A Higher Vision of Teaching, Thinking and Learning
philipkovacs's Discussions
Educating for Individuality
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Kelly Bagdanov Aug. 5, 2009.
Letter to the Editor
13 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA) May. 5, 2009.
Trip to D.C.
13 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA) May. 5, 2009.
I am an Educator
Latest Activity
Hi, I just was introduced to this site by my friend and colleague Reid Cromwell. I like your message and vision and it is inline with my own. I believe technology will bring about what I call the eSingularity -- the moment when all learning is made…
Hi Lynn and all,
I found you after all, thanks to Susan, in response to a comment about creating a vision of what we're for, in addition to what we're against! Finally, and slowly, looking up instead of down.
Just a quick comment, in some respects…
I'm not sure that this comment will lead to an easier or simpler rethinking or the original statement but within the seven dimensions of human greatness the second dimension should be amended to more precisely define Inquiry as the revealing and exa…
thank you Vicki...this is amazing work and I am looking forward to seeing this. i love the comment about being pressured to learn surface level material....
Profile Information
- Occupation and Interests
- I am working towards tenure at UAHuntsville. At present I love what I do, but I believe we could be doing much more with our resources when it comes to "schooling" children.
My Role Here
I am helping Lynn Stoddard and the signers of that document forward a model of curricular reform that is, in my humble opinion, superior to what we've been doing for the past 30 years.
I hope we can use this network to help concerned citizens create spaces for schooling that contribute to "human greatness."
I am willing to debate what that term means and how it should be done.
I hope we can use this network to help concerned citizens create spaces for schooling that contribute to "human greatness."
I am willing to debate what that term means and how it should be done.
Philipkovacs's Blog
Recent Events and the Gates Foundation
Working towards tenure and preparing for a baby have kept me away from this group and site, though I am happy to see that Lynn is moving forward with documents that can be taken to school boards and representatives.
I have also read, with much interest, recent talk about asking Bill Gates for funding for this project. I'm not sure that Gates would do so, as he seems to have bought into standardization of curriculum hook, line, and sinker.
OTOH, he may be a victim of faulty advisers...if that i… Continue
I have also read, with much interest, recent talk about asking Bill Gates for funding for this project. I'm not sure that Gates would do so, as he seems to have bought into standardization of curriculum hook, line, and sinker.
OTOH, he may be a victim of faulty advisers...if that i… Continue
Posted on February 26, 2009 at 3:48pm —
Comment Wall (18 comments)
- At 1:36pm on August 6, 2009,
Craig A. Cunningham said… - "understood how to function with a baby" ...equals...function with little sleep? :-)
- At 10:55am on May 20, 2009,
Rogier Gregoire said…
- I am well, with a small flower garden to keep me sane.
Gregoire
- At 2:18pm on May 19, 2009,
Craig A. Cunningham said…
- hey philip! good to see you here. i stumbled across this site looking for Kenneth Saltman's email address. small world.
in my chapter for the Kinchloe/Hewitt volume, I wrote about the concept that each person is gifted with a unique potential for excellence that defines a destiny. I'm thinking that fits into a "human greatness" model. yes?
- At 11:43am on March 17, 2009,
Sharon Higgins said… - Hi Phil,
I am a parent and public school activist in Oakland, CA, who has been getting more and more involved with the issues you discuss here. My compulsion to communicate led me to creating a blog called The Perimeter Primate.
My point of view was picked up by Change.org and I've recently started posting there. My most recent entry is a collaboration with Caroline Grannan about charter schools. It was from a comment to our post from a member of this group (Jennifer Parker) that led me to EHG. It looked like a place I'd like to call home, so I joined.
In perusing the pages, I noticed that you proposed a summit of some sort, and want to let you know that I would love to participate. I'm inexperienced with navigating social networks at this time, but I'll work hard to try to catch on and keep in the loop.
By the way, this weekend I get to meet a couple of teachers who have written things I think you'll appreciate. Look up Steve Miller and Jack Gerson sometime.
Looking forward to better days,
Sharon
PS: Check out my last few blog entries to learn how Broad and others of his ilk manipulated the planting of charter schools in Oakland.
- At 1:30pm on January 15, 2009,
Rogier Gregoire said…
- Dear Phil
Its been a long time, perhaps too long but I'm glad that we are back in touch with one another. I have been busy with the issues that are in front of us and hopefully my contributions will be of use. I hope that they will taken in a spirit of love and cooperation. The stakes are very high and I often worry about the quality of the thinking that goes into these efforts without causing undue consternation. What i hear is not a rethinking or even an innovative rethinking of the purposes of educational activity and the management of our schools.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Gregoire
- At 9:59pm on January 3, 2009,
Jennifer Parker said… - Philip, sorry! I'm just seeing your question about EHG with children who are sick. I am assuming you asked since I work with chronically ill patients at St. Jude Children's Hospital?
Well, my position there can be quite frustrating in some respects. Basically, I'm limited to fighting for their rights under federal law - either Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Individuals with Disabilities Education Law. Both of these are excellent pieces of legislation. However, they are being eclipsed by NCLB. When I say limited, I mean my efforts are limited by how good the school is. I can fight for a specialized reading intervention or resource classes, but that's only as good as the school's resource class or reading intervention program.
I guess my answer to your question is that EHG for chronically ill students would look the same as for other students. Cultivating identity, inquiry, interaction, etc, on an individualized basis. It would mean equitable resources for ALL schools (and funding for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); promotion plus intervention; behavior intervention plans instead of suspensions/isolation rooms/arrest; school and teacher based assessments (including portfolios, celebrations of learning, teacher made tests, and presentations); two to five year teacher preparation programs (including foundations of education, special education basics, classroom management, and child development courses); and best teaching and learning practices (including individualized education programs for ALL students, cooperative learning, literature circles, writing workshops, inquiry learning, independent study, and socratic seminars).
- At 6:55pm on December 30, 2008,
David Wolinsky said… - Philip __ I don't have the tech knowledge to streamline the discussion. But I suspect we will dissipate energy if we continue in the present structure -- whether anyone picks up on my conceptual inputs or not.
Someone here must know how to combine the advantages of a social-networking site with focused discussion/action. That is territory pioneered by the Obama campaign -- not a literal model for us, but helpful in comparison with, say, our quasi-Facebook. As I've said, I'm better at questions (problematics) than answers.
- At 11:27am on December 30, 2008,
Buddy Fish said… - As you see, I'm still learning how to navigate. I think both have the same info with different pictures. I kind of prefer the cartoon version of me. I've never quite gotten the "professional" thing either.
- At 12:33pm on December 18, 2008,
David Wolinsky said…
- Phillip _ I just replied to something and then realized I din't know enuf to make my suggestion, because I don't know enough about social net sites and their structure.
But this site loses much discussion energy due to it's structure: People are talking about the same thing in different threads and vice-versa -- and no one can read, remember or find enough as these nearly random "trees" begin to branch out, etc. etc. Does someone know enough to fix this?
- At 1:02pm on December 17, 2008,
Judith L Green said… - Thanks Philip,
It is good to be part of this group.
Judith
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