Ahead in the Count

a monthly newsletter for independent school leaders

September 1, 2021

 

Freedom and Dignity

 

In this issue of Ahead in the Count, I mount one of my most reliable hobbyhorses: a now decades-long quest to diagnose the queasiness I feel whenever I encounter unabashed boosterism for digital tools in the classroom, and more specifically, asynchronous tools, a distinction that the pandemic has helped us learn. I've written about this topic many times and for many audiences in the last 25 years, and I've found other, much more thoughtful writers on the topic: Jaron Lanier, Nicholas Carr, and Audrey Watters, whose new book, Teaching Machines: A History of Personalized Learning, pre-ordered months ago, hit my doorstep on Friday. And that's what I did this weekend, along with writing a review of it. I've included it here along with a piece I wrote almost two years ago on the problematic relationship between digital instruction tools and dignity. 

 

Review: Teaching Machines

My review of Audrey Watters' new book on the history of personalized learning in American schools. Spoiler alert: it's not new. 

 
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Socrates Hacked It

Families who came to independent schools last year are the marketing opportunity of a lifetime. Treat them like they are new again this year.

 
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Head of School and Learning Center

 

Gowan Group is assisting Miriam Foundation in its search for a Head of School and Learning Center for July 2022. Deadline for applications is Sept. 3. Inquire immediately!

 
Position Description

How Can We Help You?

 

At Knuckleball Consulting we provide services in enrollment assessment, leadership search, governance, and leadership coaching.  Contact us now; we look forward to the conversation.

 
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