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Posts from the ‘education’ Category

Sep 6

Starting School

I’ve kindly been asked to present on the seismic changes currently occurring within education –  a result of new technologies, new media and a system creaking under the pressure of opportunity. This presentation is happening tomorrow.

Today, my good friend and business partner took his first-born Son, Aidan, to school. It’s his first day.

On leaving the family home this morning, Aidan knows more about the iPhone than me, has travelled around the world from Düsseldorf to Taipei, has lived in at least two global cities – Toronto and Manchester, speaks Mandarin and English, interchangeably, and has a character all of his own.

Leaving Aidan at the school gate, a photo is taken. The sign above his head reads 1907.

Aug 17

Call to arms

Numerous debates, explanations, and non-explanations have followed the riots that tortured the UK early last week, and from the ashes and ransacked shops, two political positions have formed.

1. That violence and destruction is wrong. It is criminal, and we must fight against the criminals.

2. That violence and destruction is wrong. It is criminal, but we must understand the conditions that led to such criminality.

I don’t have a strong political persuasion other than I prefer to hear the intelligent response, as well as a belief that everyone has a responsibility to the community they live in, whether they are rich, poor or otherwise.

I also feel the UK is let down by the current political parties. Vote Tory, and the rich get richer. Vote Labour, and the poor stay poor. There is no political persuasion, that I know of, currently representing the ordinary citizen who goes out to work every day and is trying to pay their mortgage, support their ageing parents, put their children through University, and enjoy some standard of living. The Liberal’s are not that party. They don’t know where they are.

However, I feel Ed Miliband was right to say that “to explain the riots is not to excuse”, although poorly executed in his wimpish tone, because living in London during the trouble there was a real sense of tension, and not just from the under-classes. The conditions were right for the pot lid to blow, and blow it did. A City without a police commissioner, corruption through government and media, politicians all out of the country, job cuts, service cuts, rich getting richer (no more evident than in London), the middle ever more squeezed, and meanwhile the City is simply told to look forward to the Olympics, as if that makes everything okay. It doesn’t.

And then there is David Cameron; deeply entrenched in political position number one (and often out of the country or hiding behind Nick Clegg); the only position he can take if he wishes to keep his job as Prime Minister. But I have to agree, a PM who says one minute “Everybody deserves a second chance” in response to the criminal investigation involving his former press secretary, to four year sentences for those young people engaged in last weeks riots, many of which were caught up in a wave of adrenalin and peer pressure. I am sorry, but it smacks of double standards.

Boris Johnson was also caught out by not wanting to disrupt his jolly holiday, but I do admire his charisma and intelligence. He is the only leader who has voiced some ideas about putting the wrong right and last night spoke about the introduction of compulsory National Service.

Sadly, I doubt the country would ever be brave enough or organised enough to make such a thing happen, but I think it would be a fantastic thing for all sorts of reasons.

It would become a rite of passage. An experience that defines a culture shared by all. It does not necessarily mean going to war, but contributing to your country, possibly as simple as decorating an old age home or fitting a Naval ship with electronic systems (a little more advanced).

It is suggested that National Service would be a tough sell to the middle classes who might say – “Leave my little Joey alone … he is doing just fine thanks”. But such a challenge would be healthy. It is a challenge to all of us that says success is all about academic achievement and financial wealth. This is a drug we are all high on.

National service would give release to the pressure of success. An opportunity to pause before registering for an expensive University degree. What is the rush? And if we all have to wait a little longer , no one individual can outperform the other.

If a parent does not like the idea of National Service because they do not believe in Britain, then we are rooting out the problem. Such attitudes bread disrespect. Compulsory National Service would surely challenge this.

Also, and as a 30 something ushered through the system of education, university and professional life, I would give just about anything to know a skill. To know how to hang wallpaper, to wire a house, to build a wall, to make a go-kart. I would save a lot of money by knowing a few basic trades, and perhaps be less inclined to throw out and buy new – even the environment is saved!

Or is it simply a call to arms for all of us?

Feb 16

“That is soo yesterday Daddy”

The most common question asked of me in my twenties:

“Martin … I have a problem with my computer. Is there any chance you could take a look at it?”.

In my thirties, friends and relatives are most concerned with how will all ‘this’ play out. This being technology.

“Does my child spend too long on the Internet?”

“When should I let my child have a mobile phone?”

“Should I close their Facebook account … they are too young … right?”

“What career should I suggest when industries are appearing and disappearing in less than a year”

There is palpable sense of foreboding when it comes to the future. So much is changing that parents, guardians and individuals responsible for raising a child are caught up in a whirlwind of anxiety about what tomorrow might bring. What will the world look like in 20 years? Will it even be here? Will the written word even matter? What will little Joey do?

Unfortunately I can’t answer any of those questions. They are too hard and others are much better qualified for it. What I can say is this. Don’t think about what will change, think about what will stay the same. Perhaps:

  • Making friends,
  • Competition and Sport,
  • Music
  • Influencing and public speaking,
  • Politeness,
  • Exploration and inquiry,
  • Scandal,
  • Roald Dahl and maybe that other fella – what’s his name? Oh yeah – Shakespeare,
  • Trees (I hope!),
  • Working hard,
  • Storytelling,
  • An economic system – perhaps not capitalism, but a system it will be.
  • Crying,
  • Hurting,
  • Laughing,
  • Falling in love,
  • Falling out of love,

??

