American Education? February 28, 2012
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Change, Education, Wisdom
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Seth Godin has just posted what he calls a “30,000 word manifesto” on public education. I’m sure that it applies to similar systems anywhere, but it is especially pertinent to us Americans. The problems that he describes are all the more striking when compared with our experiences here in Australia.
With a daughter in high school here, we observe every day the different attitudes toward school, work, university education, and standardized testing. All of us are the products of an educational system that was founded to produce productive citizens. But this comes at a price.
I encourage you to take a look at Seth’s short piece, and think about what we expect of our educational system (and, by extension, many of our other American institutions). He encourages you to comment and discuss this very important issue. We owe it to ourselves.
A direct link to the PDF version is here.
Read It Again – Camel Guest Post January 22, 2010
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Education, Experience
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I admit it. I have kept almost every textbook from my college years. There were a scant few that didn’t quite make the cut, but most have stood the tests of time and the occasional borrowing colleague. On top of those, I am a sucker for a college library book sale, and have acquired just as many more for courses I wish I could have taken. From philosophy to economics, from engineering to management (but not, alas, multivariable calculus) most have continued to serve me well. I had the chance to really dig into a few for a recent project, and… MORE…
Fuel the Fire; Don’t Burn Out November 1, 2009
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Education, Leadership, Working
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Last month, we discussed some of the factors affecting the attraction of young people to engineering, math, and science. This perennial issue seems to have as many solutions as there are practicing engineers. Existing programs, such as the West Point Bridge Design contest and the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) ASCEville.com are intended to address youth directly and provide hands-on educational opportunities. But in most cases, such programs depend on the active participation of practicing engineers — many of whom have difficulty finding the time or motivation to volunteer. Are today’s engineers ready to accept the personal responsibility to develop the next generation, or are we ever more dependent on universities to provide the foundations upon which we then may build? And what of the subsequent laments that such schools do not adequately prepare graduates to enter the workforce? (more…)
Engaging the Next Generation September 18, 2009
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Change, Education, Working
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Fifteen years. How much can we accomplish in such a short time? As I write this, I just read President Obama’s speech to schoolchildren. His words are likely to be clouded by the bickering that inevitably seems to take center stage these days. However, regardless of your politics, his thoughts reflect many professions’ struggles with how to motivate the next generation(s) and encourage study of subjects that don’t seem to hold quite the value they once did — especially math and science. Engineers are no strangers to this debate, and some have taken proactive steps to preserve the integrity of the profession while encouraging and attracting new entrants. (more…)
Choose to Notice June 21, 2009
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Education
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Seth Godin just posted about a game called “Spotto” :
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/06/spotto.html
It is just one of many “I spy” type games in which you are looking for some object (usually while on those boring car rides) and shout out something – “Punch Buggy” or “Slug Bug” being always poplular. The point is that once we choose to notice something, that thing seems to be everywhere – at least more common than we would have guessed previously. This is one reason to explore the world outside of your professional focus. (more…)
Working With Your Hands May 28, 2009
Posted by Jason in Daily PM.Tags: Education, Working
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I can’t even begin to lay out the many ways that Matthew Crawford has put into words some of the things that I have observed during my engineering career. He has written an extremely well-crafted essay based on an upcoming book entitled “Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work”. He makes some excellent comparisons between today’s “knowledge workers” and more blue-collar “dirty jobs” that force us to observe the realities of the machines and tools we use.
It also raises the question (if it even needed any further raising) of how Americans will continue to succeed as a society if we continue sending our children to college regardless of what their real interests are — especially if those interests lead to such jobs as mechanics and technicians. There are simply too many tasks that cannot be outsourced but that still require a significant level of skill and training (not from college) to undertake.
I encourage you to read through the article, and I personally am looking foward to the book.
Internal Strategy February 4, 2009
Posted by Jason in Insider's View Relapses.Tags: Communication, Education, Strategy
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It is not difficult to find comparisons between engineering and more everyday consumer-oriented businesses. Some of the most common that I have seen distinguish between a firm being like a fast-food restaurant or a car mechanic versus being a collaborative member (or leader) of a multi-disciplinary project team. While perhaps simplistic, it is clear that there are extremes in any industry and that all firms must make the strategic choice to conduct business one way or another. This is a topic I addressed in the past, but I would like to explore a particular aspect of this decision and the implications for the firm’s future. (more…)
