You’re right on about how kids are bombarded with information today. Schools can’t be expected to handle all of that on their own anymore. Parents can help their kids filter through what’s useful, challenge what they’re learning, and build curiosity in a way that the education system doesn’t always do. It’s about teaching them how to engage with info in a critical way.
So here's a thought: How well-equipped do you think parents (adults) are to help with teaching filtering and discernment? It's just a thought that's taken me now that I've written the article that I actually also wonder if adults 'have it together enough' to help kids guide their thinking.
It brings to mind the image of the 'village elder', the person who provides that deeper guidance and wisdom, and I'm not sure who in our society plays this role.
I'm not a parent, but I have observed others at parenting. For example, my sister, who is a millennial, is good at filtering that info. But she is more aware - not that parents are intentionally being ignorant. Most parents today struggle with digital literacy and critical thinking themselves, having grown up in a different info era. Improving digital literacy for adults (stuck in their ways) is a challenge but doable. The village elders, in my case, were my grandparents.
Commenting as a teacher--yes, there is too much information. That is why thoughtful teachers and quality schools need to work on coherence--making sure that our curricula isn't overstuffed and instead, thoughtfully builds from one "fact" to the next with plenty of opportunity to engage with material before moving on. It is why there should be more interdisciplinary connections--making sure our ELA teachers are in communication with the social studies teachers, for example.
I couldn't agree more Lauren. I think of the process of learning as the 'glue' that joins knowledge together, but this is a skill that needs to be developed in its own way. And I really love your insight about more interdisciplinary connections, because that really gives students the opportunity to apply that process of learning in new ways.
Here’s a question for you: Do you think the broader populace understands the purpose and intent of a ‘curriculum’?
Oh, wow. I could go on...and on.... Short answer: no. And I would include a lot of educators in that broader populace, too. There is a lot of confusion about curriculum vs. standards, content knowledge vs. skills. The shift to the Common Core standards derailed a lot of things in education, I'm afraid, by doubling down on English and math at the expense of science and social studies. And the focus within the English Common Core standards was on skills. For example--just picking this one at random: CC.K-12.R.R.2 Key Ideas and Details: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development;
summarize the key supporting details and ideas. So teachers are focusing on whether or not kids can do the skill without paying enough attention to what the text is about. As a US history teacher, I am also focused on those skills, but I'm more concerned that a student is learning--for example--something about the cause of the Civil War. The skill supports the learning of the Civil War, not the other way around. We're not learning about the Civil War so that kids can "determine central ideas or themes of a text."
Oooh, thanks for that article! I will check it out with great interest.
I also found your example Civil War fascinating too, which speaks to me of learning of 'objective' bodies of knowledge. It's like my point that we don't need kids to reinvent maths for themselves. And yes, sure, history can be told in different ways from different vantage points, but that skill is distinct from the broader body of knowledge about 'what happened'.
You're right that I'm based in Australia but I'm really intrigued by Common Core standards. I think you've given me the inspiration to do a deep dive on 'curriculum' in a future article!
Let me know what you think. As far as history goes, it drives me nuts that everything about teaching it has to be so politicized. (Wrote about that here: https://laurenbrownoned.substack.com/p/responsible-patriotism-teaching-us) Writing about curriculum, teaching history and issues in education is my thing. It is helpful to read the thoughts of people like you are outside of it. Just reposted something you wrote about writing.
As always Scott...wonderful. From my perspective the dictionary definition, that still applies in defining the parameters of "education" in many systems, is outmoded. I think curiosity is the very centre of education...one pathway to discovering the tools to a meaningful, effective and productive life. That view goes to the very heart of discerning which tools and information best support each individual and the communities they are part of. Parents are the very essence of "discernment guides". Curiosity in children needs to be nurtured and protected. It is what parents are for, and later...teachers..in loco parentis...not in the sense of authority but in the sense of love and protection. So much to discuss Scott, and hardly enough time or space 🙂🤔
Thanks Ian! I just reflected on Neela's comment with a question, but I thought you would appreciate it to. ARE parents the very essence of discernment guides? Do they have it 'together enough' to be discerning, especially given that many adults may be equally susceptible to this torrent of information. And so the image that came to mind for me was the old 'village elders', someone who's role was to provide wisdom (as you do!) for others, and where such elders may be in our society now?
I think you are right Scott. Many parents are not well equipped for the job. The demise of the extended family and respect for elders makes this very difficult to deal with. I wonder how we can help build these communities of support back into our networks?
This view on how parents' roles in education are changing today is very insightful!
I agree that learning isn’t limited to what kids receive in school. It’s also about how they deal with all the information they come across. The firehose analogy is quite effective! Encouraging curiosity at home is vital. It helps kids grasp and handle information better, not only to focus on grades. It’s not only about teaching kids facts. It’s also about assisting them in asking questions and learning with an open, curious mind. Parents can model curiosity and join their children on their journey of discovery.
