The Global Search for Education: With the World in Mind
Dec05

The Global Search for Education: With the World in Mind

“The IB has concerns for humanity hardwired into it, in its philosophical heritage, its mission, and today’s curricula.” — Siva Kumari Siva Kumari, the first female Director General of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), has a lot on her mind. As global education systems scramble to find better ways to teach international perspectives and intercultural competence to the first generation of world...

Read More
The Global Search for Education: What Germany Did
Feb23

The Global Search for Education: What Germany Did

“The results that were above the OECD average in the PISA 2012 test could also be interpreted as good feedback to the schools – students, teachers, principals and the parents – that their efforts were necessary and successful.” – Elfriede Ohrnberger Germany’s poor performance in the 2000 PISA test surprised and concerned the relevant stakeholders in that country.  By 2012, scores in mathematics,...

Read More
Rizzoli — To Lose Our Culture Is to Lose Our Memories
Jan28

Rizzoli — To Lose Our Culture Is to Lose Our Memories

Sir Elton John, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld, Paloma Picasso, Christo, Gregory Peck, David Bowie, Abba Eban, Pablo Neruda, Gina Lollobrigida, Diana Ross, Greg Louganis, Fernando Botero, Francoise Gilot, Franco Zeffirelli, and Greta Garbo hung out here.  2014 marks Rizzoli Bookstore’s 50th anniversary. Celebrations for the anniversary had been well underway. The future of one of the last great booksellers in...

Read More
The Global Search for Education – What Poland Did
Jan26

The Global Search for Education – What Poland Did

“The crucial difference between Poland and many other countries is that we focus on providing the same comprehensive curriculum to students until the age of 16 and ensuring that nearly all students finish upper secondary school.” – Maciej Jakubowski  What were the education reforms that enabled the improvement of Polish students’ 2012 PISA test results from far below the OECD average to the European top? ...

Read More
The Global Search for Education: The Case for Space
Jan24

The Global Search for Education: The Case for Space

“Research proves students thrive on the ability to interact with peers and faculty, in a compelling way.” – Jeff Vredevoogd  Is your classroom space designed to promote effective teacher and student engagement and inspire 21st century learning? Technology continues to change the way we think about traditional learning spaces.  Since 2007, Herman Miller has been researching, along with higher education...

Read More
Alice — Wotcha! Gotcha! Alice?
Dec18

Alice — Wotcha! Gotcha! Alice?

“Alice in Wonderland is one of the earliest books written with the intention of entertaining children and not improving or educating them. It is  still a breath of fresh air. I like to think  that my version of Alice Liddell in Wotcha! Gotcha!, speaks and acts more like the Alice of the books than various other recent versions.” — Gareth Jones  Wotcha! Gotcha!, a very British style of pantomime (or panto),  is...

Read More