Learning despite exceptions

After 8 years of teaching in various settings and school systems what frustrates me to no end is running into people who whilst working with students from special needs or even so called 'mainstream' students cannot accept ambiguity and nuance in their work. People who succumb far too easily to labeling with a sense of certainty that blows me away. I see as problematic the general tendency to simplify things to the point of meaninglessness amongst educators- I see a plethora of experts, articles and discoveries that tend to sound too authoritative and prescriptive in their thinking- with most of their arguments boiling down to some sort of physiological explanation based on the 'latest' brain research and diagnosis of 'disorders' or afflictions of one sort or another.

Mathematics

What is Mathematics? Why do we learn Math? What is the best way to learn Math? This will be one of those articles which I hope will serve as an exploration/dynamic document so that I and perhaps others can get better informed. As a young kid and till very recently I saw Mathematics as being that subject that is at once utilitarian and at the same time an aesthetic experience-most of these realizations came to be through rote learning or through pure accident. However the discipline itself has never been that enjoyable or engaging to me. 

The changing landscape of education

What does it mean to be a teacher and a learner in this rapidly changing world- the Club of Rome in it's influential book in the late 70's- No limits of learning mentioned that we are faced with a 'world problematique' referring to the almost perfect storm that we have created for ourselves: A converging mass of ecosystem, economic, and social system issues that are all in largely negative states and the seeming inability to respond to these issues through the many institutional systems we have set up. The analysis performed by the Club of Rome applies today just as it did more than 30 years ago.

Welcome to the frontier!

As me and my friends wander the edges of pedagogical frontiers we are running across some incredible conversations that have spanned generations, which we hope to bring to the benefit of all educators- both formal and informal.

We hope that you are able to check this blog regularly to stay updated on the latest news, research and developments. We have included on the side a link to Mr. Sajan's excellent delicious bookmarking service that has up to date vetted links to many many digital resources that will simply take your breadth away. If off course you have any questions, just ask your trusty webmaster from the link below and we will be happy to answer any questions.