Dean Jones’ Post

Outdoor Land Based Education. A relatively new term to me at least. But one that has been circulating for quite a while. OLB (outdoor land based) education is 'Indigenous land-based education which has implications for science, culture, politics, language, environmental stewardship, land rights, reconciliation - and the future of the planet" *UNESCO https://lnkd.in/gDfr62yy If your mind went straight to "taking the classroom outside", bingo: that's what it is NOT. It has been found that kids that participate in OLB education are more connected to their timeline on earth, their responsibilities to earth and others and what mark they want to leave when they are gone. They have a keener sense of self and what they need in order to learn. Thrust into experiential learning, it is learning by doing, researching, challenging, disrupting and creating. As opposed to learning from a textbook. Another study by the Canadian Parks Council - Connecting Canadians with Nature, multiple studies have demonstrated other benefits to children including: - Improved Focus during classroom periods - Increased resilience and self-confidence - Strengthened creativity, imagination and problem-solving - Improved mental health - Better critical thinking skills. I am excited that Surrey School District, the largest and fastest growing school district in BC, is opening its first Outdoor Land Based school in Fall of 2024 and my son Kase will be in the inaugural class! This #NationalIndigenousHistoryMonth, I will be reflecting and learning about the contributions, culture and rich history of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. In partnership with First Nations University of Canada, Reconciliation Education and BMO, Nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ, a free eLearning course, was developed to help Canadians understand Canada’s shared history from Indigenous perspectives. If you are interested in this free eLearning course, please pop a note in the comments below and I will forward it to you. #nationalindigenoushistorymonth #outdoorlandbasedlearning #futureleaders #fortinwealth #servingthequietlywealthy

Revolutionizing Education in Rural South Africa: A Holistic Approach

Worth a listen-some great points also evidenced in other research and transferable to countries beyond Pakistan. Key takeaways about effective education reform include being cognisant of the social, cultural, and political contexts; focusing on school improvement and developing quality teachers and heads with multifaceted professional learning; taking a holistic approach where all the elements of the system are aligned from policy to practice with a focus on inclusive practice; and nurturing localisation and local expertise with co-development leading to greater ownership.

We understand that our policymakers now have to deal with the noise in politics that threatens to drown out persistent issues in education. But they must not lose focus. Personalities come and go, but the concerns in our education system and the need to empower our teachers and students alike will always be there. Improving access to and the quality of education is a goal we must constantly pursue. It is not only the government that bears this responsibility but all stakeholders including private schools, civil society, parents, and communities. GASTPE (Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education) is a program that has been tested by time — we should make sure its benefits reach more young Filipinos in succeeding years. https://lnkd.in/gnP4z_Fc

March 4 to 8 Fanshawe recognizes Open Education week and SDG Week Canada. You may be wondering how these two weeks intersect, and our most recent blog answers that. https://lnkd.in/gmCtPt4f The United Nations (UN) has developed a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Sustainable Development Goal #4: Quality Education (SDG4) is the following: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all and Open Education Resources (OERs) do just that.

What measures can be taken to improve the quality of education in Africa? By Hugo Keji Improving the quality of education in Africa requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses various systemic challenges. Here are some measures that can be taken:

I visited Finland and Denmark to study their education systems. I met with university researchers, instructors, elementary and secondary teachers, and career counsellors and shared what I learned in my "What Makes the Finns and Danes So Darn Happy" blog. Blog Post #6- There's No Rush to Get Through School in Denmark https://lnkd.in/gwE7UzhA Big Ideas: In Denmark, learning is a lifelong endeavour available to everyone at any point in their life, so there is no rush to get it over with. A progressive education system allows children to move to the next level of learning when they are ready to do so, not because they have completed a pre-determined number of classroom hours. In my view, this is the true definition of personalized learning: a system that can respond to the needs of its individuals so that everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the greater good—a place where everyone matters. To read the whole blog series: https://lnkd.in/grYZacjJ #careereducationinfluencer #careereducation #danisheducation #finlandeducation #teachers #educators #educationalleadership #changemakers #impact

In conclusion, while a school's prestige and reputation may enhance its perceived status, they do not guarantee quality education. A critical examination of factors such as social justice is essential to ensure equal access to high-quality education for all students, regardless of their background or social status. Government intervention plays a crucial role in mitigating commercialisation. According to KH Dewantara, Paguron, as educational centres, should provide affordable education accessible to the public, emphasising simplicity and adherence to the national educational system in line with the nation's values (Tarigan et al., 2022). Affordable education in Paguron should not only be accessible but also of high quality and tailored to the needs of the community. https://lnkd.in/gnbqzqSd

Finland's education system is considered one of the best in the world and has many unique features: Trust-based Teachers are trusted as experts and have autonomy in their classrooms, while students are trusted to find their own passions and take ownership of their school spaces. This environment allows for learning and reflection, and it's okay to fail or say "I don't know". Play-based Education up to age 7 is almost entirely play-based, with a combination of free and teacher-directed play. Students learn to communicate, build relationships, develop independence, and manage risk through play, and they also spend time playing outside in nature year-round. Equitable Finland has no private schools and doesn't separate students with different abilities into different educational levels. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report says that Finland has the smallest gap between its highest- and lowest-achieving students. Personalized learning Students learn core knowledge and necessary life skills, but they also have the freedom to explore and experiment. For example, students are allowed to read books that interest them, rather than mandatory books. High-quality teaching Teachers are highly sought after and must have a master's degree to teach.

Disobedience, (dis)embodied knowledge management, and decolonization: higher education in The Gambia: https://ift.tt/yml0YF3