This is a great article, Scott. I never thought about technology's impact on kids' education before. At least not from that lens. And I think you're right. I also loved your point about asking kids what they learned, versus just how their day went. I
That’s a great point. Kids today have more access to everything online than ever before, and it can definitely be overwhelming. Parents can feel that overwhelm too, which is why the challenge is figuring out how we all balance it together, adults and kids alike.
Thanks Bette! To your point, I wonder if part of the challenge is that we adults haven't even figured out how to deal with this firehose of information. So perhaps this really needs to be a learning journey we go on together!
Hey Scott, I was curious what your take on such a hot topic would be, and you didn't disappoint. I think your point about how technology has led to children having access to a firehouse of information without appropriate guardrails is quite appropriate.
I'm not a parent, so I feel a bit out of my depth commenting on a topic (children in the educational system), that I know nothing about from the parent's perspective. I do know that here in the states, there is an ongoing issue of parents distrusting the value/structure of the education they receive. I think in part, this comes from a lack of interaction between the parent and teacher. It seems that the education of the child should be a participation sport, with the parents and teachers all working together on the same team toward the same goal. It's not fair for the parents to just 'hand off' their kids to the teacher, and it's also not fair for the teacher to go 'outside their lane' and infringe on boundaries for the child that are better set by their parents.
Perhaps we as a society need to think about what we can do to create an environment where those guardrails against the technology firehose can be created, and how we can have the parents and teachers work together as a team to create them, as appropriate.
100% agree with your framing of education as a participation sport!
I think another challenge from the parent's perspective is a lack of understanding of how curriculums work, and a conflation of topic headings vs the student's engagement of it, which then devolves into a distrust of education based on that lack of deeper understanding.
That's not to say we have to agree with the topics in the curriculum or that what's taught shouldn't be up for debate, but that's not the same as throwing out schooling altogether.
I really think we do need to continue to embrace the 'it takes a village' approach, and not have an adversarial relationship with schools.
Important topic Scott. I think ye old workshop where apprentices learned by observing and doing is a better pedagogical paradigm than the "modern" classroom with all its shiny tech.
Thanks Baird! I think both have their place. In particular, I am mindful that the are some places in the world where access to trained teachers might be challenging, so tech could be a great boon there.
But in more developed nations, I very much agree that tipping the scales back in the opposite direction is perhaps increasingly important!
You’re right on about how kids are bombarded with information today. Schools can’t be expected to handle all of that on their own anymore. Parents can help their kids filter through what’s useful, challenge what they’re learning, and build curiosity in a way that the education system doesn’t always do. It’s about teaching them how to engage with info in a critical way.
Another great article, Scott.
Thanks Neela! And for the restack.
So here's a thought: How well-equipped do you think parents (adults) are to help with teaching filtering and discernment? It's just a thought that's taken me now that I've written the article that I actually also wonder if adults 'have it together enough' to help kids guide their thinking.
It brings to mind the image of the 'village elder', the person who provides that deeper guidance and wisdom, and I'm not sure who in our society plays this role.
Hi Scott
I'm not a parent, but I have observed others at parenting. For example, my sister, who is a millennial, is good at filtering that info. But she is more aware - not that parents are intentionally being ignorant. Most parents today struggle with digital literacy and critical thinking themselves, having grown up in a different info era. Improving digital literacy for adults (stuck in their ways) is a challenge but doable. The village elders, in my case, were my grandparents.
Commenting as a teacher--yes, there is too much information. That is why thoughtful teachers and quality schools need to work on coherence--making sure that our curricula isn't overstuffed and instead, thoughtfully builds from one "fact" to the next with plenty of opportunity to engage with material before moving on. It is why there should be more interdisciplinary connections--making sure our ELA teachers are in communication with the social studies teachers, for example.
I couldn't agree more Lauren. I think of the process of learning as the 'glue' that joins knowledge together, but this is a skill that needs to be developed in its own way. And I really love your insight about more interdisciplinary connections, because that really gives students the opportunity to apply that process of learning in new ways.
Here’s a question for you: Do you think the broader populace understands the purpose and intent of a ‘curriculum’?
Oh, wow. I could go on...and on.... Short answer: no. And I would include a lot of educators in that broader populace, too. There is a lot of confusion about curriculum vs. standards, content knowledge vs. skills. The shift to the Common Core standards derailed a lot of things in education, I'm afraid, by doubling down on English and math at the expense of science and social studies. And the focus within the English Common Core standards was on skills. For example--just picking this one at random: CC.K-12.R.R.2 Key Ideas and Details: Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development;
summarize the key supporting details and ideas. So teachers are focusing on whether or not kids can do the skill without paying enough attention to what the text is about. As a US history teacher, I am also focused on those skills, but I'm more concerned that a student is learning--for example--something about the cause of the Civil War. The skill supports the learning of the Civil War, not the other way around. We're not learning about the Civil War so that kids can "determine central ideas or themes of a text."
