Educational reformer Alfie Kohn to keynote BGSU conference

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Educational reform advocate and author Alfie Kohn will speak at Bowling Green State University Nov. 2 as part of the 2013 Northwest Ohio Symposium on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teaching.

In his keynote address, Kohn will speak on “Overhauling the Transmission Model: Teaching Your Students to Be Active Meaning Makers,” from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in 101 Olscamp Hall. The symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Time magazine described Kohn as “perhaps the country’s most outspoken critic of education’s fixation on grades [and] test scores.” His criticisms of competition and rewards have helped to shape the thinking of educators — as well as parents and managers — across the country and abroad. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, including the “Today” show and two appearances on “Oprah.” He lectures widely at universities and to school faculties, parent groups, and corporations, as well as speaking at staff development seminars and keynoting national education conferences.

Kohn’s articles include “Turning Children into Data” in Education Week; “Five Reasons to Stop Saying ‘Good Job!’” in Young Children; and “The Case Against Grades” in Educational Leadership.

The NWO Symposium is a popular professional development opportunity for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade pre-service and in-service teachers, school administrators, community educators and higher education faculty.

Pre-registration ends on Oct. 25; however, on-site registration will be available on Nov 2.  The pre-registration fee is $35, or $45 the day of the conference. Undergraduate students can register online for $15 ($25 on-site). The multiple-participant discounted price is $30 per person for five or more participants from the same school.

The NWO symposium is organized and sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education, located at BGSU. Additional support for this year’s event is provided by The Anderson’s, BGSU's College of Education and Human Development and Center of Excellence for 21st Century Educator Preparation, BP-Husky, LLC.; and PNC Bank.