How to have a nuanced conversation
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In this episode, Shane sits down with Drew Perkins, President Director of ThoughtStretcher Education and host of the ThoughtStretchers Education Podcast. Drew brings a refreshing perspective on how we can navigate the often polarised world of education discourse, from the direct instruction versus inquiry debate to the broader challenge of maintaining nuanced thinking in our schools.
Drew shares his approach to engaging in online education conversations with curiosity rather than certainty, and explains his concept of "reality-based communities" grounded in what he calls enlightenment liberal principles. Whether you're a school leader trying to cut through the noise or an educator looking to model better dialogue, this conversation offers practical wisdom for staying grounded whilst remaining open to learning.
Resources Mentioned
ThoughtStretchers Education Podcast - Drew's weekly education podcast
Paul Kirschner Panel Discussion: "The Knowledge Revival, Curriculum For Deep Thinking" - Recent episode exploring direct instruction vs inquiry learning
Jonathan Rauch's "Kindly Inquisitors" - Book on knowledge and free speech
Jonathan Rauch's "The Constitution of Knowledge" - Exploring how we determine truth in modern society
ThoughtStretcher Education - Drew's organisation website
ThoughtStretchers Community - Educational discussion community
Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on LinkedIn and Bluesky. My email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.
