Silagh White

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Wisdom from Sir Ken Robinson.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DW_iY7ujWIO/?igsh=eHg1czBjbDNqYjVz

“The role of a teacher is to facilitate learning. That’s it.” In this clip from his TED Talk How to Escape Education’s Death Valley, Sir Ken Robinson explains how the dominant culture of education has drifted away from teaching and learning… and toward testing. Standardised tests have a place, just as medical tests do. But they’re meant to diagnose, not define. They should support learning, not obstruct it. Instead of cultivating curiosity, imagination, and real understanding, we’ve created a culture of compliance - where children (and teachers) are expected to follow routines instead of explore possibilities. Sir Ken reminds us of something essential: Human life is inherently creative. Education’s role is to awaken that creativity, not standardise it. And it doesn’t have to be the way it is. Change starts when people begin imagining alternatives. 👇 Comment INSPIRE and we’ll send you a FREE MINI-COURSE from Kate Robinson: Imagination, Creativity & Innovation, inspired by her book Imagine if... Creating a Future for Us All with Sir Ken, and built around the ideas they championed together. This mini-course is the perfect starting point for anyone who wants to understand human creativity more deeply, in yourself, in your work, and in the world around you and is yours for free in the hope it inspires you.

I'm convinced that Chromebooks in the early grades is not an ineffective learning tool. At the January 28, 2026 BASD School Board meeting, I voted AGAINST the purchase of Chromebooks for students matriculating into Grades K, 5, and 9 for the 2025-2026 school year at a cost not to exceed $1,869,694.35.

I will continue to ask for more reflection on the efficacy and cost of technology in early learning. For your consideration, read today's NYTimes article:

Chromebook Remorse: Tech Backlash at Schools Extends Beyond Phones No more YouTube or video games on school laptops. Textbooks and pencils are back. Some seventh graders say they prefer learning offline.