There are 1000′s more we could write. This is only a starter for ten, so please feel free to add more to the list by leaving a comment at the end of this post.

Ultimately, technology will change. The world spins. Humans progress, but the essence of being a human being will fundamentally remain the same.

So to all those anxious parents – don’t fear the future for your children, embrass its potential, and only worry yourself with teaching those things that will never change.

The ultimate irony for those who do overly concerns themselves with technology is that one day your child may lean over and say “Tut” … “The iPad” .. “that is soo yesterday Daddy” (see top image).

For an alternative view of whether or not human beings will fundamentally remain the same, try taking a look at this – Cyborg Life: Kevin Warwick.

Photograph by Ewan McIntosh under Creative Commons.

Nov 25

1 Comment

An Irish Tale

Ireland is a place that has marked me forever. It has been the backdrop to my coming of age (a year in Dublin), happy moments with my family (holidays in Kerry), and where I met the girl I hope to spend the rest of my life with (if she’ll have me!).

The door is always open in Ireland, although, this may have more to do with my name than the politeness of Celtic folk; type Martin Cahill into Google and you will see what I mean. I haven’t always liked Ireland though. In fact, I used to hate it when I was younger. A trip to Ireland typically meant cold rain, scary aunts who would plant those sloppy kisses on your cheek, and extended stays in Kate’s (the local pub). My patience (at the age of 8 or 9) was bought with Club Orange, Tayto crisps and coins for the pool table. These days I visit Kate’s for the same reason my Dad did before. The Guinness is great, yes, but more than that – it’s the conversation. Local farmers walk through the door and into the warmth of Kate’s bar. The atmosphere can sometimes be quiet. Subdued even. There is no hurry to engage in wit and banter. Sometimes a period of reflection is the first order.

Kate also maintains a kitchen behind the bar. I don’t know how she does it, but she can go back there and within a few minutes provide a plate of steaming hot stew, potatoes and veg. Most surprising, is the customer did not even ask for it, but they certainly welcome it. Kate then communicates events from the day. What has been said by Farmer Connolley and the latest prices from the mart. She is a knowledge hub. An RSS feed in traditional Irish style. Another customer arrives and the conversation continues. A community of neighbours all ready to highlight changes in the market, economy, and even the weather. The local radio sits in the corner relaying the local news and the death list (those who have recently passed and the time of the mass and burial). Comment is passed, drinks are finished and people are back on their way. Back out to the land. Back to practice.

Kate’s bar – A School? … And the only piece of technology in sight – the radio.

The experience was reflected in London some time ago. It was my first visit to the Apple Store. As I walked through the door teenagers were typing and clicking on the new range of Mac laptops and iMacs on display. They were emailing and facebook’ing. To my right was a genius bar. A whole workbench of Mac geeks ready to fix your machine or answer your Mac related questions. I walked up the stairs and entered a creative zone. A place where photographers and movie-makers could learn and share tips in relation to their creative pursuits. Further along was a lecture theatre. A speaker was clicking through the latest features of iWork. Some were listening, others were posting online, networking, thinking.

Apple Store – A School? … Technology is on sale, but the centre-piece is people and knowledge.

I arrived in Sydney six months ago. In those early months I was looking for work and networking across the city. I was using both traditional and modern methods. One evening, over too many bottles of Cabernet a new friend asked me “If you could do anything, what would your working week look like?”. Great question, I thought. My response surprised me. “Well”, I said, “If I could do anything then I would like to open an Alternative School of Business. A place where talented folk across Sydney’s new and emerging industries could meet and a space where those looking for work could ‘hang-out’. People would be presenting – perhaps a new business idea. Others would critique and hopefully offer new ideas or routes to making it happen. Industry Pecha Kuchas would play out, events, and possibly corporate off-sites. It should be a hive of learning. A place where folk would come, enjoy a hot meal, and go back to the land. Back to practice. There are no corridors. No offices and no static zones. Just movement, progression and space”. “I would spend my time there”, I said, “and the rest of the week I’d pick up my camera and notepad and go venture” (that though is another story).

An Alternative Business School? Perhaps not so dissimilar to what we have now, you might say? Still, since talking to managers, analysts and talented folk across Sydney’s media, hi-tech, and social innovation scene I still hear a call for change. All cite the importance of an MBA and how they would benefit from such an experience. The good stuff like learning from other industries, making new connections, challenging their thinking, tackling tough problems etc. However, I was reminded of the gulf (supposed) between academia and practice, the pressures brought to bear on families and marriages, the untimeliness of case based learning and the fees!

I think the sector is ripe for great change, but we must avoid the McDonaldisation of education, just as Ireland must avoid the McDonalidation of its Celtic ways. Technology should never replace our human needs for social contact and social spaces. Technology should only ever fuel the conversation, peoples understanding and our overall pot of knowledge. It should only ever be the radio in the corner. What is interesting about today’s technology, is it makes the alternative business school self-organise. There is no need for administration or administrative teams. The school is open. Groups gather around themes. People subscribe. People unsubscribe. This is the magic of new social technology.

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