This post is a copy of an update from my (failed :( ) GoFundMe campaign.
This update is about a vision.
A visionary is not the one who can see things farther away than others, nowadays everyone can utilize binoculars or other instruments to see things afar.
A visionary is the one who can see NOW, what others will see much later. And again, nowadays there are tools which allow everyone to be a visionary.
I am not a visionary. Even if I see something still hidden for many, it is because I am standing on (stealing from Sir Isaac Newton) “the shoulders of giants”.
The power of a random walk generated by a social “Brownian motion” has led me to my current position. My diverse experience allowed me to compose my views. Now I am using my professional website www.GoMars.xzy, my personal blog, and my fundraising campaign https://www.gofundme.com/teachology as “binoculars” which all people could use to see what I see.
I am looking for people who are with me on the path for transforming education by transforming the science of education. But I would never consider as enemies people who do not share our view.
Recently I wrote a short letter to a high ranking Boston University official. Despite my expectations, he responded with a thoughtful letter, doubting the need for a science of education (and some other views). Obviously, I cannot post his letter, but below is my response to him, which also can be applied to any institution, organization, or an individual.
Dear _______.
1. First I want to express my gratitude for you finding time to read, to think and to respond. My informal statistics shows that out of 20 people who received my email 16 would not react at all, 3 would send back something trivial like “thank you”, or “good luck”. One writes something thoughtful, like you did. I truly appreciate your time.
2. If we want to travel from one place on Earth to another place on Earth as fast as we can we use an airplane. Trying to do it faster and with more comfort, with more people on board, and less fuel spent, we make plains better and better. However, no matter how good we are at making airplanes, if we want to travel in space we have to completely change the approach. First, we have to change our own psychology, we have to want to travel in space, we have to believe it is possible, and then we have to find a drastically new principle which could be used for building “space planes” (a.k.a. rockets). And this is just a beginning of the new approach.
Using this analogy, I say that currently everyone involved in education – in any/every role! – is trying to build better airplanes. I want to build a rocket. The project will not address any current issues in education any soon, and that is why almost no one feels any attraction to it. Which brings me to my current actions.
3. Searching for people.
I am not really looking for any funding (yet), I am not trying to convince anyone that I am right. I am looking for people with whom my view resonates. I am not the only one who (a) states that a science of education does not exists, and (b) it is possible to develop it (for me – I am positive that it is possible at least for STEM subjects /we have an example when an art has been gradually transferred into a science – the game of chess/; I am not an expert in other areas, however, I would expect that there are common principles which work for any subject). Hence, I have a long list of people in various spheres (officials, charity officials, venture capitalist, etc.) to whom I am trying to reach out. I am in the process of a consensus building. It might take weeks, or months, or years, I do understand this. However, I see only two scenaria.
I. When the project finds sufficient support and will be ready to be launched into the next phase, all credits for that will be just mine, Boston University will not have anything to do with it (like the patent bureau where in 1905 Albert Einstein wrote his papers has nothing to do with the special relativity theory – I am not compering myself with AE, I am using this example as a clear analogy).
II. or it will be I and Boston University together (even if initially we were not exactly on the same page).
3. I would not describe my emotion as frustration, at least that was not intentional. I would rather say I feel some disappointment. But my hope is that I am not alone who is disappointed with the current state of education (for example, considering how the funds put into it).
I want to thank you again and to express my appreciation, and to invite you to physics department Pumpkin Drop which happens today at 12!
Sincerely yours,
Valentin
Thank you for visiting!
I letter to Venture Capitalists and philanthropists.
Hello.
Many Venture Capital companies invest in health/medicine related start-ups.
I am looking for Venture Capital professionals (or philanthropists) who would be interested in supporting a project in the field of the Intellectual Health of the Nation (a.k.a. Education).
Many Venture Capital companies are looking for the “next Steve Jobs”.
I am looking for Venture Capital professionals who would be curios to meet the “next Steve Wozniak”.
I am a professional educator with a long and broad successful experience.
AS the result of my broad career, I have developed a very specific and bold project at the intersection of human psychology, science of teaching, and information technologies (including AI), which has the potential to transform education, as well as science of education.
I am a realist. I am not a businessman, and do not possess abilities sufficient for establishing a start-up on my own. But I have knowledge, skills, and vision of the final “product” of such a start-up.
All information about me is openly available online.
The proof of my experience:
The proof of the quality of my experience: http://www.GoMars.xyz/evvv.html
The proof of the breadth of my experience: http://www.Cognisity.How
I know this is not an orthodox way to seek a VC collaborator, but my professional experience makes me an unorthodox expert who is looking for unorthodox individuals.
For venture capitalists and philanthropists who would be willing to support less unorthodox projects, I can offer the following:
Books:
These two books provide unparalleled insights into psychology and practice of education. Their translation from Russian would become an invaluable addition to the English literature on the matter.
1. Psychology of a human // Evgeni Isaev, Viktor Slobodchikov
Психология человека. Введение в психологию субъективности //
2. Fundamentals of Pedagogy. Introduction into applied philosophy. // Sergei Gessen
Основы педагогики. Введение в прикладную философию //
Documentaries:
I personally would be able run project # 4, including preparing and conducting lessons for future physics teachers, running laboratory exercises and problem-solving sessions, I also could oversee all other projects (# 1, 2, 3, 5).
1. Charter schools in America.
This documentary should have at least a dozen episodes;
Each episode should feature one charter schools (large and small, urban, rural, upscale), including actual lessons, interviews with teachers, students, parents, administrators, district officials, business representatives, discussing what was the reason for establishing the school, who were for and against it, what was expected, what was achieved, issues, problems, future.
2. Public schools in America (the structure is similar to #1).
3. Public schools in the world (the structure is similar to #1).
4. Becoming a physics teacher.
This documentary should feature a group of pre-service or in-service teachers who have no education in physics of physics education but want to become physics teachers. The series of episodes should feature teachers taking classes, doing homework, doing laboratory exercises, having discussions, solving physics problems, and also giving lessons to students, reflecting on their learning and teaching experience.
5. Becoming a math teacher (the structure is similar to #4).
Some examples of my writing on the matter:
A General “Algorithm” for Creating a Solution to a Physics Problem.
What does “thinking as a physicist” mean?
How I flipped my class without even knowing it.
How much of “cyber” in “cyberlearning” and "cyberthinking"??
The Essence of the Meaning of “Zone of Proximal Development”.
Who and why should learn physics?
Physics as a Door into STEM Education.
Professional Designing as One of Key Competencies of Modern Teacher: an Ability Which Every Teacher Needs to Have.
Fundamental Laws of TeachOlogy: a Handbook For a Beginner Teacher.
Becoming a STEM teacher: a crash course for people entering the profession.
On a Definition of AI.
Although, my papers are usually on teaching physics (because lately I mostly teach physics), however, the methodology can be applied to any STEM subject (I used it to teach and tutor Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Problem Solving, Logic, and more).
________________
Dr. Valentin Voroshilov
BU, Physics Department
More on AI (the full list):
Thank you for visiting!
Please, feel free to comment, or send an email directly to me!
To learn more about my professional experience:
"The Backpack Full of Cahs": pointing at a problem, not offering a solution
Essentials of Teaching Science
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Essentials of Teaching Science
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