socialist

I could care less what you think of me. When I read what you write, I am able to draw a number of conclusions. 1. You have no clue with regards to modern public education or the challenges involved. 2. You have no clue as to what 21st Century Skills are. 3. You have no clue as to what 21st Century Learning is. Your comments on cursive writing reveals a lack of knowledge of the subject. Also, I remember you from a thread on climate change in which you got destroyed by waldo. So like I said; your simple opinion means nothing to me.

It's nice to see people here waking up to the neo-liberal menace. I've been trying to discuss it but too many people have no clue what neoliberalism is. Most haven't even heard of neoliberalism.

As a progressive educator, I have to laugh at some of the thoughts that some educators have that take us back to the 50s. Teaching handwriting in school is a complete waste of time. 99% of our time is spent on computers and smartphones, while most modern progressive schools have smartboards to engage students. Why on earth would we want to go back to boring the heck out of learners by forcing then to learn cursive handwriting. I disagree with everything mentioned in this opinion piece. Handwriting is not a 21st century skill. It's a relic that is rarely used these days. Kids need to learn to collaborate and be tolerant of other's views. Handwriting is a faded skill that means nothing. http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/23/michael-zwaagstra-too-many-educators-believe-that-handwriting-is-obsolete-nonsense/

Take the time to read this, Michael. It will open you to a new way of thinking about math education. It explains why the basics in math don't add up. You can learn a lot from this short article. http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/math.htm

Any educational research that I've been introduced to through ProD sessions is always very sound. I'm not sure what you are talking about here.

So you need to resort to insults? It will make no difference to me. I am an educator and understand the industry. You don't.

You have no idea what this 21st century learning thin is. None.

You want kids to be bored in math class because that's the way you did it. Again, you need to understand 21st century education. Collaboration is important. Not sitting in rows memorizing ridiculous times tables being bored out of your mind. Educate yourself. http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/social_injustice.html

Here is a math resource that is awesome. The problem many of you have is that you do not understand the difference between arithmetic and mathematics. 2+2 is arithmetic. Deep understanding of the subject, even through a social justice lens is a benefit for all society. Have a look at this. A teacher resource for linking math and social justice - See more at: https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/math-matters#sthash.Es0rT048.dpuf https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/math-matters

Old PCT, you have no clue what you are talking about. You know nothing about modern public education, yet you come across as some expert, which you are far from. You are clueless about the teaching of math and continue to embarrass yourself. Have you ever seen discovery, 21st century teaching in an actual public classroom? Educate yourself already. http://education.penelopetrunk.com/2012/08/16/5-reasons-why-you-dont-need-to-teach-math/

Thanks for taking the bait. Here; read this from a math education expert. http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/06/08/university-of-alberta-math-education-expert-says-discovery-math-is-not-to-blame-for-falling-test-scores And so people say I'm fair, here is the side I disagree with. http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/28/does-discovery-learning-prepare-alberta-students-for-the-21st-century-or-will-it-toss-out-a-top-tier-education-system/

These might give you some more understanding of discovery math. It gets a bad rap because people don't understand the system. Reading the comments after the article makes me realize how out of touch most people are. http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/03/27/robyn-urback-ontarios-itty-bitty-steps-toward-better-math-education/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/provinces-stick-with-discovery-math-despite-back-to-basics-push/article16250862/ http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2014/01/26/the-great-canadian-math-debate-pt-7-memorizing-the-times-tables-is-damaging-to-your-childs-mind-says-discovery-math-researcher/ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-math-equals-trouble-education-expert-says-1.1058161 http://www.scpie.org/updated-outcry-from-alberta-educators-over-flawed-discovery-math-curriculum/

Count on the National Post to write a biased article based on assumptions. Read the first comment that follows the article. It is written by a teacher in the trenches who cares about learners. She summed things up perfectly for those who have no clue what goes on in classrooms these days. http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2015/01/05/kelly-mcparland-faces-with-debt-hobbled-government-ontario-teachers-unions-are-reduced-to-bluster/

Memorizing the times tables by rote is not learning. Learners need to understand why 8 x 6 = 48. When kids learn multiple strategies for solving a problem they gain understanding. That's something the old-fashioned worksheets and rote people fail to grasp. 21st Century Skills do not involve rote memory.

You mean the author of the article has a point? Also, it's a she , not a he. The main point is that traditional learning is a relic. If you see a teacher that organizes his or her class in straight rows, where the educator directly instructs, then you have just seen an educator using old, damaging methods of teaching. Learners need to sit in groups and collaborate. Educators are learning facilitators.

To my surprise the Alberta PC party is moving ahead with Inspiring Education which is a strong focus on 21st Century Skills. This is a great development. But, of course there are naysayers; people who don't understand 21 century education. Worksheets and memorizing of facts is no longer the focus (thank goodness). Too many people are stuck in the 50s and 60s. Just for those of you who think I am biased I will post an opposing argument to Inspiring Education. I disagree 100% with this article. Yes, 100%. http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2015/01/04/213073/

Poochy describing his son somehow initiates debate? Quit stalking me already.

Well, I do talk to a lot of youth. Maybe your son has very little understanding of politics, which wouldn't surprise me.

People are ignoring something very important. I deal and talk with many young voters, and from what I hear day in and day out is that many cant't wait to cast ballots in the next election. I've heard many say that this will be the first time they bother voting. When I ask them what makes them want to vote, one response is overwhelming. They say they can relate to Trudeau. They feel that Trudeau is the best bet for real change, and I agree. Trudeau respects the younger generation. The CONS covet the vote of older people who want more and more. The mobilization of first time voters, who will vote Liberal will be the deciding factor in this election. I predict a Liberal majority. If the Cons win a minority, the progressives will unite to form government. 2015 is already shaping up.

Can you find some more recent articles? The amateurs on this site amaze me.

Well, your understanding is grossly incorrect. Please provide a cite of a teacher union forbidding teachers from coaching. Many of us put in 300 to 400 extra curricular hours a year. That's 10 weeks, yet the teacher bashers go on and on about having summers, ummm, off. My summers are spent working, learning, and preparing.

I usually post after a hard day's work, or early in the morning. But you're right; moonbox making a big deal of my posts shows weakness.

Yes, but you don't have a Masters in Education. It's the people with Masters degrees in Education who know what is best.

More anecdotal nonsense. I the teachers that I know who use their cell phones in their classrooms are using them as tools to enhance learning. Did you ever think of that, Hal? But I guess you are unfamiliar with 21st Century Learning, aren't you? You're google/youtube comment is beyond ridiculous. I guess anyone can make up silly stories to make point.