C.E. Jottings

Finding the language to communicate conductive education as a system of teaching and learning

In its assertion that it is a system of teaching and learning, Conductive Education sets out its distinctiveness. This simple assertion, however, finds difficulty in escaping the medical discourse and “interventions” in which motor dysfunctions, typically cerebral palsy, are first diagnosed and then “treatments” recommended. A recent article "Lively Minds" by Lilian G Katz, Professor of Early Childhood Education may offer some help in the language we use to talk about conductive education with other education colleagues and to re-assure... Read more →

Concocting a recipe for a new approach to conductive upbringing and schooling from four ingredients

The 4 Ingredients: Cyber-CE Flexischooling Family-centred education Free schools. I have long puzzled about how conductive upbringing, which is necessarily child-and-family centred 365 days a year, might creatively be integrated with conductive schooling with its institutional structures and limitations – whilst having some hope at least of a sustainable business model. Three fortuitous bits of reading and a current obsession - the 4 ingredients - can perhaps be shaken or stirred together to make something wholly new. Crazy? No problem.... Read more →

Changing Education Paradigms - Sir Ken Robinson again

Ben Sutton pointed it out to Andrew Sutton. Posted here because I like what he has to say (and because I can), Sir Ken Robinson "Changing Education Paradigms": Read more →

Enterprise & the emergence of identity #CondEd

I was reminded via Facebook, today, of a posting on his blog back in February 2009, by Mike Chitty: I have been banging on about enterprise as being a process for the emergence of identity for a long time now. Enterprise provides the (nearly) perfect vehicle for us to explore our talents and passions and have the results of our efforts judged in real time by real people. In the link that Mike provided (which I urge you to follow),... Read more →

"Cerebral palsy in the classroom"

At a private gathering yesterday, while waiting for the main guest and speaker, I was inevitably asked what I did, then about the education of children with cerebral palsy and then, of course, what was conductive education. Generally, I try to shift the last question and come at the answer from a different direction, rather than directly. A remarkable number of people asked, for instance, how they would advise a young relative who wished to train to be a teacher... Read more →

WetSounds UK Tour 2009

Coming to a swimming pool near you ...... "Wetsounds is an underwater sound art gallery. Touring swimming pools abroad and in the UK, it presents sound art and music collages to the public outside the niche gallery setting. The audience floats and dives, ears submerged, immersed in sound." Up-coming UK tour, 28th June - 22nd July 2009. Download Touring details 09 v2 Read more →

Is this not a species of insanity?

I have asked before on this blog, when and where the debate on the education of children with motor disorders such as cerebral palsy is taking place. I was interested then to read in an email I received this week, the announcement of a "Cerebral Palsy Feature in the July/August issue of SEN magazine" and inviting Paces to buy advertising or advertorial. "The lead editorial will be produced in conjunction with Scope," the email informed me. It's not often cerebral... Read more →