The elephant in the classroom | Andrew Ford | TEDxMacquarieUniversity

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. It is no longer the ‘technology era’ but the 'human era'. For the first time, anyone within
developed society has choices for every aspect of life. This provides freedom
and uncertainty. We need to prepare our children for a future where they must make choices
both for themselves and society’s expectations. There is an elephant in the classroom - its
called 'standardisation'.
As one of seven children growing up on a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney, Andrew was a busy (but undisciplined) student who always looked for the easiest way to do something. He left home before finishing school and immediately moved into the sales arena. His successful sales leadership career includes having a successful commercial furniture business. Seven years ago he began working as a consultant assisting large companies (& then schools) with process improvement and change management, using the physical space as a catalyst for effective human engagement.
Andrew is a passionate advocate for change, market disruption and economic effectiveness with the express intent that these things enable people to be all that they can be. He has more recently been working within the education sector to provide a better environment for student and teacher engagement. He has redesigned the education space & furnishings within individual schools, developed their strategies for change and observed the incredible positive effects of this on both student and teacher. He has also witnessed the misery caused by bureaucratic economic rationalism. Andrew believes that there is an urgent need for holistic change within the western industrial education system, not just for the benefit of our children but for our societies and our culture.
Andrew is currently completing his final subjects for an MBA at Macquarie Graduate School of Management, with distinctions in Organisational Behaviour and Change Management. He recently led a team of 3 other students to win PwC’s Strategic Management Competition. His recent study of 5 schools leading change has hardened his resolve for the education system to be overhauled.
When not arguing for change, Andrew relaxes with his lovely wife, beautiful daughters and their big black dog.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Пікірлер: 17

  • @mahendrabdr.kathet2589
    @mahendrabdr.kathet25894 жыл бұрын

    I am jealous, how to gain that sort of knowledge and skills of speaking. I love it.

  • @CLBOO6
    @CLBOO68 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Andrew Ford for pointing out something about teachers as well. God knows everyone talks about the students all the time and it seems like no one cares about the teachers.

  • @andrewford5616
    @andrewford56169 жыл бұрын

    just to be sure - I love all our kids and our teachers (including the gifted ones)

  • @lisw1354

    @lisw1354

    5 жыл бұрын

    Hey andrew, i just wondered, have you read Opening Minds from Peter. H. Johnston? I guess you already did, but if not please do so!

  • @trevorvyner4466
    @trevorvyner44669 жыл бұрын

    Great talk Andrew and very well delivered. Some great insights. Your comment on the youth suicide rate in South Korea really hit home - we need to think deeply about all the implications on how we tackle this issue.

  • @declanbrennan1566
    @declanbrennan15669 жыл бұрын

    Excellent thought provoking content passionately delivered.

  • @HarpreetSingh-uh8vj
    @HarpreetSingh-uh8vj7 жыл бұрын

    Great video..

  • @mszhao3451
    @mszhao34513 жыл бұрын

    There needs to be analysis on which students are performing well academically and academics need to build an understanding based on qualitative data as to why those students are performing. And address the problem. So far political reasons have been discussed, teacher performance. But no one has been talking about student and parental attitude towards education. And AUstralian Education System should hold back students who do not achieve the basic outcomes for each academic stage.

  • @mszhao3451
    @mszhao34513 жыл бұрын

    What annoys me is the lack of discussion around one of the key players in the Australian education system for students of Year 12 and under. Why doesn't anyone discuss the influential role parents and carers play in the success of the student's performance. As a teacher of 10 years, I have worked in a number of school across different levels of affluence in Sydney. I have witnessed the efforts made by teacher to help students strive for their best. There is always a certain group of student who do not value education and have very little incentive to perform. What is common amongst those students is the attitude toward education shared by their parents or caregivers. We need to start discussing the attitude of parents and caregiver and make them more accountable for their child's academic performance. A child will not be capable to think critically or develop higher order academic skills if they have not grasped the basic skills. And why aren't we putting pressure on parents and caregiver to ensure their children succeed in grasping basic skills? The emphasis that we put on teachers, who works in a ratio of 1: up to 30 in primary school or 1:ratio of up to 200 in a high school settling, is unjust. Parents and caregiver must be held accountable. One of the first phone calls I made to a parent as a beginning teacher was to inform the parent her child did not submit their assignment. The parent said their child did not receive the assignment notification because he was absent and she said it is not fair for her child to see me during his lunch or recess to get his assignment. Therefore, my influence on a child, who comes from a home with that type of parental attitude towards education, will be very little. And the pandemic is that there are far too many parents who take a relaxed attitude towards their children's academic endeavors in Australian.

