Rethinking education: beyond silos, technology, and traditional learning models – an interview with Graham Brown-Martin, an engaging catalyst for powerful conversations and fresh thinking
Host: Oana Nasui, cultural researcher
Context: Dare to Learn conference
Graham Brown-Martin draws on his experiences of leading teams, creating startups and scaling up organisations that challenge the status quo. Consistently ahead of the curve: he designed mobile computers in the 80s, interactive and online entertainment networks in the 90s, community-based social networks in the 2000s and a global forum for the future of learning in the 2010s. He takes his audience on an interactive journey that motivates them to think differently about the past, present and future.
Oana Nasui is a cultural professional and researcher with over 15 years of experience in the cultural sector. Her work spans cultural policy development, project management, and strategic communications. She has made contributions to both academic research and practical implementation in the field of cultural studies and cultural projects, with a particular focus on Eastern European cultural development, creative industries, and cultural heritage. As a published author and policy expert, she has expertise in cultural funding mechanisms and cross-sectoral research, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical cultural management.
The interview explores the integration of innovation and cultural components in education, starting with a discussion about how cultural and historical elements can be used to teach various subjects like mathematics or arts. Graham Brown-Martin emphasizes that the current educational system, which has existed for over 100 years, is problematic because it artificially separates subjects into “silos,” when in everyday reality, these subjects are interconnected. He exemplifies this problem by mentioning quadratic equations, which many learn only to pass a test, then quickly forget because they don’t see their practical application. He argues that learning based on projects and personal passions is more effective because most real-world projects naturally combine multiple school disciplines.
Regarding technological innovation in education, Graham Brown-Martin takes a nuanced position. He argues that teachers are first and foremost people who already use technology in their daily lives, and the fact that a student might be more skilled with technology than the teacher isn’t a real problem. He challenges the traditional teaching model where the teacher completely controls the learning process, arguing that education should instead be a co-learning process, based on the relationship between teacher and student.
The discussion addresses current challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, and the erosion of truth, emphasizing that the educational system hasn’t transformed enough to address these challenges. Graham Brown-Martin emphasizes the need to redefine the fundamental purpose of education, which shouldn’t just be about preparing for a job.
Finally, the interview focuses on the future of work and education. Graham Brown-Martin argues that we should focus on developing skills that cannot be automated, such as human interaction, childcare and elderly care, counseling, and teaching. He advocates for “humanizing” jobs and rethinking the current economic model based on resource accumulation. His conclusion is that we have the opportunity to enable people to achieve personal fulfillment, but this requires bold and imaginative thinking from society and elected leaders.
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