Comments on 2/3: The best school systems in the world: finding or creating the best teachers?TypePad2008-01-07T06:17:00ZEwan McIntoshhttps://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://edu.blogs.com/edublogs/2008/01/23-the-best-sch/comments/atom.xml/Martin commented on '2/3: The best school systems in the world: finding or creating the best teachers?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e200e54fc413a688332008-01-07T19:11:27Z2008-01-07T19:11:27ZMartinhttp://edtechie.netHi Ewan, that finding in Finland is interesting. There are studies that contradict this and suggest that early schooling gives...<p>Hi Ewan,<br />
that finding in Finland is interesting. There are studies that contradict this and suggest that early schooling gives a lifelong benefit (e.g. http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/3/topsyn3.html). I wonder if there is an element of arms-race here - if some people start schooling their children young they have an advantage over those who don't, so there is pressure for others to conform and start younger. If, as in Finland, everyone starts at 7 then it all evens out. Mind you, as part of a couple both of whom work, what we're supposed to do with them till age 7 is another question...<br />
Martin</p>John commented on '2/3: The best school systems in the world: finding or creating the best teachers?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e200e54fd7286288342008-01-07T18:43:31Z2008-01-07T18:43:31ZJohnhttp://www.sandaigprimary.co.uk/pivot/johnjohnston.phpHi Ewan, I am really surprised at the difference a good teacher makes so much difference. I always have in...<p>Hi Ewan,<br />
I am really surprised at the difference a good teacher makes so much difference. I always have in the back of my head a stat that was quoted to me many years ago the the difference to a child's reading age would only be affected by about 10% by the quality of the teacher, ie the best made 10% difference over the worst. I've always taken comfort from this. BUT, I now have no idea where the stat came from and you know what they say about statistics;-)</p>Clarence Fisher commented on '2/3: The best school systems in the world: finding or creating the best teachers?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451f00f69e200e54fc3813c88332008-01-07T11:22:00Z2008-01-07T11:22:00ZClarence Fisherhttp://remoteaccess.typepad.comI've always read that "good" teachers in the classroom make the difference but I had never seen stats to actually...<p>I've always read that "good" teachers in the classroom make the difference but I had never seen stats to actually back that up. These are interesting. But my questions circle around change. What is a "good" teacher? Someone who prepares kids for university? Someone who prepares kids to go into the workforce? Someone pushing kids towards the 21st century? Can good teaching be defined as someone who is able to motivate kids to become self directed learners? Not necessarily playing the devil's advocate here as I completely agree with you about the importance of teachers (I'm a teacher after all!) just wondering about defining this a little closer.</p>