Will Richardson is one of the pathfinders in this wilderness of education. He’s had a lot of interesting ideas and this is another one.
So here’s the deal with the change that many of us in this conversation are clamoring for in schools: we’re about the only ones talking it. The townsfolk down at the corner store aren’t demanding “21st Century Skills,” technology in every student’s hand, an inquiry based curriculum and globally networked classrooms. By and large the parents and grandparents in our communities aren’t asking for it. The national conversation isn’t about rethinking what happens in classrooms. No one’s creating assessments around any of this. And in fact, outside of the small percentage of people who are participating in these networks and communities online, the vast majority of this country and the world doesn’t even know that a revolution is brewing.
Is the problem so far under the radar that nobody else is seeing it?
If it’s such a hidden problem, do we know it really exists?
August 31st, 2010 at 10:46 pm
I agree. Is it truly a problem if no one knows it exists? The sea monster in in the backyard pond does not create any anxiety because no one knows she exists, lurking in the depths. We wander around picking blackberries on the pond’s edge, ignorant.
Don’t borrow trouble, my grandmother would have said.
What man has not discover, he has not destroyed, Wendell Berry (my spiritual grandmother) said.
If the ubiquitous YouTube videos of sullen kids sending Sharpie-marked messages on placards Bob Dylan-style to a techy beat tells us anything, it’s that teachers don’t even know their own 21st century skills– few, if any, use technology beyond PowerPoint and email and have never considered venturing much farther than that. Kids are savvy with all manner of technology while teachers and schools are bogged in the oh-so 20th century skills, and somewhat resistant to change.
Inquiry based classrooms? That sounds like a bunch of hogwash — sounds like a bunch of teachers who don’t want to do their jobs. That’s the reaction at the cornerstore. Kids learning from curiousity? Ridiculous. Globally networked classrooms? That’s something you’ll only see on a commerical for some vague product, not at the local high school.
Why do theorists think, even for a moment, that any one in the world understands or cares to understand the histro-socio-political underpinnings of the cultural flux?
September 1st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I really didn’t know it exsisted. It looks like it is a well kept secret, although it is an issue that needs to be looked into. Technology should be foremost in our schools. Although it is important that the basics be taught without the use of technology they need to be used together. As an adjunct teaching a basic computer class, I have many students that come out of high school no knowing basic computer functions. Our schools need to be upgraded into the 21st century with the skill they need to go forward in college or the workplace.
The problem exsists but it’s not public known and few are out there to help get the information out there to get things started.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for sharing this post. It raises many concerns, but it is so on target. Part of our responsibility as educators is to educate our parents and the community. To have a healthy environment all entities need to be included. Small towns are not fortunate to have the access to technologies. My parents just recently had Internet installed at their home. My mother will not touch the computer but my father is interested in web searching for guitars and accessories for his many stringed instruments.
I totally agree with the quote by Seth Godin, “Leadership is a choice; it’s the choice not to do nothing.” I truly believe that the future is in our hands as educators. The future is sitting in our classrooms or enrolled in our online courses.
As noted in the post, people are talking about education but they are not aware of what is truly going on in the classrooms. I agree that we need to be an advocate.
September 9th, 2010 at 12:46 am
A quote comes to mind from the movie “Pay It Forward”…as the teacher is talking to the kids – he asks what the world expects from 12 year old Trevor. Trevor replies: “Nothing”. After further exchange – he tells the class that someday they will be old enough to be actively a part of the world. They might just look around at it and be disappointed. So it might be a good idea to look at the world now ( in 7th grade) so they will know how to change things when they are older. Not many care until they find themselves in the dilemma. Did no one think about how to control an oil spill before the BP fiasco? (oh wait todays BP published findings blamed just about everybody else except themselves – big surprise huh?) The folks down at the corner market don’t feel that technology or the need of it is going to make any type of difference…until they go to Menards to get a refund and have to use the new technology scan machine to get their money back…Oh then it makes a difference doesn’t it? It doesn’t matter until it “effects you mentality” does not prepare for the future…it stagnans growth. So educators need to be advocates for change – those risk-takers that will be the New Columbus of tomorrow. So until you get people on the boat to discover new worlds…you aren’t going to leave the safety of the corner market. I think that kids themselves will be our best advocates for technology change. They are already utilizing it daily…they need to “share the wealth” with the generation blend. Try it – you’ll like it. Schools need to let kids check it out and take it home. Let the interaction begin there… Our students are the best leaders for change. They will drive the movement. If our system does not change..kids are going to be looking elsewhere. Who says you can’t graduate from high school online? Who says you will even be going to the corner market…when you can save time and gas by ordering those groceries online…
I will say this on behalf of parents…most do want what is best for their children..and they want them to be happy, successful, and productive in their independent life. (okay well let’s pretend they all do!)
I would also like to make a comment on assessment of Constructivism. If all of this is about individual student learning based on their own construction..why don’t we let these same students evaluate themselves..on their own process? Another random thought…as coaches we are facilitators..and guide players to their best performance. We also evaluate these players at the end of the season…after they have been through the conditioning, the practices, the games, the post-season…we have witnessed the journey…the process.. even been in the trenches with them…I feel justified in the fact that I can give an evaluation (which is really a model for improvement – on how they can improve for next year, the next game.) Practice – “critique” ( maybe not a positive word choice here…Liz help me) – improvement – oh does this cycle look familiar? Why couldn’t the self analysis and the teacher/coach evaluation/suggestions be put together and negotiated?