about this site
What and Why
The goal of this site is to encourage both a deep understanding of human learning and the development of a like-minded community agitating for authentic and effective educational change. This site is not about what is commonly called “education reform” and does not advocate for higher standards, back to basics or improved test scores. While politically attractive, these attempts to patch the system only offer more of what doesn’t work.
There is no doubt that Canada has a lot to be proud of when it comes to public education. But there are also many signs of trouble that should make every one of us stop and think – and not just about the success of our own children. Education is fundamental for building healthy communities, thriving economies and strong societies. It is our best hope for addressing the challenges that are facing our world today and it is something we need to be doing better if we are ever going to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
It’s time to stop applying band-aids and start setting the broken bones. It’s time to really look at the factors affecting education for today and tomorrow and what we know know about understanding human learning. We need to look at what works because it supports how humans learn best and and what could work to transform education if we were able step outside the existing systems, structures and buildings and look at things from a different perspective.
Who and How
The idea to build an online community around educational transformation was inspired by the overwhelming enthusiasm and interest generated at cross-Canada presentations by John Abbott, President of The 21st Century Learning Initiative. (Videos of John speaking are placed throughout this site and his articles and videos are catalogued in our resource library.) This U.K. based Initiative is an international network of academics, researchers, policy makers and educators who are encouraging people to re-think our current systems of education.
In speaking and running workshops with educators, community members and students across the country, it became apparent that people wanted to know more. And knowing more made people want to do more – to create an education system that capitalizes on what we know about how humans learn and develop – a system that goes with ‘the grain of the brain’, instead of against it. Because when you recognize the disconnect between how our school system is currently structured and the circumstances and opportunities children actually need to develop to their full potential, the need for change becomes obvious and urgent.
John’s presentations across Canada have been facilitated by the Canadian Council on Learning, a national, independent and non-profit corporation that is committed to improving learning across the country and across all walks of life. During one of these Canadian tours, John met Heather MacTaggart, Executive Director of Classroom Connections, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to optimizing student learning opportunities. A partnership of like minds was created and the seeds of this site were sown. Classroom Connections is developing this site based on the ideas of John Abbott and with the financial support of the Canadian Council on Learning.
Where (do we go from here)
It is the hope of all three organizations that this site will be used by youth, educators, parents and community members as a place to make connections, explore ideas, share experiences and get support. By facilitating discussions around the site and around the idea of transforming education, we can begin the process of shifting public consciousness and inspire a groundswell of activities, initiatives and pressure that will be a force for the re-invention of education.
But now it’s up to all of us – to build our communal knowledge base, share what we know and what we are doing. So dive in. Share events where we can learn and network. Exchange opinions and experiences on education in the blogs and forums. See what other people are already doing and get inspired (then tell us all about it).
It’s time to get informed, get involved and mobilize the public to agitate for effective, ethical and authentic transformation in the way that we educate our children.
