The Observation Deck

Dave Eggers, author of What is the What?, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, and editor of [/i]McSweeney's Quarterly Review, recently outlined an interesting challenge in his acceptance of the TED prize. The TED conference is a gathering of one thousand of the earth's most profound and prodigious thinkers. The winner of the TED prize receives $100,000 and a wish. Yep, a wish. Eggers' wish involves forging a closer, and much needed, relationship between the tremendous intellectual capital held by our citizenry and the incredible potential of our young people.

I was hoping that interested individuals would listen to his talk and begin kicking around the idea that Lakewood could help to fulfill his wish.

Here's the link --> http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/233[/url]

On another note, I am going to re-introduce and expand the "Walk Across Lakewood" project that I used with my 9th graders at LHS two-years ago. For those not aware, scroll down on the Observation Deck and read my students' conversation as they "discovered" a city in which most of them had lived all of their lives. I would love any input or recommendations concerning how to best have my students encounter Lakewood within an educational setting. I look forward to a more "open-source" classroom experience for my students next year.

As a philosphical piece of background, check out this brilliant talk by Sir Ken Robinson entitled, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

Here's the link --> http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66[url][/url][/i]

thanks for posting this - Eggers is my favorite author

And Ted is my favorite website.

I strongly suggest that you all watch Marjora Carters talk on recapturing land and giving it back for use in the community. This project is totally amazing and speaks to urban sustainability, alternative energy sources and renewable resources.

Sean Wheeler wrote: As a philosphical piece of background, check out this brilliant talk by Sir Ken Robinson entitled, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

Here's the link --> http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/66[url][/url][/i]

Sean,


I am a big fan of Sir Ken Robinson. His book "Out of Our Minds" helped shape my theories on education and business. I saw that TEDtalk last year when they released it and it was very inspiring to hear him speak on the subject (the book is kind of slow).

Anyway - I do agree and see how "education" kills creativity in children. It is literally forced out of them at young age. The popular form of education (public, private, whatever) skews towards the very academic. The best book I have read on this subject is Neil Postman's "The End of Education". (referring to the desired "end" or goal of education). He advocates a more holistic "subject" lineup that provides a mix of math/reading/writing in all the subjects verses the stark academic breakdown of the typical "assembly line" school.