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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lyceums...influences today?

I'm enthralled by the Lyceums educational movement from the 1830's to Civil War time, where Josiah Holbrook established a group that placed an emphasis on knowledge for self and through that came a better society. Idealistic as it was, its emphasis on educational accessibilty and learnig through engagement and speakers is remarkable similar to the way that I, we learn today. Granted many of the leaders of the time, Elizabeth Cady-Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, would be called socialist or communists today, but their philosophies were grounded in a better tomorrow through today. can you say Change. :)
We see it in a lot of educational legislation today IDEA, and the Adult Education Act, but where i see this philosophy the most is here...in blogs and other platforms. Today we see a revival of sorts in this field, as experts are everywhere and their information more accessible than probably at anytime since. As an educator, I try and follow current trends and information from the best in the field or just outside looking in. I am lucky enough to attend workshops and conferences all over the world without ever leaving my laptop. I am able to micro-blog during a staff meeting with teachers in Bangkok, Australia or Idaho who are struggling with how to engage today’s learners. Every day I share lessons, ideas, and pedagogical content with teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S and I pay no airfare, no long distance fees, and no money for the knowledge. There is something magical about the time we live in right now; and I am proud to be a part of it, albeit a minor part, but I am here nonetheless. I think that Emerson and the others would be blogging, sharing, discussing, and joining in today more than during their time.

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