Values Based Education (VBE)- Education's Quiet Revolution. | Neil Hawkes | TEDxNorwichED

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker emphasizes the importance of values-based education in shaping the future. By focusing on universal human values such as respect, love, and justice, education can foster meaningful relationships and social change. The speaker shares personal experiences and observations, highlighting how early memories and positive connections influence children's growth. The talk advocates for a shift toward a more humane, values-driven education system, where educators, parents, and caregivers help shape the future by instilling ethical intelligence and resilience in students, creating a society rooted in compassion and understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of 'people watching' to learn about human behavior, relationships, and values.
• 😀 A lesson from the speaker's father: seek out people who are least like you to broaden your understanding of the world.
• 😀 The dream of transforming education into a value-based system, where values guide teaching and relationships.
• 😀 Teachers, parents, and carers are heroes for sending positive messages to the future through children.
• 😀 Early childhood experiences, even if not remembered, have a lasting impact on a person's development.
• 😀 Relationships with children, especially based on trust and positivity, are essential for shaping their future.
• 😀 Education should be about more than just academics; it should focus on the flourishing of humanity and moral growth.
• 😀 Values-based education (VBE) emphasizes positive human values like respect, tolerance, and altruism to shape better relationships.
• 😀 VBE includes key components such as modeling values, building an inner curriculum, and cultivating an atmosphere of mindfulness and emotional intelligence.
• 😀 Leadership in schools must support values-based education for it to take root, and the ethical vocabulary helps children develop ethical intelligence.
• 😀 A dream for a world where education and leadership are grounded in values, fostering mental health, resilience, and global change.

Q & A

What is the primary message the speaker wants to convey in the transcript?

The speaker advocates for values-based education, emphasizing the importance of instilling universal positive human values such as respect, tolerance, and altruism in schools to create better relationships and improve society.

What did the speaker's father advise him regarding social gatherings?

The speaker's father advised him to 'kneel' or make an effort to connect with someone who is the least like him, suggesting that doing so would help broaden understanding of the world and people.

What is the significance of values-based education (VBE) according to the speaker?

Values-based education underpins the educational experience with positive human values, transforming learning and behavior by focusing on universal values that help children develop healthy relationships and become better human beings.

How does the speaker describe the importance of relationships in early childhood education?

The speaker emphasizes that relationships with young children are crucial because these early experiences, though often forgotten, leave a lasting impact on their future. Positive relationships send messages to the future, shaping children's development.

What does the speaker believe is the purpose of education?

The speaker believes the purpose of education is not just about academic subjects or results, but about the flourishing of humanity, helping individuals reach their full potential while cultivating moral and ethical values.

What role do values play in shaping a child's education and future?

Values, when integrated into education, guide children in forming positive relationships and navigating life with respect, justice, and altruism. These values empower children to become responsible, compassionate individuals.

What is the 'inner curriculum' described in the transcript?

The 'inner curriculum' focuses on the inner world of children, including their thoughts, emotions, and sensations. It integrates practices from neurobiology, psychotherapy, educational research, and human wisdom to help children develop emotional intelligence and resilience.

How does the speaker define ethical intelligence?

Ethical intelligence is the ability to understand and apply moral values in decision-making and relationships. The speaker believes it's the most important form of intelligence that children should develop to contribute positively to society.

What example does the speaker use to demonstrate the importance of modeling values in education?

The speaker uses the example of 'smiling eyes' as a simple yet powerful way to model values. A teacher with smiling eyes demonstrates openness and kindness, helping to form positive connections with children.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of education?

The speaker envisions a future where education is rooted in values-based practices, enabling children to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially. This vision includes a world where leaders, teachers, and communities model positive values, ultimately creating a more compassionate society.