Robin Fogarty and Brian M. Pete discuss their visionary framework, referred to as Teach Less, Learn More, from their educational consultant work in Singapore. Their visionary framework consists of four parts: a vision for the nation, a vision for education, the vision for implementation, and a vision for collaboration. We will look at each of these visions and how these ideas could reform 21st century skills in the classroom.
Vision One focuses on the nation as an overarching philosophy for all of nation schools. This philosophy focuses on a commitment of prestige and excellence to the educational system. Embedding in this education philosophy are foundational life skills, attitudes, and dispositions. The skills include thinking, creating, problem solving. The attitudes include collaboration, wonderment, and the dispositions include tolerance for ambiguity, and persistence. These foundational life skills, attitudes, and dispositions are taught with the idea of creating a mindset focused on innovation and enterprise. The ideals of innovation and enterprise are national goals for prosperity and well-being of the individual. Vision Two transforms 20th century education towards 21st century education by focusing on global skills of learning and innovation. These global skills include career skills, information, media, technology skills, and practical life skills. These intrinsic skills promote an interest in learning. Vision Three considers the flexibility at the local school levels and focuses on how to accommodate the immovable constraints. Singapore's leaders encourage implementation using a tight-loose-tight formula, which advocated for change through innovative thinking from the school staffs. Vision Four completes Singapore's framework of educational change through professional development at varying stages of effectiveness. Through Professional Learning Communities, the schools are accountable by their Minister of Education. Thus, the nation is creating think-tanks at classroom level, which provides insightful and inspiring teaching and learning. The mantra focus of this teaching vision is simple. Collaboration at the basic foundation of the education system creates streamlined lessons that delivers authentic learning. As these lesson ideas translate to schools around the world, teachers are encouraged to think more creatively as they collaborate, challenge one another, and change teaching for the better. Citation: Fogarty, R. and Pete, B.M. The Singapore Vision - Teach Less, Learn More, Chapter 5 |