Raising Heretics: Teaching Kids to Change the World

by Linda K. McIver

It's time to change the world. We need creative problem solvers to address catastrophic climate change, income inequality, pandemics, ecological collapse, misinformation, radicalisation, and many more problems facing humanity. We need critical thinkers. Rational Sceptics. People willing to challenge the status quo. Raising Heretics explores the impact of Data Science and Technology on the world around us. Linda McIver examines the role of evidence and ideology in our society, and how our understanding of science lets us down. The book lays out the foundations of a new approach to raising our children that encourages them to be the heretics we need to save the world.

Genres: Parenting

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2021

Reviews

[Calvin Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book for modern educators which discusses data education in a way that is accessible for the non-specialist audience. It advocates for changes to educational approaches and policies that reflect contemporary trends in educational theory, focusing on the need for deep and transformative learning, as opposed to the mechanistic achievement of high scores. McIver provides a wealth of accessible examples to support her arguments, drawn both from her personal experience and other sources. It is clearly written from and for the Australian context - and amid the ongoing covid pandemic - though provides broader lessons for educational practices more generally. There are some significant lessons to learn from this text about the importance of helping our young people to become critical, sceptical and independent thinkers who can cope with a rapidly changing world, rich in information.

Full disclosure: I have previously worked with Dr McIver as both an academic and school teacher, though my knowledge of computer programming is quite limited. Her care and concern for the learning of her students is deep and authentic, as is her passion for helping them to construct a better future for us all. I will certainly be taking some of her ideas and suggestions into my own classrooms; I found the 'Templates for Data Science Projects' particularly illuminating for how I might do this effectively.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for educators, parents and anyone interested in moving towards a better future. It explores the ways that technology and data science impact the world around us, and pushes for this space to be filled with creative problem solvers (a very timely reminder that we need people who are willing to question harmful assumptions).

It is hard to pick a favourite chapter out of the book, but I feel that with our education model being completely turned on its head at the moment (remote schooling), we should be contemplating the concepts in Chapter 4; Meaningful or Measurable: Pick One.

Full disclosure: I have talked extensively with Dr McIver about technology and the impacts it has on the world around us, and in particular how our current education models are only opening up tech careers to a very small group of people. I am very excited to see the uptake of Dr McIver's 'Templates for Data Science Projects' help to shift the needle for diversity in tech.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a useful book for educators everywhere. It describes and shines a succinct light on what we already know and suspect in achievable terms. It has a strong start and finish, and meanders slightly in the middle but that is part of its charm. A worthy addition to any educational pedagogical library!

[Rebecca Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with the first few chapters, but did get through the remainder rather quickly. I like the ideas about the change to educational approaches. The importance in helping the students become critical thinkers is really important. The examples at the end of the book and the steps taken with the students were really good, good to see that I am already doing some of these things. I just need to be doing them more often!

[Elizabeth Blane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, informative and interesting. Fantastic resource for both parents and teachers alike.