Bilbao, 29 de noviembre de 2018
RICHARD GERVER
Hace algunos años ya que Richard Gerver se ha convertido en uno de nuestros ponentes más inspiradores. Como él dice, más allá de grandes conocimientos -que los tiene-, su gran aportación es motivacional e inspiradora. Sus experiencias docentes sabemos que han nacido en la propia escuela y su buen hacer ha sido fruto de su sensibilidad educativa y su avanzada comprensión sobre qué debe suponer la Educación actual y futura.
La entrevista aparece sin traducir. Creo que es importante recibir fuentes diversas y que ello contribuye al desarrollo de las propias competencias que deseamos para nuestro alumnado. Quien lo desee puede utilizar el traductor de Google, pero la literalidad de las respuestas de nuestro invitado queda así intacta.
Espero que esta breve entrevista os resulte tan inspiradora como cada una de sus intervenciones. Como siempre, comienza con una fotografía que el propio Richard ha seleccionado por ser muy significativa para él mismo.
"This photo is of Gary, the boy I talk about in my TED talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qYTf9evWeY . He was in my very first class of students. He had many complex needs but has grown in to an extraordinary human being. He taught me so much about what it really means to be a teacher". Richard Gerver
J.B.- Some important people around the world have asked you for help in educational tasks. Can you name one of them and tell us what happened after your advices, if he or she had any responsibility in Education?
R.G.- I have the honour of working with many people in many countries. Some years ago, I was asked to talk to the Chinese Government about the future of education. Over the last few years, they have realised that the traditional system, based on tests and purely academic development was not going to help their economy in the future. As a result, they have started working really hard to develop more opportunities for creativity, innovation and problem solving in their system; it was a honour to be involved.
J.B.- What is the biggest change you have ever seen in a country in relation with Education?
R.G.- In Pakistan, there is so much complexity around religion and ideology that to focus on an education for students that is about preparing young people to become global systems, is not just hard but at times dangerous. I have seen so much courage from some education leaders there, to ensure that education remains largely secular and also available for girls as well as boys. I have seen some schools and school leaders threatened with death if they don’t bow down to religious extremism in the system, they carry on though, despite the danger, in order to do the best for their students and to prepare them for the global environment. It has taught me that the challenges, most of us face as educators, are really not that great, when you see what is happening in places like Pakistan… if they can find the courage to change the system, then surely, so can we.
J.B.- You know Spain quite well. Plenty of schools are involved in an innovative change but some of them are not getting the results they expected. Would you be able to figure any cause?
R.G.- They must trust themselves more and appreciate that real change takes time. They mustn’t keep trying new things every few weeks; that leads to confusion and ultimately, failure. They must also develop their own methodologies and processes and not just buy in the latest trend.
J.B.- May you recommend three good things to do in a classroom?
R.G.- Make learning matter; create contexts and make it practical. Trust your students more. Listen to them!
J.B.- How do you imagine next educational changes, looking to XXII century?
R.G.- The system will be far less controlled by politicians and schools. It will be more interactive and inclusive. The next generation of parents will expect a very different experience for their children; technology will have a huge impact. I also think that there will be a rise in home schooling as people move away from the traditional offer.
Many thanks, Richard!
J.B.- Some important people around the world have asked you for help in educational tasks. Can you name one of them and tell us what happened after your advices, if he or she had any responsibility in Education?
R.G.- I have the honour of working with many people in many countries. Some years ago, I was asked to talk to the Chinese Government about the future of education. Over the last few years, they have realised that the traditional system, based on tests and purely academic development was not going to help their economy in the future. As a result, they have started working really hard to develop more opportunities for creativity, innovation and problem solving in their system; it was a honour to be involved.
J.B.- What is the biggest change you have ever seen in a country in relation with Education?
R.G.- In Pakistan, there is so much complexity around religion and ideology that to focus on an education for students that is about preparing young people to become global systems, is not just hard but at times dangerous. I have seen so much courage from some education leaders there, to ensure that education remains largely secular and also available for girls as well as boys. I have seen some schools and school leaders threatened with death if they don’t bow down to religious extremism in the system, they carry on though, despite the danger, in order to do the best for their students and to prepare them for the global environment. It has taught me that the challenges, most of us face as educators, are really not that great, when you see what is happening in places like Pakistan… if they can find the courage to change the system, then surely, so can we.
J.B.- You know Spain quite well. Plenty of schools are involved in an innovative change but some of them are not getting the results they expected. Would you be able to figure any cause?
R.G.- They must trust themselves more and appreciate that real change takes time. They mustn’t keep trying new things every few weeks; that leads to confusion and ultimately, failure. They must also develop their own methodologies and processes and not just buy in the latest trend.
J.B.- May you recommend three good things to do in a classroom?
R.G.- Make learning matter; create contexts and make it practical. Trust your students more. Listen to them!
J.B.- How do you imagine next educational changes, looking to XXII century?
R.G.- The system will be far less controlled by politicians and schools. It will be more interactive and inclusive. The next generation of parents will expect a very different experience for their children; technology will have a huge impact. I also think that there will be a rise in home schooling as people move away from the traditional offer.
Many thanks, Richard!
