The Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce is an organization that “seeks to develop and promote new ways of thinking about human fulfillment and social progress.” From viewing their website and youtube channel, they remind me of the TED organization – Technology, Entertainment and Design.
A friend, who works in the higher education field, sent me a link to a RSA youtube video, in which Sir Ken Robinson give a speech about how the current educational system is outdated and how that is effecting our economy. Sir Robinson makes some very enlightened observations about why our educational system is in need of being overhauled. The animation provided is very well designed and creative.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
In January 2010, Tennessee Legislature passed “The Complete College Act” in attempt address some of the short falls of the state’s college and university system. The main piece of this legislation was to change how the college/university’s are funded. Instead of receiving state funds based on how many student are enrolled at a institution, the act required funding to be dispersed based on the success of the institution. Their efforts won them $500 million dollars from the federal government, in the form of “Race to the Top” grant. Tennessee was one of only two states to receive this grant.
Recently, the Montgomery County Commissioner passed a tax increase to help fund our local school system, mainly by improving infrastructure. Some opponents of the tax increase argued increased funding won’t fix the educational problems and suggested the administration be creative and find more effective ways to use taxpayers dollars.
In light of the these challenges to education in our state, I thought I would share the RSA video with my readers. I found it very interesting and thought provoking. I hope you will as well.
Here are some teasers that are addressed in the videos:
- Why do we group children in classes by age instead of skill? Is this appropriate?
- Why kids don’t believe a college degree leads to a good job…and why they are right?
- What can a map of the USÂ teach us about the ADHD epidemic
Useful Links
- TED – http://www.ted.com/
- The RSA – http://www.thersa.org/
- Info on the Complete Colege Act – http://state.tn.us/thec/complete_college_tn/complete_college_tn.html
