Episode 1: What's Wrong?
What is wrong with our current design of schools?
- Paula Dillon, Assistant Superintendent of Barrington (RI) Schools
- Corey Mohn, Executive Director of the CAPS Network
- Chad Carlson, Director of Research and Design, One Stone
Summary
In this episode, Chris Unger, Chad Carlson, Paula Dillon, and Corey Mohn discuss the need for a revolution in education and the reimagining of its purpose. They highlight the importance of engaging stakeholders, empowering student voice, and transforming traditional educational models to create meaningful learning experiences.
Chris Unger emphasizes the need to redefine the purpose of education beyond standardized metrics. He advocates for providing students with agency, opportunities, and skills to pursue fulfilling livelihoods and make positive contributions to society. Unger also emphasizes the importance of documenting long-term outcomes that go beyond traditional measures of success, such as test scores, to truly understand the impact of educational experiences on students' lives.
Chad Carlson shares his experiences from One Stone, emphasizing the power of putting students in the driver's seat of their learning. He explains that when students have a say in designing their learning experiences and objectives, they become more engaged and achieve deeper learning. Carlson also discusses the need to involve higher education institutions in recognizing non-traditional forms of assessment and valuing the skills and experiences students gain outside of traditional academic settings.
Paula Dillon highlights the importance of partnerships between K-12 education and higher education. She argues that higher education institutions need to reassess their acceptance criteria to recognize the value of non-traditional learning experiences and portfolios. Dillon also stresses the need to support educators in implementing innovative ideas and bridging the gap between traditional and innovative models of education.
Corey Mohn emphasizes the power of collaboration and networks in driving educational change. He discusses the need to connect with like-minded educators and institutions, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences. Mohn also emphasizes the importance of an action-oriented mindset, encouraging educators to embrace flexibility and learn from their mistakes.
Overall, the conversation underscores the urgent need to reimagine education and shift its focus from standardized metrics to empowering students, engaging stakeholders, and fostering meaningful learning experiences. The participants highlight the challenges of transforming traditional educational models and the importance of partnerships, student voice, and an action-oriented approach in driving meaningful change. Their collective vision is centered on creating an education system that prepares students for a purposeful and successful future, equipped with the skills and mindset needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
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