We exchange opinions here about different fields of science, we often talk about new scientific and technical news, etc. I would like to propose topics from a different area, namely education. However, I will refer to the working methods borrowed from the world of IT.
If we look at the Polish education system, we can easily notice that the main objectives and principles have a very old structure dating back to the industrial age. The world is changing rapidly, access to information is virtually unlimited. Being knowledgeable becomes inadequate, abilities is more important. The process of acquiring knowledge is less significant than knowledge itself.
Students often lack the fundamental social skills that are necessary in the labor market. I have found quite interesting website about the use of scrum in education.
- Do you agree with my diagnosis?
- What do you think about using Scrum in education?
- Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
- Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
What do you think about using Scrum in education?
ReplyDeleteThe eduScrum method allows students to take responsibility for the learning process. The teacher's role is completely different, he becomes an adviser, he supports students in their own search and activities. Students, in turn, set goals, estimate their resources (skills, talents, interests, interests), plan educational activities and implement them. At the same time, they systematically check whether the steps taken actually bring them closer to the goal, or if the chosen methods of learning serve them. Using Scrum, students not only learn, but also learn how to study, how to solve problems, how to design their own activities, how to set goals and how to implement them. All of this while maintaining the requirements of the core curriculum.
Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Forcing students to work in a team and creative exchange of ideas increases their social skills. I do not know a better method to learn how to work in a team.
Do you see any other working methods that can be effective in education?
Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt in the '70s created the Theory of Constraints - in short TOC, which was true of enterprises, but quickly it was said that it could be used in almost every area of life, especially in education.
TOC provides thought tools for mapping processes. Eliyahu has come from mapping processes in manufacturing companies, but TOC tools are used to illustrate our thinking and understanding that may apply to anything.
The visual method of presenting different issues makes it easier for children to communicate. By giving a graphic structure to your thoughts, children learn to communicate what they think and feel. But above all, they develop critical thinking.
Thank you for your answer, I have not heard about this method but I would like to read about it
DeleteDo you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your diagnosis. Polish education system lacks in preparing pupils for working in group, communicate effective or innovate.
What do you think about using Scrum in education?
Core Scrum values and pillars on which these values are build can be easily incorporated in education system
Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes, especially on communication and emotional intelligence
Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I think there should be mandatory major on design thinking during whole learning process, and beside of this it should be also incorporated in other majors
Thank you for your comment and for your accurate and concise remarks.
DeletePolish educational system is outdated, old-fashioned and totally incompatible with market, employers' needs and expectations towards their employees. To be honest, incorporatingany of the modern working/learning methods would make a hige difference, nevertheless one has to bear in mind that the whole system is in really bad shape and what is really needed is an educational revolution, so incorporating one method into system will not make a change. One would have to work on educating teachers, changing the way schools work, their curriculum, provide appropriate, modern tools, prepare the whole step-by-step project led by experts to make the new system work properly and adjust it to the employment market needs. It would take years to make a difference. Anyway, in my opinion this is just wishful thinking, because I'm not so sure if the politicians really care about education.Intelectually challenged nation is far easier to manipulate.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your opinions with us - I fully agree with you...
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteOf course, you're right, education is probably one of the areas where nothing has changed for a very long time. No one takes into account changes in the economy or the labor market. Education is completely ineffective and does not prepare for life to the smallest extent. What is worse, the curriculum does not take into account the changes, because they are time-consuming, require a lot of work, and with teachers' salaries and their duties there is no possibility for such effort.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
When it comes to the idea itself, it seems to be interesting, but it is rather a motodology of teaching and checking results rather than a change in the curriculum. It is important to involve teachers who would have to put a lot of work and pay attention to the welfare of the pupils. In fact, checking progress in such time intervals makes sense.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
I think so, because it will require more interaction with other people, more communication as well as realising own progress.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I think that there is a lack of motivation, practical teaching, short training in areas such as finance. At work there is much more interaction with people, team work and reliance on other members. Group projects could be used.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. I agree with you that deep changes are needed but unfortunately people who manage education are usually quite conservative or do not see the need for change ...
Delete1) Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteYes, your diagnosis is correct. The level of education in Poland has not been changed for years. Some people thought that the introduction of currently closed middle schools would allow young people to adapt, but research has shown that it was not a very happy idea.
2) What do you think about using Scrum in education?
The results obtained in education should be checked. This method seems to be perfect for this purpose. Just introducing it as a method of verification of memorized information, not a teaching method.
3) Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
I think a big impact. It would lead to greater cooperation in the team. It would force people to communicate with each other and talk. Today, people are often closed in boxes and everybody is locked in their world. In my opinion, this is not the way! Only a shared morning coffee and discussion lead to finding good solutions. But this is probably a separate topic.
4) Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I believe that any method that in the long run, also transferred from business, will increase the effectiveness of the team's work is good. Whether taken from business or philosophy, or from Jediizm or Jedi Religion, there is no mention if it will be effective.
Thank you for your opinion, unfortunately, more and more young people turn private contacts face to face on social media and this brings with it a number of consequences ...
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteTo a large extent, yes. But then, our education system is not necessarily at its best. It used to be more rigorous and this was on the whole more effective. There was enough competitive incentive for the best and brightest, the intellectual middle class was held to a high standard, and then there were some "children left behind" (to reference a government program). Now we have put niceness first, and as a result nobody performs at an optimal level.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
It's somewhat exotic, and probably it won't strike root after the novelty wears off. However, SCRUM has some recorded achievements in helping teams perform in whatever the're doing (even if they're actually just programming most of the time).
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
It's hard to tell with certainty. On one hand such teamwork projects have been tried. At the technical university we had quite a few projects done in groups of 4. There were just 2 types of said groups: 1 performer + 3 freeloaders, or 2+2. If by 'social skills' you mean 'leeching off', then yes, many people learned that. I was asked once (just once) by the lecturer, how much credit should specific persons get. I told him that Marcin and I should get a 5, and the other two 3s. Our two friends were not contesting this decision, actually they were happy to get a pass.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Maybe I'll manage to bring it up, before anybody else does: Kanban, GTD (Getting Things Done), S&T (Show and Tell). Just to name a few. Some of them have analogues at schools currently (student projects, theater plays etc.), and some don't and could be tried.
Thank you for your comment, I agree with you that the problem is to evaluate group work, or rather the lack of a sense of responsibility among some people working in teams...
DeleteI do not understand complaining about the education system. After all, this system in basic education is no different from what it is in other countries. Unfortunately, there is a big difference in learning English. More advanced textbooks, guides and, of course, articles are written in this language. Thanks to the knowledge of this language it is possible to develop research and knowledge. Secondary school students have more knowledge than their peers from Western countries. On the other hand, the contribution to the development of students' knowledge is low. At reputable universities, there is cooperation between teachers and students. Unfortunately, in Poland there is no such cooperation.
ReplyDeleteI do not know whether this is a scientifically proven method of learning. In relation to the above question, this does not apply to Polish language students anyway, because their studies are insufficient.
I do not understand the approach to learning in terms of social competences. Currently, research projects are split into individuals who are experts in a given field. The results of the research are summarized by a leader who dedicates conclusions from them. Most researchers work independently and send their results and conclusions to the leader.
Thank you for sharing your opinion, I agree that as a nation we have less communication skills than other societies
Delete1 Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteYes, I do. The main problem is that pupils have to gain so much knowledge that it is imposible to remember it for a longer time. It is unnecessary work.
2 What do you think about using Scrum in education?
It is corect direction but it don't solve all problems.
3 Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes, I do. Most of people like to solve problems with help of other team members. But there are some who never learn to cooperate because they don't need cooperation to reach thair goals.
4 Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Some of business people do a lot of sports. It is good habit learning how to work hard and constantly measure ones progress.
Thanks. In my opinion, every commitment that a person makes shapes positive qualities in them and sport also has an important health aspect...
DeleteAt work we just use the project management method SCRUM, It would be good to introduce it into the educational sphere.
ReplyDelete1 Do you agree with my diagnosis?
Yes, definitely yes, I believe that the education sector requires a reformation. This would give a bonus to a lot of students, help them find work faster. and increase your knowledge base
2 What do you think about using Scrum in education?
I would be interested to see how it was introduced into the sphere of education. I believe that this reform would greatly help society.
3 Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes, I think so. I think education should give not only knowledge but also the skills of social communication. And communication is just as important as education itself.
4 Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I think there are many methods of reformable education. But unfortunately I do not know more business processes, I'm just a programmer :(
Thank you for the answer, for those interested in the 23 May at the pedagogical department of the Warsaw University is a conference on the use of scrum in education
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteOf course, the Polish education system definitely needs to be rebuilt in order to make the best use of the currently available development opportunities.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
This approach is very interesting and could change a lot in the education system. However, it would have to be well tested on different groups of students in Polish conditions.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Working in a group and solving problems together can make a significant contribution to the development of social competences. Exercises of this kind already at school level can help a lot in your future professional career.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I don't know the methods used in business very well. However, I believe that all the methods that can stimulate creative thinking and help to better cooperate in a group should be used.
I agree with you that methods stimulating creative thinking are very important...
Delete1.Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. Polish education system really need to reformation.
2.What do you think about using Scrum in education?
I never thought about it but I have to say that it would be really good idea.
3.Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Group solving problem could be good idea and will improve social competence.
But I don't have idea how to give mark? What with weaker students?
