Beyond the goal of teaching children to know things, to pass exams, to get through school, to find a place in the system, we need to teach children to reflect critically on what is going on around them and to ask whether that's the way it should be?' Society, success, morals, poverty, social mobility, happiness, values, mental health, relationships, aspirations, self-esteem, equity, opportunity, politics - all are linked to education. The education of individuals, the education of whole generations. But what do we mean by education and what should a 'quality education' involve in the 21st century?As one of the UK's most sought-after speakers and trainers with experience supporting schools across the world for two decades,this controversial book is Ian Gilbert telling it how it is. Drawing on his experience in the UK, the Middle East and most recentlyLatin America, it is a fascinating and controversial collection of articles, reflections and inspirations to open our eyes to whateducation is really all about.
Industry Reviews
What an engaging read, splattered with gems which will make you think and thinkagain about life, living, dying and what education, teaching and schools are, and how, at their best, they might excite and influence. Idiosyncratic it is, with its Thunks and its apparent kaleidoscopic randomness, but all the more worth reading because, or despite of, all that.Christopher Day, Professor of Education, University of Nottingham For 20 years Ian Gilbert's company Independent Thinking has encouraged us to think independently. Never has that been more important. His new book is a wonderful celebration of how education should be about more than value-added: it should be 'values-added'. Ian Gilbert exudes strong values and clear principles. His writing is endlessly inventive and refreshing, and his ideas serve as an uplifting antidote to an educational world which can too often feel dispiriting, mechanical and joyless. This is a book to read and keep returning to, to rejuvenate us in the darker days of term-time. Highly recommended.Geoff Barton, Head Teacher, King Edward VI School, Suffolk Ian Gilbert has provided us with a wonderful, entertaining smorgasbord of a read. The author offers insights into his personal history and charts the ways in which this has influenced his own intellectual development. In doing so, he continually challenges our assumptions and delivers some perceptive comments on current educational practice. Although the book differers from conventional educational offerings, readers will undoubtedly find themselves forced to rethink their ideas about the best way to prepare today's children for life in tomorrow's world.Professor Maurice Galton, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge I enjoyed the latest book by my namesake - but not relative I should hasten to add!Independent Thinking is a teacher-friendly book in many ways. First, for busy classroom teachers, like me, it can be dipped in and out of and you'
