Description
Book SynopsisAmericans have seen it all in education over the last twenty years: charter schools, vouchers, private schools, ever-changing sets of technology, increased funding for schools, decreased funding for schools, accountability measures for teachers, and on and on. These schemes never seem to make any real changes in student outcomes. This is because the obsolete educational system is simply not compatible with what we now know about how students learn and how teachers are developed and sustained. Beyond Obsolete: How to Upgrade Classroom Practice and School Structure delves into the history of Western Civilization, shows how a misunderstanding of this history informs our current educational system, and then makes a broad argument for a full-scale upgrade in teacher practice (the software) and school structure (the hardware). If educational reform is to be achieved, then superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals etc. will have to be declared obsolete. Educ
Trade ReviewChris Edwards is one of the most interesting and creative integrative thinkers working across multiple disciplines—science, history, and education—to put together a program for examine our past and present in a new light with an aim toward improving our educational system, which hasn’t had a hardware upgrade or software update in centuries. Beyond obsolete indeed! Reading this sparkling book is to see the world anew. -- Michael Shermer, publisher, Skeptic magazine; monthly columnist, Scientific American; presidential fellow, Chapman University; author, "Heavens on Earth", "The Moral Arc", "The Believing Brain", and other books
I have followed the development of Chris Edwards’ thinking about the U.S. educational system through his writing and lectures. His analysis of its “software” and “hardware” is revolutionary and brilliant. Dr. Edwards’ critique of how America educates, or doesn’t, our children raises the alarm and offers solutions. Every educator and person concerned about the state of public education should read Beyond Obsolete. -- Jeff Rasley, Scientech Club President
Scattered across world history are points of genius. If one connects these dots, as Edwards urges his students to do, the arc of modern Western civilization emerges. Its accomplishments are due in large part to successful development of science and higher education. However, Edwards argues, America’s secondary education is stuck in a feudal structure and ripe for its own intellectual revolution. These essays represent the voice of a classroom teacher decrying the institutionalized education leadership and its misguided attempts to manage a failing public school system. -- John Langdon, PhD, Professor of Biology and Anthropology, University of Indianapolis
Good things happen when a very bright, experienced and talented teacher has the courage to take a hard look at what is happening in education. Dr. Chris Edwards is just that person. His book, Beyond Obsolete really puts the hammer down on many current practices and proposes a brave new world of ways to improve the transfer of knowledge from experts to students. He is dedicated to empowering teachers in ways that will make them better and make their life in the classroom more enjoyable. This is a very stimulating addition to the literature of education. -- Richard W. Garrett, Author, "The Kids Are Smart Enough, So What’s the Problem? A businessman’s Perspective on Educational Reform and the Teacher Crisis"
Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Civilization, Science, and Genius Chapter Two: The Scientific Revolution and Western Civilization: New Understandings Chapter Three: Platonic Fallacies, Big History, and Education Chapter Four: Software Update Chapter Five: Hardware Update and Compatibility Conclusion
