Category Archives: Knowledge

The Trouble with Knowledge

Posted on June 14, 2018 by suecowley

“Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.” George Orwell, 1984 When I was a child, I believed in two things that later on (to my complete astonishment) turned out to be incorrect. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Knowledge | 7 Comments

Skillz

Posted on October 20, 2017 by suecowley

A rainy winter’s night. A shabby office at the DfE. Somewhere near Watford.  Sir John: We’re thinking of rebranding knowledge post Brexit. Jasper: [splutters] Rebranding knowledge? John, surely you’re not serious? Rupert: Not enough workers, Jasper. No one wants to pick … Continue reading →

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Shift Happens

Posted on August 26, 2017 by suecowley

In an attempt at a digital detox, I’ve barely touched my computer for over a month. Apart from dealing with a handful of emails that couldn’t wait until the end of the holidays, and reading a few blogs that interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Knowledge, Learning, Technology | Leave a comment

How Will I Know?

Posted on January 11, 2017 by suecowley

Learning through experience, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), April 2016 “Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkein The idea of ‘learning through discovery’ has fallen so out of fashion in educational circles, that it seems nigh on subversive to … Continue reading →

Posted in Experience, Knowledge | 1 Comment

Bigger Than Yours

Posted on January 3, 2017 by suecowley

I have a bad memory. My mind just doesn’t retain certain (any) bits of information well, and this is particularly true when it comes to numbers. I can memorise one PIN number, but memorising that one PIN number wipes any … Continue reading →

Posted in Knowledge, Memory | 26 Comments

Holiday Knowledge

Posted on August 18, 2016 by suecowley

  (Festival Internacional de Jardins 2016, Ponte de Lima) “What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean.” Isaac Newton We know how to jump over a sprinkler, and we are at least Olympic standard at … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Holidays, Knowledge, Learning | Leave a comment

Knowledge: The First Five Years

Posted on February 17, 2015 by suecowley

When I was born I didn’t know much I knew how to scream And I knew how to touch. I didn’t know who All the big people were My eyes didn’t focus My world was a blur. But now five … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Knowledge, Learning, Play, Schools | 4 Comments

The Rules of Home School

Posted on May 23, 2014 by suecowley

1. Although we have a timetable, learning can take place at any time. 2. Your uniform is what you deem appropriate for our day’s activities. You decide. 3. Clean up after yourself (a.k.a. ‘life skills’). 4. Handwriting matters. 5. Reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Home School, Knowledge, Learning, Road School | 1 Comment

Being There

Posted on May 17, 2014 by suecowley

We’re standing at the top of Mount Vesuvius. Our feet hurt. It’s been a long hard slog to get up here. But it was worth it. Oh yes, indeed. We peer over the rail, and into the crater. Steam is … Continue reading →

Posted in Experience, Knowledge, Learning, Memory, Multi-Sensory, Road School | 6 Comments

What Does a Three Year-Old Know?

Posted on July 6, 2013 by suecowley

Tiny children are amazing. Their brains are so pliable. They soak up knowledge like a sponge. The knowledge isn’t in books, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. What we learn in the first three years are the most important … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain, Children, Communication, Early Years, Knowledge, Learning, Pedagogy | Leave a comment