Project Based Learning

How can learning be both rigorous and interesting? Here's a great video that talks about the basic premise and worth of project based learning.

Today's Newstories

A story in the news today caught my interest.  The report covered the discussion of academic standards and, more specifically, the adoption of nationwide standards.  Shortly after I heard this news item discussed, another was aired concerning a school district in Chicago that is using what is called "management-style" to force out the lowest performing teachers.  The link between the two stories seems obvious to me:  the continual search for that one sure, golden thing that will be the answer to the 'problem' of education.

To me, it seems that the 'problems' in education are continual and sure, and even if they didn't exist we would invent them.  That seems to be the way people react and, unfortunately, much of the reaction to anything having to deal with education is an emotional one.  Maybe we need to bring some scientific thinking to the table.  Carl Sagen wrote that "at the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes- an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counter-intuitive, and the most ruthlessly skeptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new.  This is how deep truths are winnowed from deep nonsense." 

I want to keep this in mind.  Lets continue with the winnowing, shall we?