So I was invited to take part in the visioning process for Pen's elementary school - how do we want the school to be "branded." I think that my mix of open-mindedness and skepticism means that I am happy to engage and support, yet a part of me questions things at a multitude of levels.
For instance, why "branding" -- the creep of consumer and marketing language into an area like education seems to be inherently problematic. Education should be a counter balance to consumer culture and marketing. Yet here it has been co-opted by it. (And no, I do not see this as an instance of education co-opting the concepts of consumer culture - clearly the consumer culture has the upper hand and power).
Or the closing video which reviewed the importance of technology in our world, going on about the internet, blogging, podcasts, and other marvels of technology. Obviously I have no objection to technology, as I sit here blogging on my laptop, but it confuses a medium for achieving one's ends with an end-product. And throwing out-dated facts regarding technology use at me makes me crabby and argumentative. There is a large body of knowledge arguing against teaching elementary students technology! Better to teach them basics of reading, writing and mathematics; and HOW to learn and explore; and that learning is FUN -- all of which needs to be done in the context of relationships.
So, stay tuned for my next post, as I organize my thoughts regarding what wonderful insightful response I can make when the opportunity presents itself!
