Projects|Feature Articles|History|Funding
The subject matter we learn from then on is certainly no harder than
what we have learned until then. Furthermore, it is no less interesting
(no less fundamentally interesting, that is--the presentation is generally
much, much less interesting) or useful than what we have learned until
then. These facts, taken together, should scream to us that we're doing
something drastically wrong in our schools.
Whatever it is that's wrong is unlikely to be fixable with incrementally
improved textbooks, software, or teaching practices. (Furthermore, the
attempts that are being made at incremental improvement are largely doomed
to apparent failure, as they run into the multi-pronged
counterattack of standardized testing designed for a broken system and
a stunning load of paperwork and legal hand-tying that leaves teachers
stripped of the time and mental space to do anything about it). We need a
completely new approach (or possibly a revisiting of an existing but less
well-known approach), augmented by appropriate application of existing
technologies (and possibly the creation of new ones), and informed by
the joyous and radically successful learning period of the early years.
The overarching goal at fulcrum.org is to figure out what we need to do
to make learning from five years old on as successful, enjoyable, and
worked-at as it currently is from pre-zero to five. Since mathematics
is a major interest of the founder, and since it represents perhaps
the most dramatic failure of modern education, and since we have to
start somewhere anyway, we're currently somewhat focused on the many
aspects of that particular subject area. But we hope to be discovering
principles and creating sample solutions that will apply to a wide variety
of subjects, and intend to extend our efforts to as many subjects as
resources will allow.
Further insight into the philosophical basis of fulcrum.org can be found
in the articles in the features section.
Our presence on the web is made possible by the generous support of
The Shodor Education Foundation, Inc.
(on the web at www.shodor.org).
© 1998-2001 Michael J. South. All
rights reserved.
The Short Version
fulcrum.org exists to collect, create, and encourage the creation
of anything that synchronizes with and leverages the brain's natural
ability and inclination to learn.
fulcrum.org in a (slightly larger) Nutshell...
The human being is capable of grasping an amazingly deep understanding of
an amazingly wide variety of amazingly complex systems. During the first
few years of life, the learning journey is undertaken with remarkable
effort and results in a tremendous amount of both emotional satisfaction
and acquisition of useful knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, beginning
at about the time we start formal schooling, that starts to change
dramatically for almost everyone.
Projects
Pending standardization of our project database, active and planned projects
are listed in the projects section of our site.
Most projects are still in very early design phases.
History
fulcrum.org was started to ask a single question--what would happen
if we chose our mathematics education content and methods with the
stimulation and satisfaction of human interest and fascination as the
top criteria? The vast majority of research in mathematics eduction
is aimed at standardized content to be delivered by one teacher to
many students in compulsory courses in a state-run school. This is,
of course, understandable, but one has to wonder whether some other
model might produce superior results, or at the very least might be a
better approach for specific situations, such as in particular charter
schools, with at-risk kids, for use in home schooling, or in support of
informal and life-long learning. Questioning the standard model
of education led us to the directions we are now exploring.
Funding
Fulcrum is currently funded by
private donations. We are looking
for a major sponsor. Send mail to
msouth@fulcrum.org to inquire.
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