Vietnam’s impressive results in the 2012 Program for International Student Assesment (PISA) became a big surprise following their publication last December. Vietnam ranked 17 among the 61 participating countries and its Mathematics score was 511, which is higher than the 494 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries average. This is particularly … [Lee más...] about The Big Surprise: Vietnam
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Saved by the bell
When I was in school I could not wait for the 3 pm bell to ring, indicating the day was done. For me, a 6 hour day was more than enough! Thus, it does not surprise me that a proposal currently being discussed in England to extend the school day to 9 or 10 hours and reducing vacation time from 13 to 7 weeks is generating lots of controversy. The potential possible benefits … [Lee más...] about Saved by the bell
And you, do you want your children to be teachers?
Suppose you have a son (or nephew, godson, or young friend) who is a professional and tomorrow he is offered a job with the promise to "earn between 30% and 70% less than other professionals of the same age and with the same years of education." He is also told that "three out of six available job positions in this field do not have telephones and, on top of that, two … [Lee más...] about And you, do you want your children to be teachers?
Let’s score in Brazil and in PISA!
On June 15th, 2014, Ecuador will participate in the World Cup for the third time in the country’s history, measuring itself against the best soccer teams on the planet. One year later, Ecuador will measure, for the first time, the knowledge and skills of its 15 year olds in reading, math, and science through the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). How are … [Lee más...] about Let’s score in Brazil and in PISA!
“Radical new teaching method” may not be that new: have we had the answer all along?
A prominent American technology magazine recently made a bold declaration splashed across its glossy covers in newsstands nationwide. They had discovered the “next Steve Jobs,” a prodigy with the potential to revolutionize how we live our lives by thinking creatively, differently about the world. Where do you think this wunderkind was discovered? Who do you picture when you … [Lee más...] about “Radical new teaching method” may not be that new: have we had the answer all along?