And now that I wrote all that, I'm realizing that you are in Australia. Check out this post by Australian educator, Rebecca Birch: https://rebeccabirch.substack.com/p/on-the-general-capabilities.
Oooh, thanks for that article! I will check it out with great interest.
I also found your example Civil War fascinating too, which speaks to me of learning of 'objective' bodies of knowledge. It's like my point that we don't need kids to reinvent maths for themselves. And yes, sure, history can be told in different ways from different vantage points, but that skill is distinct from the broader body of knowledge about 'what happened'.
You're right that I'm based in Australia but I'm really intrigued by Common Core standards. I think you've given me the inspiration to do a deep dive on 'curriculum' in a future article!
Thanks for sharing!
Let me know what you think. As far as history goes, it drives me nuts that everything about teaching it has to be so politicized. (Wrote about that here: https://laurenbrownoned.substack.com/p/responsible-patriotism-teaching-us) Writing about curriculum, teaching history and issues in education is my thing. It is helpful to read the thoughts of people like you are outside of it. Just reposted something you wrote about writing.
Thank you for that repost too! And for your link. Have just subscribed and look forward to reading in more detail!
As always Scott...wonderful. From my perspective the dictionary definition, that still applies in defining the parameters of "education" in many systems, is outmoded. I think curiosity is the very centre of education...one pathway to discovering the tools to a meaningful, effective and productive life. That view goes to the very heart of discerning which tools and information best support each individual and the communities they are part of. Parents are the very essence of "discernment guides". Curiosity in children needs to be nurtured and protected. It is what parents are for, and later...teachers..in loco parentis...not in the sense of authority but in the sense of love and protection. So much to discuss Scott, and hardly enough time or space 🙂🤔
Thanks Ian! I just reflected on Neela's comment with a question, but I thought you would appreciate it to. ARE parents the very essence of discernment guides? Do they have it 'together enough' to be discerning, especially given that many adults may be equally susceptible to this torrent of information. And so the image that came to mind for me was the old 'village elders', someone who's role was to provide wisdom (as you do!) for others, and where such elders may be in our society now?
I think you are right Scott. Many parents are not well equipped for the job. The demise of the extended family and respect for elders makes this very difficult to deal with. I wonder how we can help build these communities of support back into our networks?
This view on how parents' roles in education are changing today is very insightful!
I agree that learning isn’t limited to what kids receive in school. It’s also about how they deal with all the information they come across. The firehose analogy is quite effective! Encouraging curiosity at home is vital. It helps kids grasp and handle information better, not only to focus on grades. It’s not only about teaching kids facts. It’s also about assisting them in asking questions and learning with an open, curious mind. Parents can model curiosity and join their children on their journey of discovery.
This is a great article, Scott. I never thought about technology's impact on kids' education before. At least not from that lens. And I think you're right. I also loved your point about asking kids what they learned, versus just how their day went. I
Thank you Morgan!
That’s a great point. Kids today have more access to everything online than ever before, and it can definitely be overwhelming. Parents can feel that overwhelm too, which is why the challenge is figuring out how we all balance it together, adults and kids alike.
Thanks Bette! To your point, I wonder if part of the challenge is that we adults haven't even figured out how to deal with this firehose of information. So perhaps this really needs to be a learning journey we go on together!
Hey Scott, I was curious what your take on such a hot topic would be, and you didn't disappoint. I think your point about how technology has led to children having access to a firehouse of information without appropriate guardrails is quite appropriate.
I'm not a parent, so I feel a bit out of my depth commenting on a topic (children in the educational system), that I know nothing about from the parent's perspective. I do know that here in the states, there is an ongoing issue of parents distrusting the value/structure of the education they receive. I think in part, this comes from a lack of interaction between the parent and teacher. It seems that the education of the child should be a participation sport, with the parents and teachers all working together on the same team toward the same goal. It's not fair for the parents to just 'hand off' their kids to the teacher, and it's also not fair for the teacher to go 'outside their lane' and infringe on boundaries for the child that are better set by their parents.
Perhaps we as a society need to think about what we can do to create an environment where those guardrails against the technology firehose can be created, and how we can have the parents and teachers work together as a team to create them, as appropriate.
100% agree with your framing of education as a participation sport!
I think another challenge from the parent's perspective is a lack of understanding of how curriculums work, and a conflation of topic headings vs the student's engagement of it, which then devolves into a distrust of education based on that lack of deeper understanding.
That's not to say we have to agree with the topics in the curriculum or that what's taught shouldn't be up for debate, but that's not the same as throwing out schooling altogether.
I really think we do need to continue to embrace the 'it takes a village' approach, and not have an adversarial relationship with schools.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Important topic Scott. I think ye old workshop where apprentices learned by observing and doing is a better pedagogical paradigm than the "modern" classroom with all its shiny tech.
Thanks Baird! I think both have their place. In particular, I am mindful that the are some places in the world where access to trained teachers might be challenging, so tech could be a great boon there.
But in more developed nations, I very much agree that tipping the scales back in the opposite direction is perhaps increasingly important!