Great to be in the room with the legend ED Hirsch at @Policy_Exchange - what is the collective noun for a group of knowledge lovers? 
“A language deficit is also a knowledge and learning deficit.”
“Knowledge level aged 8/9 indicates knowledge level later in life”
High PISA links to common curriculum rather than individuality [summary]
“Not every part of the brain is nature vs nurture...”
“... any form of knowledge or behaviour can be taught” (see neocortex)
“We don’t have a fundamental inherent developmental blueprint”
We can’t start with the instinct of the child (Dewey). Classroom books of varying interests. Child can pick their own book. This engage their interests. Seen as inappropriate to guide child.
We would be better at reading if we didn’t have this situation. [Summary]
We would be better at reading if we didn’t have this situation. [Summary]
Ethnicity is result of socialisation - babies born in England, grow up English! This is part of neocortex.
“Indivual nature is not fixed”
We are not a blank slate, but we are not a developmental blueprint.
“Indivual nature is not fixed”
We are not a blank slate, but we are not a developmental blueprint.
If we get early education right, and ensure language is right, we will get later education right.
“Skills are domain specific.... you need deep knowledge to be skilful...
no such thing as general skills”
- schools aim for general skills!
no such thing as general skills”
- schools aim for general skills!
Background knowledge - countries that do well in reading, do well in science for example.
Situation focus - knowing in the actual situation
Speech community - the unspoken in knowing the spoken... a child in the Bronx will know nothing of “Polly put the kettle on”
Situation focus - knowing in the actual situation
Speech community - the unspoken in knowing the spoken... a child in the Bronx will know nothing of “Polly put the kettle on”
“Simple insights into language illuminate complexities of education policy.”
“Effective teaching must be formed into a Speech community”
Classroom needs to look at explicit and implicit meaning of words. Necessary to have carefully planned out sequence of topics.
“Need for scaffolding in the unspoken domains of knowledge; the background knowledge.”
“Scaffolding of commonality is key for democratic education... and schools who have done this have thrived.”
“Kids love the power of knowledge”
“A national curriculum is logically what is needed.”
“Professors never change their mind... you need to wait for the next generation. Especially education professors!” 🤣
Great response to @Miss_Snuffy question on why more schools haven’t signed up to knowledge curriculums.
Great response to @Miss_Snuffy question on why more schools haven’t signed up to knowledge curriculums.
“Maths isn’t natural. It’s a learned subject. Even though nature confirms”
Is it genes that really matter? Lots of current arguments about this. Good q by @daisychristo
“If a more coherent education helps everybody, that’s a good thing.... genes / brains doesn’t change the argument for a better education.”
“If a more coherent education helps everybody, that’s a good thing.... genes / brains doesn’t change the argument for a better education.”
“No one has had more profound effect on recent British education than ED Hirsch” - @NickGibbUK
“What better way to spend our third wedding anniversary than a lecture with ED Hirsch?” @NickGibbUK - happy anniversary!
“The tide is turning on knowledge based education... teaching ‘mere facts’, or what we call knowledge... we need to give children the knowledge they need.” - N Gibb
