#140edu

Interesting conference August 2-3 in New York — “#140edu: Exploring the State of Education Now.” The purpose of the conference is to “look at the underlying effects the real-time web is having on Education.”

I’m watching the livestream  now — conversations with teachers, administrators and others about moving education forward.  At first, I was a little bored because I’m hearing the same things I’ve been hearing about moving education forward: the factory model is outdated, we need to integrate technology, teach the 4cs (Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication), etc.

Then, I realized I should be thrilled! This means the conversation is broadening and is becoming more common – this is good. I found out another high school in our area is going to a 1:1 with iPads. Another district is experimenting with iPads for special education.

Communication Tool

Just listened to a disturbing, but essential talk from a man who is a New Jersey school board leader, and a former first responder. His point about the schools and students using now common communication tools was poignant. He discussed what happens with a shooter in the schools – very difficult to listen to, but important, and definitely applicable to less dire situations. How would the school let a parent know? How would the students get information out? What if students are required to leave their phones in their lockers?

Hopefully we never encounter a situation like this, but the lessons and concepts are the same.

21st Century Teacher

Ran across this list of signs you’re a 21st Century Teacher — love them.  Here are my favorites: (21 Signs You’re a 21st Century Teacher for the full list.)

7. You ask your students to do a character/historical person study…and they create mock social media profiles of their character.

14. You visit the Louvre with your students…and don’t spend a dime.

15. You teach your students not to be bullies…or cyberbullies.

16. You make your students turn in their cell phones before class starts…because you plan on using them in class.

How can you not love these?

Let’s just deal with one in this post:

The argument is often heard that you can’t use cell phones in school because there might be bullying/harrassment. I think we’ve moved well beyond this argument, and it is time for the schools to step up to the plate and teach responsible use of technology. Yup, it must be taught at home, but it HAS to be taught in schools as well.

At our house, we have firm rules about appropriate use of technology tools. Parents have passwords to all social media, email, etc. Texting and phone use is only allowed when appropriate, etc. etc. We certainly talk about how to use technology appropriately in other settings, but the use of mobile in a school setting has such a strong NO connotation to my kids that they won’t have the chance to make mistakes and learn until they are in settings with far greater consequences than a 5th grade classroom with loving, caring guiding adults.

Through a Different Lens

Clover

Photo taken and edited by my daughter

An article in today’s St. Paul Pioneer Press talks about the author’s success in getting her son to go on hikes by giving him a digital camera. In the article, Maja Beckstrom talks about a program run by the State Parks which teaches kids about digital photography, as well as her experience taking her son out hiking.

Key quote:

Adults read manuals. Kids treat a camera like a toy and try different things until they like what they see.

We’ve had the exact same experience with our kids. It’s fascinating to see what they’ll photograph, and how they see the hike much differently than you do. Where do they see art? What do they find interesting to document? How do they organize the images? How would they present them, if asked? Give them an online photo tool, like Picasa or Picnic, and they’ll spend hours with the images after we’re back, and they end up with a gorgeous, visual interpretation of the hike.

Yet, like much of the digital world, this is all done outside of school. What would happen if we encouraged kids to take pictures of things in school? On a field trip? As a school assignment? Yet, kids aren’t allowed to have devices that would empower them to take pictures. There are all sorts of rules about privacy, etc., that keep schools from using these tools.

Isn’t it time to move beyond these short-sighted, limiting policies? Sure, kids shouldn’t be taking/making pictures that would hurt another child. Sure, it’s easier to distribute these online. BUT – how are kids going to learn responsible use of these tools if they’re never allowed to use them in a school setting? Let’s see what the kids can do with these tools – it’ll surprise us all.

Transformation

“How dare anyone think you can transform a child if you are unwilling to transform yourself.”
–Chris Lehmann

More from Chris Lehmann, but why not?

This statement strikes me as key. As I’ve spent the last six months talking to teachers, administrators, etc., and have spent the last 9 years observing at my kids’ schools, it is amazing how much stays the same in education. Yes, they teach math somewhat differently (this spiral concept), yet it’s still MATH and still taught, for the most part, out of context of real life. Spelling tests — the same as when I was a kid. Subjects are largely taught in a silo, removed from each other.

One principal I spoke with is working hard to change things up. She said very clearly that the classroom shouldn’t look exactly like it did when she was a kid, and that’s what she still sees.

The transformation is difficult, of course. How do we break out of the mold of how we were taught? How do we recreate classrooms in an era of greatly reduced budgets, of incredible pressure from a faction of politicians who want TEST results?

I don’t have the answers, except to relate how I feel I’ve transformed: I’ve watched the kids. I’ve watched my kids, kids in their classes, and examples I can see from people like Chris Lehmann. We need to listen to the kids – it’s about them, it’s not about the adults.

Organizing

I’ve been watching various talks from leaders in the 21st Century Learning/education reform /education technology field over the last few months.  They are fascinating, motivating, and very thought provoking. Not being a teacher (anymore) or involved in education on a day-to-day basis makes it easy for me to think that we can make these reforms and changes. Do I really have the authority to ask for change from schools, in particular the schools that my kids attend?

One finally pushed me “to the other side.” Chris Lehmann, principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, is a leader in the educational reform and technology communities. In his TEDxNYED talk from March 2010, Lehmann closes by asking,  “How do we change the world?” A big question. How do we start?

“It’s time to organize.  I mean all of us together – administrators, teachers, parents, students. If not me, then who. If not now, then when.”  —Chris Lehmann

So, that’s what I’m doing. I’ll blog. I’ll talk. I’ll push. Watch this video and join me.