  • @andrewwahba5006
    @andrewwahba50068 жыл бұрын

    I just started teaching (first year ever) in an inner city school in Ohio, USA. I agree, that we need to change the dynamics in classrooms, and I've believed this since before I even decided I wanted to be a teacher. But I have a serious concern about this. My students are not the most well behaved. I have a crate full of broken lab ware in the back of the room. I have desks with graffiti all over them. I have students constantly getting into fights with one another, violent ones at that. My students, as much as I love them to death, simply put, probably wouldn't be able to effectively or responsibly handle all of this expensive equipment. Or do you think they will because they will finally be able to do what comes naturally to them? tl;dr My students are not the most disciplined students, can they do something like this video suggests they will be able to? Inner city teaching is hard. Very hard.

  • @andrewford4371

    @andrewford4371

    7 жыл бұрын

    You are in a tough space but good on you for what you are doing Andrew. Each child has incredible potential and I think this is partly what could cause their anger. Who believes them? who believes IN them? (even when they are chucking tantrums and chucking furniture) Give the avenues of agency. Maybe have them take all the furniture out and bring in what they think they need. The space is meant to support the learner, that's all. John Hattie says that first; kids need teachers with an attitude to sponsor, support and coach the student. 2; students need a sense of 'place'. 3; students need to be challenged. Create a big dream, get determined and then find people who will support you. Lastly; I think discipline can be over-rated. first comes a sense of purpose (of being). Discipline comes from that. A great runner becomes a great runner because they like running and they want to be a great runner. Then they train! Cheers Andrew

  • @WishUponAHorse
    @WishUponAHorse5 жыл бұрын

    watching this 5 years later and sad that no positive change has occurred. The system has gotten worse and there are now two rhinos in the room :(

  • @weeearthlings
    @weeearthlings7 жыл бұрын

    I'm a new teacher and loved what this guy had to say about personalized learning - but those classrooms looked so plastic and sterile. Not kid friendly at all. Obesity, ADD, depression, 'text neck' - Most Aussie kids need LESS contact with technology for both biological and psychological health. To engage the senses they need the outdoors, natural textures and patterns, contact with soil and natural light, not to mention movement! 'Bio-mimicry' is a huge area of innovation - where we integrate and imitate natural processes - science, design, energy we're finding nature had it right in every area... How can we innovate to in this way if we have no contact or understanding of the real world outside? The learning environment should reflect the innate wisdom of living systems including our own bodies. Not pretend the human can exist, and be complete, a separate from the earth.

  • @andrewford4371

    @andrewford4371

    7 жыл бұрын

    I agree with you weeearthlings. The learning space is to be a place where humans connect. In the first instance, you create a space that can help change to occur, but once the space is created you can let go of it and realise that the capacities lie within both the teacher and the student and should be done anywhere and everywhere. We are getting there to create more 'naturalised' environments; similar to how we are creating cities that invite nature in.

  • @saviodias7747

    @saviodias7747

    4 жыл бұрын

    Wish I would have learnt how to create and maintain a veg and fruit garden, about plants, trees and other life skills. How to deal with animals and humans. How to live sustainable and self providing. Basically how to create a wonderful, natural life. And to hone my talents and jmprove the life skills Im not naturally talented at. My high school in the Netherlands crushed my soul, and energy instead. Simething in me wanted to be a school teacher bit I dont know if I could work in that prison with all the rules, besides im 36 now here Id have to study for 6 yrs to be a high school teacher (already been teaching art and yoga for 12 yrs but not in high school), thats just too much for me. Schools didnt allow me to try to teach some English classes, I would like to experience it.

  • @bastiatintheandes4958
    @bastiatintheandes49585 жыл бұрын

    You will never have any change unless you are willing to actually SEE the elephant in the classroom: the state. Are you ready for REAL change?

  • @charliechaplin7959

    @charliechaplin7959

    5 жыл бұрын

    Bastiat in the Andes oh you libertarians are such a joke.

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