Educational Philosophy
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Educate for hope, not despair, for a fair and sustainable world.
I wrote this post in 2014, but come back to it often. See edits and additions below the main body. We tread a delicate line between hope and despair; between student action for change and not overwhelming our young learners… Continue reading
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A pragmatic approach to inquiry: my article in IS magazine
The most recent issue of International School Magazine has run a feature written by me on how we interpret and frame inquiry, and is adapted from one of my recent Bath MA assignments. Continue reading
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Are IB Schools Trivium21C Schools?
Trivium21C is an excellent vision for an excellent education, taking the best of the past and the present to prepare young people for the future. Give up the progressive/traditional mud-fight and read this. Continue reading
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Content & Inquiry in a Google World
I don’t know anyone who can successfully teach ‘content-free’. We need to ensure that we teach good content: relevant, current, useful, interesting. We need to teach that content well, using effective methods and ensuring as much as we can that… Continue reading
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Is “every experience a moving force” in our curriculum?
As I struggle through writer’s block (after a very intense couple of months of work and more), trying to organise and finish off this ULL assignment, I find myself pulled back into the literature, thinking about the quotes of educationalists… Continue reading
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Defining Inquiry: “Critical Reflective Thinking”
A quick abridged post to isolate Bente Elkjaer’s definition of inquiry as “Critical reflective thinking.” Continue reading
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“You teachers have it easy.”
The summer has just begun. The students have left campus, I’m procrastinating cleaning up the lab… and we’re back to it again in two months. If you’re a teacher, you’ll know someone who hates that fact enough to remind you… Continue reading
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You Are Not Special
Having given two Commencement Addresses* in my time at BIS – a nerve-wracking experience – and focusing on the positives* of graduation in each, this is a breath of fresh air. David McCullough Jr. has apparently landed a book deal… Continue reading
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How much should homework count?
I saw this on Twitter via @Mr_Abud, and it got me thinking: What is the role of homework in my class? Years ago I read Alfie Kohn’s (@AlfieKohn) Homework Myth and adjusted my practices (I think) accordingly. This tweet from… Continue reading
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Differentiating… differently.
Long time no post! The school year is well underway and a ton of topics are on my mind, but things have been chugging along busily. Without the MA assignment to procrastinate, there’s been a little less motivation to blog,… Continue reading
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Philosophy First: Contrasting approaches to the Curriculum
I’m a pragmatic idealist. As an idealist I chose the international pathway and a career in IB schools because I believe in education, global-mindedness and the philosophy of the IB. I want my kids to grow up this way, I want… Continue reading
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“When you have interest, you have education.”
It’s the last day of the academic year, and the kids have just left the building. I went on Twitter for a quick read and saw this video from GOOD Magazine, after a tweet from Adrienne Michetti (@amichetti). If this reads… Continue reading
Wayfinder Learning Lab - Stephen Taylor 