What would happen if we could redesign the educational process to teach for mastery instead of teaching volume? That is the topic that Sal Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, discussing in the following Ted Talk. I found this to be very interesting as he weaves through his explanation by giving the example of the importance of understanding foundational knowledge. The example he cites is foundational math skills, if you miss understanding twenty percent of the basics that number only compounds over time as more advanced skills are taught. This compounding leaves student frustrated and often disengaged.

He goes on to discuss the profound impact that disengagement has on a child’s self-esteem and goal setting abilities, citing the importance of key soft skill development, like perseverance and grit.

(Khan, 2015)

As our educational systems functions today is it possible to flip the pyramid as Khan suggests? What are the first structures that must change before it is even possible? Would it be standardized assessment? Smaller class sizes? Updated curriculum? Are some of these structures already in place in differentiated classrooms? I am interested to hear your thoughts.

References

Khan, S. (2015, November). Let's teach for mastery - not test scores [Video]. TED: Ideas worth spreading. https://www.ted.com/talks/sal_khan_let_s_teach_for_mastery_not_test_scores?language=en#t-631715