Ordinary Times: Education Links

1: Writing for Forbes, Natalie Wexler argues that a new approach to education, one that emphasises a knowledge-rich curriculum is required to reduce inequality.

2: A Wall Street Journal article by Leslie Brody explores the lack of formal phonics instruction in American schools and the adverse effects this is having on students learning to read.

3: Beatriz Geitner comprehensively explores the history of learning theories from the time of Aristotle in the Classic Era to modern constructivist theories.

4: A recent piece in Quillette examines the effects of the move away from directly and formally teaching grammar in schools.

5: What should schools teach? This article from British education organisation Parents and Teachers for Excellence has listed 213 different articles from 2018 with suggestions as to what should be added to the school curriculum. How many of the suggestions do you agree with?

6: Skim-reading on electronic devices has become the norm for taking in written information. Maryanne Wolf, writing for The Guardian, describes the immense effect this has on the wiring of the human brain and on society at large.

7: Adam Harris, education writer for The Atlantic, details the subtle barriers to school choice facing children deemed ‘difficult’ to teach.

8: Despite popular belief, cognitive training programs and demanding cognitive activities do not improve general cognitive ability, a new study has found.

9: Is listening to a book the same as reading it? Scientist Daniel Willingham, writing for the New York Times, explores the topic and dispels some common assumptions around it.

10: Gus O’Donnell, former head of the UK Civil Service, claims that an education culture overly focused on examinations is causing a mental health crisis among British students.

11: A report by UK thinktank Policy Exchange has found that two-thirds of teachers have considered or are considering quitting the profession due to poor student behaviour.

12: Writing for National Affairs, Brooking analyst Jonathan Rauch explains how liberal bias in academia leaves the constitution of knowledge vulnerable to disinformation and trolling.