut video footage at bottom of the day's minutes) their 21st century schools as interdisciplinary pods structured around essential questions.
This topic of what it means to be well-educated underlies all we do as educators, yes? It is inherent in our discussion of education's purpose. If we believe in interdisciplinary studies and a Understanding by Design model, then how do we break down our embedded discipline-centric models of education ? Is that possible? And, to what extent to we agree or disagree with Alfie Kohn on what it is to be well-educated? How would you define it?
My adviser has a great quote that he seems to throw at me quite often... "Don't let class interfere with your education." Seemed to fit with some of the articles that you link to. Now, I must run off to class.
Posted by: Willy | October 08, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Alfie Kohn, Deborah Meier, James Loewen (author of Lies My Teacher Taught Me...) and other fabulous educators are on the faculty for my summer institute, Constructing Modern Knowledge, this July 12-15th - http://constructingmodernknowledge.com
By the way, this requires a larger discussion, but I believe that "Understanding by Design," is inconsistent with the ideas you find so powerful in Mr. Kohn's work.
Posted by: Garystager | December 17, 2009 at 05:53 PM