Education On Fire - Sharing creative and inspiring learning in our schools GGGG Ep 1 - The benefit of hindsight and lessons learned
In this first episode of a special 10-part series named Ger Graus Gets Gritty, Mark Taylor sits down with Professor Dr. Ger Graus OBE to launch an honest conversation about education and schooling.
Following the release of Ger's book "Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education" this series uses each chapter as a springboard for examining what's working—and what isn't—in our education systems.
In this episode Ger shares his personal journey from a difficult childhood in the Netherlands to becoming a passionate advocate for experience-based learning. He reflects on how one transformative teacher changed his trajectory, the crucial differences between primary and secondary education, and why putting children at the centre of learning must be more than just rhetoric.
This episode tackles the benefit of hindsight, the importance of storytelling in education, and why courage is needed to swim against the current of compliance-driven schooling.
Key Quotes
"If you're a teacher, just realize that 50 years from now someone will say your name... That's your responsibility, whether to say good things or bad things, nice things or not so nice things. That's in your gift and that's in your hands."
"The minute you touch on an abstract in your lesson, the next thing that should happen is, comma, for example, the two most important words in that lesson. Because what that means is that you exemplify, you tell a story effectively, you take these children in mind and heart, you take them on a short journey."
"What we have become is accountable to the system and not accountable to the child."
"I think we need to make education and schooling and the connection between the two much more of a societal dialogue."
"Children can only aspire to what they know exists."
Takeaways:
- The podcast marks a significant milestone, celebrating ten years and 500 episodes, highlighting the journey of Education on Fire.
- Professor Dr. Ger Graus OBE's engagement signifies a collaborative effort to address pressing educational issues through meaningful dialogue.
- The series titled 'Ger Graus Gets Gritty' aims to promote positive change in education, focusing on the welfare of children and supportive learning environments.
- Listeners are encouraged to participate in the conversation and share stories that advocate for the well-being of children in educational settings.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of community involvement in education, asserting that collective action is essential for fostering supportive learning experiences.
- The discussion raises critical questions about the current educational system, advocating for reforms that prioritize children's needs over economic or political agendas.
Chapters:
- 00:08 - Celebrating Milestones in Education
- 01:09 - The Importance of Community in Education
- 23:31 - The Importance of Storytelling in Education
- 33:03 - Reflections on Childhood and Education
- 52:41 - The Need for Courage in Education Reform
- 01:12:39 - The Importance of Personalization in Education
https://www.gergraus.com
Get the book - Through a Different Lens: Lessons from a Life in Education
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