"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Monday, October 14, 2013

"creative sales techniques to 'move' students to higher levels of achievement"

Somewhere down the road we will look back on this era of efficiency fixation in the same way we now view the eliminators of waste of the early 20th Century schools, who took principles of "scientific management" and tried to map them onto schools, thus elaborating a system of education based on the efficient transmittal of info bits.

Today's example for the future history books on education reform: Daniel Pink, who is offering educators an appetizing kind of laxative webinar through corporate reform's unofficial organ, Ed Week:

For many, the quintessential image of a salesperson is still that of a slick, pushy man in a suit. But these days nearly everyone, including teachers, is involved in selling—or "persuading, influencing, and convincing others," says author Daniel Pink. And in an Internet-fueled world where knowledge is readily available, sellers need new tactics. 
In this webinar, Pink will offer strategic advice for educators from his book To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others. He'll explain what he calls the new ABC's of selling—attunement, buoyancy, and clarity—and how educators can use these tactics to "move" students. Drawing on a wealth of social science findings, Pink will also discuss the qualities of an effective salesperson, ways to make a message clearer, and the importance of understanding others' perspectives. 
Daniel H. PinkDaniel H. Pink is the author of five books about cognitive science and the changing worlds of work and learning- including the long-running New York Times bestseller, A Whole New Mind, and the #1 New York Times bestseller, Drive. His latest book, To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, offers a fresh look at the art and science of sales. Pink has provided analysis of business trends on CNN, CNBC, ABC, NPR, and other networks in the U.S. and abroad. He also lectures to corporations, associations, and universities around the world on economic transformation and the new workplace.
New minds, umm.  And what training does Pink have in cognitive science?  None--he's a lawyer.

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