4.Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Unfortunately I don't know other business methos of working.
Thanks for active participation in the discussions. Yes, not everyone has the same predispositions. But the use of this method could teach students to look for their strengths and weaknesses and to undertake tasks consistent with their skills
DeleteHi, Wieslaw,
ReplyDeletethank you for interesting and important issue.
I agree that children have more difficult challenge than we had in respect of social skills development. We are surrounded by technology achievements, in the middle of many systems, and young people have already different DNA – they don’t know world different than such “0” – “1” polarized. Linking this with very conservative contemporary Polish educational system, we receive no consequent mess. For parents, this is really difficult to influence on children, to motivate them to work at school.
I think modern tools, like Scrum, can bring benefits in order to solve the mess mentioned above. But like all tools, it must be used properly, proportionally to other ways and educational ideas. And it cannot replace physical contact with teacher and other students, it can only supply and support it.
It can have positive impact on social competences, because for the reasons I indicated in the beginning, we have to look some new ways to influence on kids. Such modern tool can be interesting for them, and clever adult is able to direct this interest properly.
As for methods taken from business, I’d choose for example working outside “headquarters” – i.e. school. I mean organizing some lessons in natural conditions or different places, changing surroundings and circumstances from time to time to energize kids, to activate their creativity.
Best,
Marta
Thank you Marta for your answer. I agree with you - such organized learning process would be more interesting, but there are many problems and formalities which effectively limit this type of solutions
DeleteDo you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI can agree with diagnosis that polish education system is old and do not put pressure on learning social skills. Now people need help to learn social skills more than ever before. However I cannot agree that being knowledgeable is not important anymore. We really need knowledge to make good decisions, to use our abilities in 100%, to understand culture, art and to provide meaningful conversations. The problem is that knowledge in school is perceived as something to learn by heart and forget after the test. It shouldn't be
What do you think about using Scrum in education?
I think that after proper adaptation to school realities it may bring benefits to education system.
Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes I think that it may help to develop social skills. Children won't be forced then to sit in a classroom and listen to the teacher but to look for their own way to learn and develop. They will consult their progress and talk more with a teacher and other classmates. They will have more trust to teacher who is mentor not someone who punish them for not learning.
Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I think that there may be some other methods but I can't think of any that have not been mentioned yet.
Thank you Kasia for your post. I agree with you, learning is seen as memorizing information. This is, in my opinion, the reason for the low motivation to learn for some people. Ideally, it would be like the school was seen as an institution that teaches understanding of the processes in the modern world...
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your diagnosis. Nowadays skills and experience are more important than theoretical knowledge alone. I found out about it myself when I was looking for a job. Businesses are willing to hire a person without completed studies, but with extensive experience. There was an entry on the blog of dobreprogamy.pl about the need for studies.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
Scrum in education could introduce a small revolution and perhaps pass the exam. Students would learn what they need to carry out the tasks outlined by the teacher. They would learn the systematic and responsibility for the work done. In addition to theoretical knowledge they would acquire practical knowledge. The classes would certainly look more interesting and the student would more than take them out.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
I think so. Students would learn to work in groups, take responsibility for the tasks, support each other and work for the good of the team.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Yes. A good example is the Redmine system. Thanks to it, you can learn systematic and planning. This would positively affect the student's time and work effectiveness.
Thank you, I haven’t heard about this system. I have read the description. This is a useful solution ...
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeletePartially - yes. But I noticed we too often dismiss knowledge of facts as not important. I don't think that unlimited access to information (even if it would be all trustworthy and systematic, it is not) beats general knowledge of basic facts of the world. We can't think of something we don't even know exists.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
Scrum started as nice movement, but then fossilized and lost its charm. Even some signatories of original manifest now claim that "scrum is dead". I'm afraid that scrum when applied to education in Poland would end up in endless discussion "how long should sprint last", rather than what is really important in scrum: measuring performance and fine-tuning the processes.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
I think yes, even when implemented in typical clumsy way, it would boost *social* competences.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
The main purpose of business (making money) is quite different than on education. I think working methods of free software movenement would do good when applied to textbooks, but previous attempt to create free/libre textbooks was reduced in public discourse to "free of charge textbooks" and killed after 2 years.
Thanks for your post. The free school textbook was a noble idea. I know people who were involved in working on them when nobody talked about it ... Unfortunately, this solution posed a threat to the interests of educational publishing companies...
DeleteI'm not sure if gaining social school is a formal part of education, many of "soft competitions" can be acquired by spending time with peers and education system forces students to do that. Students have to change schools (for example from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school), meet new people, make new friends, speak in public, discuss etc.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you're right that education system should be more adaptive. Unfortunately, it's too dangerous to let schools to self-adapt, I think that education system has to be centrally controlled and changes have to take required time, but it differently needs to change in many areas.
