Disqus - Latest Comments for edufire

Re: Dhrumil

edufire — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:41:46 -0000

Good interview. Thx for sharing! -J

Re: dkeats.com

edufire — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:38:55 -0000

So a couple of more things to offer here that should help complete the picture of what I'm thinking. First, is that technology has the opportunity to provide scale. This means either (a) remote instruction where the instructor is not physically present with the students or (b) the recording of instruction for future playback. The first option is absolutely *fantastic* for people in parts of the world where pay scales are lower. We're already seeing this with eduFire where a teacher in a place like Argentina might charge $10/hour for private tutoring while someone teaching the same subject in the US might charge $40. BIG opportunity for people in other parts of the world similar to what we've seen with software development over the last decade.

The second option is fantastic in terms of scale. I firmly believe we'll be moving towards a model where rock star instructors will be recorded and the distribution of their content becomes more ubiquitous. Something along the lines of the Al Gore movie "An Inconvenient Truth" whereby Al is doing the "lecturing" and there is someone else who helps to facilitate the discussion, etc. It's a very different model from what we see today but I'm convinced we'll head in that direction.

Re: dkeats.com

edufire — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:52:25 -0000

Hey Derek. I enjoyed reading your post. To start off my response I'll offer that I think there is a pretty strong divide between research and teaching. It's very true, as you state, that research leads to innovation which provides a foundation for much of the great teaching that goes on. But I'll offer that this research and innovation can come from a number of different angles.

Think about how the best start-ups companies are formed. Some (e.g., Google) come out of research facilities. Others (e.g., Twitter, eBay, etc.) have no backing in traditional academia. So while a lot of the R & D that happens provides a great breeding ground for innovation it's certainly not a prerequisite.

Now look at teaching. There simply aren't the same rewards for innovation in teaching (not research) as there are for innovation in other areas of society. Virtually ever other area of society lavishes praises and rewards (financial and otherwise) on their most innovative individuals. With a few notable exception (e.g., take a look at Megastudy in Korea) that doesn't happen elsewhere or the rewards pale in comparison with what comparable rewards in the private sector.

That's the opportunity for change that we see. We see an opportunity to allow teachers to scale their expertise in ways that transcend the current system. We see an opportunity for the best teachers to become the "rock stars" of their industry and for that to be determines not by a bureaucracy but by the very people benefiting from their innovation.

Whether this happens within the walls of traditional education or outside it is not the point (e.g., we at eduFire have chosen the latter instead of the former to focus on). The point is that until education has the same intensity applied toward it that you see in other areas of society we'll simply never see the same levels of greatness.

Last week I had the opportunity to witness two amazing sporting events in the span of about 24 hours. First, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in an amazing come-from-behind playoff victory. Second, Kevin Garnett (my all-time favorite basketball player) led the Boston Celtics to an NBA title. These are two individuals who have approached their respective professions with an intensity and work ethic that is unparalleled. Figure out how to get teachers to approach their profession with the same intensity and work ethic and you'll fundamentally change the area of education and the planet as a result.

Not possible? In the jubilant post-game words of Mr. Garnett after he won the title, "Anything is possible."

And oh, by the way, the top teacher for Megastudy last year made $2 million, has fan clubs and teaches in front of sold-out sports stadiums. :)

Re: Women at Work: Chef Meredith Baird brings raw food to the movies

edufire — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:50:52 -0000

I feel the same way about sporting events. One of my life goals is to own (in part or in whole) the Minnesota Timberwolves. My intention as owner is to start offering raw/vegan/vegetarian options for people. Kudos to Meredith for providing just a little more inspiration here! :)