T+L 2009 Reflection

Despite the October blizzard, I had the fortunate ability of attending the T+L 2009, a sub-conference of the NSBA. Dave, Joe, Emily, John, and I presented on the dynamics of the Global Learner program--both what it looks like in our district (policy) and in our classrooms (pedagogy). More importantly...we ventured throughout the other presentations to hear how and why educators are using technology. Regarding the information I gained, I would like to bounce through the halls of reflection in this blog; please join me.

• Education 2015: Given Technology, Demographics, Economic, and Social Trends, What May Be Our Worlds of US Education in 2015?

What I found fascinating about this session was the statistic that Colorado will have a student population increase by over 15%. Not that the funds will be there, as the trend indicates the funding per student will decrease over that same time period. Education will have to adapt, in that greater demands will be required with fewer resources.

One of the specific concerns I have regarding this is standards (yes, I'm going there...again). Several times at the conference it was mentioned that we are preparing students for jobs, along with the supporting skill sets, that don't even exist yet. I sincerely worry about this. How can archaic, rigid, and it-takes-years-and-committees-to-change standards TRULY prepare our students for such a mobile society? It is unfortunate--and scary-- to me that in the 21st century we teach with 20th century (ok let's keep it real, 19th century) pedagogy and ideology. I find it my responsibility then as a global learner to interpret the standards in a way that ensures my students not only can survive in this fleeting information society, but flourish.

• How a Virtual Learning Environment Can — And Should — Help Learners

Wow. How I wish I could have taped this session. Amazing! Jeff Borden addressed so many issues with our 21st century world.

I appreciated most his point about multi-modality learners. We teach in an era where very rarely are students single-style learners. They are bombarded daily with sights, sounds, and textures--at once! But then when they go to a classroom, they are fed a linear instructional style that--yawn--bores them. I hate that I have to compete in this kind of world...but it is a reality. One of the specific strategies I want to begin is using more images--pictures and videos. Yesterday in class, before discussing Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I showed a Chinese foot binding information video to my students, which engaged them and deepened an interesting classroom conversation.

In addition, he also addressed the new receptive technology, like Natal and Milo. I worry...will I as a teacher be replaced by a robot? What can I offer to my students that computers cannot? What can I be allowed to offer?

Which begs an even more pressing question...what SHOULD education look like in this world? I am reminded of a biblical proverb: "You can't pour new wine into an old wineskin." It seems to me this is the perfect advice for the field of education. We have not really reformed education; we have added cumbersome details to it. And the standards keep growing--but not adapting--to a new world. And the expectations do not change to reflect TODAY's needs...but the needs of our isolated, factory working parents and grandparents. True change will not come through addition...but innovation.

We need a paradigm shift.

Let it begin with the Global Learners.

Multicultural Education: This I Believe

What do you believe about multicultural education?

Standard Musings

Technology.
The 21st century.
Collaboration.
When I think of all of these, one word pops into my head and heart...

Innovation.

Webster defines it as "the introduction of something new."

New. Out of the ordinary. Refreshing. Original. Unique. Creative.

Don't all those sound sooooooo unstandard?

Yep, I'm going there.

I'm finding myself put more and more into a box in regards to the definition of good teaching. I use to think I was a good teacher, because I was innovative; I did take risks. And in a great sweeping movement of karma, so did my students--even the repeater kids, the high flyers. Now, "Standardize your teaching." "Remember the science, not the art," are hollow voices that haunt me in my restless, sterile, pedagogical halls.

I'm also finding that in a good-hearted attempt not to leave any child behind, we've stuffed them into a neat, carryall box. It's crowded in there. Almost suffocating. Our ADD kids, who might just be standard boys, but non-standard students; our SPED students, who might have within them to be the next Einsteins; our ELL kiddos, who could be the next international advocates; our artful and/or athletic students, who are gifted and will some day add to our aesthetic and entertainment pleasure..."he" and "she" are blending into a blurred, collective herd of they. A they is easier to teach; a they is easier to lead.

But are they? In an attempt to standardize my classroom, I worry I am not providing my students with the real-world skills they need--the real stuff, that which will help them have meaningful relationships, fulfilling jobs, aha moments, celebrations of success, reflections and modifications regarding failures, risks that pay off, happy memories of high school. After all, where are those in the GLET's?

And speaking of the GLET's, where are the 21st century skills? Where is the online access, the collaboration, the risk-taking, the work ethic, the joy from discovery, the contribution of their voices into the digital conversation, the utilization and evaluation of something cool and hip in this advanced world? Where is the creativity? I can't even find it in my own practice anymore...

I get it. Those things are hard to measure.

But let my words be known as well: their absence is far more drastically measured.

Using Pandora to Build Community

Something I am really excited to try with my classes this semester is to create a Pandora station for each class based on everyone's favorite artists. In a metaphorical manner, I am hoping that bringing our music tastes together will be a way to fuse community within each class. Some of my students have already professed at how cool that is, so I'm sure it will be a winner! Music also keeps students on task, and covers the "oh no! it's too quiet, I better talk so it doesn't look like I'm actually into my work" syndrome.

A YouTube Upload Experiment

wtf?

what the HECK did i get myself into?

should i post in informal, chat mode?

Or with all proportions of manner and appropriate grammar?

how about you, my audience, tell me! after all, writing is about audience, purpose, and content. look at the english teacher in me go!