slowly

i’ve recently come to realize that my mini bio on twitter: “living it up slowly”, resonates happily with some other ideas and movements raising their heads around the globe:

the first, and most obvious, is the slow movement.
i’m completely enamored with this approach to living, working, eating – and especially learning! where do i sign up to be part of a “slow school”? (giggle if you must.)

being part of the fast-food-style education system, yet striving to remain human and sane (and to teach my students how to be human and sane), has opened my eyes to a number of changes that are necessary. much can be gleamed from this excerpt taken from the “slow education” page of the slow movement website:

The process [of education] is about things like how are ideas conceptualised, how can we support learning and the knowing of how to learn, as well as the love of learning and investigating. 

Slow education is also about connection to knowledge and to learning – real learning. It is about leading a skilful life – doing no harm – and having respect for all living and non-living things.

 this connects nicely to the next idea that keeps popping up:
our current systems, curricula and approaches to education (life) are outdated and failing our children.

A new favorite of mine, Sir Ken Robinson, has quite a few things to say about this. I stumbled onto his genius on TED.com – check him out if you get a chance. for those in a rush, here’s a cool glimpse of what he suggests:

makes you think ;0)