Thursday, November 4, 2010

Twitter Book Club: Alfred North Whitehead (1917-1929) The Aims of Education - Chapter 6

The Mathematical Curriculum

"Any serious fundamental change in the intellectual outlook of human society must necessarily be followed (cont) http://tl.gd/6nimfqless than a minute ago via Twittelator


Perhaps the reason this nearly 100 year old text sounds like it was written today is because we are in the midst of the same kind of "fundamental change in the intellectual outlook of human society" and to many of us it is clear we are on the verge of a very real "educational revolution." What is odd is that what Whitehead clearly tried to steer his generation toward is still what we find progressive today. Maybe he is wrong. Maybe there is no need for an educational revolution, just people who will always draw this conclusion. Or, perhaps (as I suspect) the "educational revolution" that needed to take place in our last time of "fundamental change" never really happened. Quite possibly we missed a step.

"It may be delayed for a generation by vested interests or by the passionate attachment of some leaders of (cont) http://tl.gd/6niodkless than a minute ago via Twittelator


This reminds me so much of what we hear in the public discourse in the battle between the Common Core folks and the P21 folks:


Both groups are right, which is a contradiction. Therefore, both groups must also be wrong. Interesting. Why can't we have it both ways?

"The pupils are bewildered by a multiplicity of detail, without apparent relevance either to great ideas or to ordinary thoughts." Whiteheadless than a minute ago via Twittelator


Reminds me of what is wrong with E.D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy."

"If we once abandon our fatal habit of cramming the children with theorems which they do not understand, (cont) http://tl.gd/6nj63uless than a minute ago via Twittelator



"Nobody can be a good reasoner unless by constant practice he has realized the importance of getting hold (cont) http://tl.gd/6njavhless than a minute ago via Twittelator

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