Author Archives: mortonbeckcom

This article from phys.org is worth sharing When it comes to education and mentorship, Northwestern University researchers believe that Albert Einstein had the right idea. The most important aspect of teaching, Einstein thought, isn’t relaying facts but imparting tacit knowledge that students will build on for the rest of their lives.In one of the largestContinue reading “Sharing of tacit knowledge is most important aspect of mentorship”

by Mark Hathaway, University of Otago The following article is worth sharing: Professors Hamish Spencer of Otago, and Marlene Zuk of the University of Minnesota, have had their views published today in the journal BioScience. Their article confronts the debate they liken to a zombie that is “nature v nurture,” or put another way, thatContinue reading “Time to kill the scientific zombie that is the ‘nature vs. nurture’ debate”

Ivan Illich was born in Vienna (1926-2002), educated in religious schools, exiled because of Jewish ancestry and moved to Florence.  Studied Philosophy and Theology at the Gregorian University (Rome), became a priest in New York, then Vice Rector of the Pontifical University (Puerto Rico).  Taught at Fordham University (NY).   In 1961 he created theContinue reading “Ivan Illich”

Roger Cousinet (1881-1973)  At the beginning of the 20th Century, under the supervision of Emile Durkheim at the Sorbonne, Roger Cousinet prepared a thesis on the social life of infants. In 1910, he became a primary inspector.  In 1920, with voluntary teachers, he put into practice his approach of free group work. His educational theoriesContinue reading “Roger Cousinet”

The gap between high and low earners is most pronounced in grammar areas. Torsten Bell “The Observer” – Sunday, 26 April 2020 Some terrible ideas are brand new, such as injecting disinfectant. But some bad policy plans are like zombies – however many times they are killed by the evidence, they just keep coming back.Continue reading “Wage inequality is the price society pays for grammar schools”

In 1918 there were many pacifist teachers who were scarred in body and mind.   Revolutionary trade unionists formed the Fédération des Membres de l’Enseignement, which aimed at avoiding the slaughter of 1914-18, putting an end to capitalist exploitation and creating a more humane and just society.  Through an educational commission and their review “l’ÉcoleContinue reading “Célestin Freinet and his movement”

This article from The Guardian (25-2-20) is worth sharing –

James Coombs says the secretive 11-plus marking system is as ‘opaque as hell’ and is fighting to force the test compilers to release their workings. Photograph: Ben Gurr/The Guardian When James Coombs’ eldest son turned 10, it seemed natural to put him in for the 11-plus test. He was a bright lad, often at theContinue reading “Grammar school scoring is wrong, says father – and hopes finally to prove it”

Maria Montessori (1870 – 1952) was born in Chiaravalle in the Province of Ancona in 1870, into an educated middle-class family; her uncle, Antonio Stoppani, wrote “Il Bel Paese”, which was the standard Italian geology textbook for many years. She was strong willed and defied her father, who wanted her to become a teacher. She was theContinue reading “Maria Montessori”

Children cannot help learning, they learn from their environment.  There are sensitive periods when children are more susceptible to certain behaviours and can learn specific skills more easily: The sequence and timing vary for each child. The prepared environment makes learning materials and experiences available to children in an orderly format.  The children are freeContinue reading “The Montessori Method”