Thank you for your answer. Very often, contact by phone or social media wins with the conversation face to face :-(
DeleteDo you agree with my diagnosis? I totally agree. However, changing that will be a very long and tedious process.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about using Scrum in education? I'm gonna hate that. Scrum is just useless in most cases. Why? Most companies have no idea how to correctly implement it and they are changing it freely.
Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Probably, it's hard to guess. No one will try that on a scale large enough to evaluate results.
Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Avoid using SCRUM in education... People are mentioning Redmine, god save the queen... It won't teach you systematic learning and so on.
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you that modifications of this method can bring bad results and we have relatively little advice on using it in this area
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI agree only partially. Such situation obviously occurs but everyone should have general knowledge. It is necessary to verify information that is virtually unlimited. Some basic knowledge is also needed in everyday life, not only at work.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
I think that this may be an interesting solution, although I am not convinced that it would be the best in the area of education. We will not find out if we do not check this method.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes, I think it would have a great impact on their social competencies. Communication, teamwork and responsibility will definitely improve.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I have to idea but I suppose that I used some of them unconsciously, such as multimedia presentations.
Thank you for your answer. Of course, having general knowledge is very important, but the dynamic development of the world demands new skills that are poorly accented in the current system.
Delete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteYes I agree. Our education is in total mess. It should be changed.
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
To be honest I don’t believe that it could work. In Scrum we understand the goal that we want to achieve, we understand the direction. Often it would be impossible to achieve same situation in education
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Social competences could be improved thanks to that for sure.
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
No. Education and business are very different. They may have common goals, but methods to achieve them are totally different from my point of view.
Thank you for your post. Understanding the goal is a very important element in every activity. Without understanding the goal, it is harder to achieve high motivation.
Delete1) Do you agree with my diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Polish educational system is outdated. On it's all grades: from the primary school, high school and even college.
2) What do you think about using Scrum in education? Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
It's hard to say because of the teaching staff. Even in Polish IT companies, there is a problem with proper scrum handling.
3) Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
Yes, paid overtime. Seriously, if only homework would become a method to get paid (and to get know a little bit more), it would create a heterogeneous environment in which his/her engagement and skills would create the status of every pupil.
I’ve heard about a similar solution. Teachers awarded points for doing homework. These points were exchangeable for tickets to the cinema, swimming pool, gym, etc ... Everything was supported in the application.
Delete
ReplyDelete1. Do you agree with my diagnosis?
Yes I agree, but whole process is more complicated and even if we implement all of points that you have mentioned - situation will not be much better :). Education and whole process of growing pupils has a lot of dependencies. For instance our geographical localization (which you can not change), history (sometimes people try to manipulate it). Of course changes are required and scrum method looks perfect but - how to measure quality of education service? What will be key process indicators if you would dynamically change education process?
2. What do you think about using Scrum in education?
As I wrote before - it looks perfect in a short text or paper. Reality is much more complicated, so I hope you can agree with me :). I do not think so is it an idea that will push polish education in a higher level. But I could be wrong.
3. Do you think that such an approach would have a positive impact on social competences?
Yes I do. And it could have positive impact in different fields… but what about cons? What if it fail?
4. Do you see any other working methods taken from business, which could be effective in education?
I believe that the scrum, or any other methods that helps us to work in dynamic environment are very important in education. Trainings and internal courses, knowledge bases - where each student has to prepare reports, share its questions or suggestions. Lessons should be similar to brain storms where not only a teacher is focused on facts :)
Thank you for your comment. I see it as one of many methods but not the only one. Everyone is learning a material and later working on a project using agile methods ...
DeleteI think that improving education is very complex problem, and simple add scrum doesn’t solve it at whole.
ReplyDeleteI remember from high-school and university that some students implemented some part of scrum spontaneously. If you assume that pass the exam is a product, you can see some kind of scrum method in togetherness in learning, for example group of pupils which were good at the difference subjects shared their knowledge with the rest and explained this part of material that they known well. That was easier to pass the exam that way.
Also I think that knowledge is very important , but you can’t be the best in everything.
For example what is the point of teaching and requiring knowledge of insects mouth apparatus from
“computer geeks” at school?
Moreover in school if you want to be outstanding in something, even one field, you can’t learn all the required material from rest of the subjects. This is physically impossible.
Another problem in schools is often lack of scrum filers which is transparency, inspect and adapt.
Children doesn’t know why they are learning something, if they have good way of learning, and of course how change methods of learning or doing anything else (adapt),
You can even say that about teachers’ work.
Thanks. Maybe learning how to learn would be a good solution?
DeleteThank you all for your comments and time. Thank you for sharing your opinions. Our various professional and personal experiences significantly influence the richness of this discussion ...
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Wiesław Maleszewski