Why are we 'schooling' the curiosity out of our kids?

TORONTO , Oct. 2 /CNW/ - Children are born learners. Their curiosity and imagination guides their learning - they question, investigate, and experiment. But the way that school is typically designed results in too many students who, by the time they reach high school, are disengaged, stressed out and are often unprepared for the lives ahead of them.

Why? Ask Penny Milton , CEO of the Canadian Education Association.

    
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    It's World Teachers' Day on October 5th.

    Arrange a Q & A chat with Penny and get your audience to think about
    teaching and learning in a different way.

    416-591-6300 ext. 225                              [email protected]
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    Q -  What makes schoolwork worth doing?

    PM - "It has to be real; it needs to make a difference; and it has to be
    linked to students' lives beyond school. This is powerful learning. It
    invites students to think and to do."

    Q -  But is this going to be on the test?

    PM - "Top marks and top scores are important but they are no substitute
    for deep learning, and real understanding. We need to challenge students
    to think deeply, to question things, and to collaborate so that what they
    learn lasts for life."

    Q -  So what makes a great teacher?

    PM - "Passionate people who get to know and respect their students, and
    ask them to have a say in what and how they learn. They are teachers who
    themselves deeply understand what they are teaching."

    Q -  What kind of learning do students need to fix the problems we've
    created?

    PM - "Unfortunately, today's young people will inherit global scale
    economic, environmental, and social challenges unlike those of any other
    generation before them. They will need to play their part in finding our
    way to a sustainable future."

    Q -  And what did you do in school today?
    PM - "In asking this proverbial question, we're leading a bold initiative
    to change the all too common answer, "nothing much." Our work is
    revealing that far too many students are 'tuning out' of classroom work,
    from Grade 6 onwards. What did you do in school today? is a change
    strategy towards helping students to become self-motivated, imaginative,
    and expert problem solvers - more 'intellectually engaged' and able to
    navigate a changing world with confidence."

                   www.cea-ace.ca/whatdidyoudoinschooltoday
    

For further information: Max Cooke, Director of Communications, Canadian Education Association, [phone] ext. 225, mcooke(a)cea-ace.ca