Main Office Musings 1-15-16
Inspiring a Community of Learners
8 Things to Look for In Today's Classroom by George Couros
I just finished reading the book The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros. I was so inspired and excited about the ideas in the book that I purchased another copy and passed it along. Below are just some of the ideas captured in the book. I hope that maybe they resonate with you like they did with me. - mw
I have thought of eight things that I really want to see in today’s classroom. I really believe that classrooms need to be learner focused. This is not simply that students are creating but that they are also having opportunities to follow their interests and explore passions. The teacher should embody learning as well.
Will Richardson recently wrote this in a comment on one of my recent posts regarding what teachers need to be like in our current day and the focus that needs to be on learning- "…we need teachers who are masters at developing kids as learners who are adept at sense making around their own goals. Teachers who are focused on helping students develop the dispositions and literacies required to succeed regardless of subject or content or curriculum.
This moment is all about learners having an amazing new freedom to learn, not teachers having an amazing new freedom to teach. I’d love to see our work be all about making that shift in our thinking around education.
Although technology is not the focus, it does give us many opportunities to magnify the opportunities I list below. So with that being said, here are some things that I believe will help the learner of today be successful in our world, both today and tomorrow.
#1 Voice – Students should have the opportunity to not only learn from others but also share their learning with others as well. We live in a world where everyone has a voice and if we do not teach our students to use this effectively, they will definitely struggle. To me, this is so simple yet so essential.
#2 Choice – This is not only about how students learn, but also what they learn about. How do they further their learning in areas of interests to them? Throughout the first few years of university I did poorly, yet in my final few years my grades were better than they ever had been. What was the difference? I actually cared what I was learning about. Strengths based learning is extremely important.
#3 Time for Reflection – Classrooms are an extremely busy place and I understand that many feel that they are rushed through the curriculum, but I think that taking the time to connect and reflect on what is being learned gives learners a better opportunity to really understand what they have learned. I know many classrooms have DEAR time (drop everything and read), so why do we not have time to simply write and reflect? This is not only for students, but for teachers and administrators as well.
#4 Opportunities for Innovation – Recently I visited a middle school during their "Innovation Week" and saw students that created a hovercraft (not kidding) using things that they had around the house. They were able to guide it around the gym and it was able to carry people around. These kids were in grade 9.
When I asked the students about this opportunity, they had told me that they had saw something similar on YouTube but it was missing a few elements that they wanted to add. They made it new and better. I can only imagine what the students will do after they leave school because of this day, not in spite of it.
#5 Critical Thinkers – In the “factory model” of education, students were meant to be compliant and basically do “as they were told.” This is not something that sticks with a child only, but goes into adulthood as well and it creates “yes” people who tend to lose all originality. One of my best friends and my first admin partner, told me to never just let him go out on his own with his ideas without questioning them and sharing my thoughts. His reason? He wanted the best ideas, not his ideas. He wanted me to ask questions. He wanted to be successful. It was not his ego that was important, but the success of his staff and students. I have learned to ask the same of all those I work with and although it can turn into spirited conversations, it is was best not only for school but all organizations. We need to have students that are able to ask questions and challenge what they see, but always in a respectful way.
#6 Problem Solvers/Finders – Ewan McIntosh has a brilliant Ted Talk discusses the notion of “problem-based learning” and how it is not beneficial to give students problems that aren’t real. Instead, he focuses on the idea that students need to be “problem finders”; being able to find some tough challenges and then being able to solve those problems. Teacher Megan Howard described of how one of her grade six students was able to see that there was a problem with classmates losing their school uniforms and then being able to use QR codes to be able to identify them. Let’s start asking kids to really look into finding what the problems are and giving them some purpose in solving something real.
#7 Self-Assessment – I don’t think that I have ever heard a teacher say, “I can’t wait until we get to write report cards!” That being said, I think we spend too much time focusing on being able to tell others what our students can do and know, and not enough time helping students understand those things themselves.Portfolios are a great way to share this knowledge and will actually have students develop their own understanding of what they know. If you can write in a report card that a student can do something in October, yet they can’t do it in January, is that report card still relevant? I think that we should spend more time working with students to teach them how to assess themselves and not just do it for them.
#8 Connected Learning – When I first started teaching, I remember really struggling with science. It was a subject that I struggled with as a learner and that continued on as a teacher. I now think that if I was in the classroom, that the best person to teach science wouldn’t be me, but a scientist. With most people that having a computer also having a Skype account, there are many that are willing to share their expertise in different areas. This does not only have to be via technology, but we should also be bring in experts from our community to talk to students. I know many teachers have done this for a long time, but technology opens the doors to people that we could not even imagine being a part of our classroom even ten years ago. Even Shaquille O'Neal has made some time to Skype with student in one school.
Now I believe that all of these things are extremely important to the success of our students in the future, but there is one thing that is important to all of this; that our students are good people. One of the things that I have told my students over and over again is that it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you are considered a jerk. Treat others with kindness and consideration. Always.
Finally, let’s start to really tap into the wisdom of our rooms and have students not only learn, but teach each other. There is a saying from my time as a referee was that the best officials are the ones that you never notice. Does the same hold true for a teacher? I have walked into classrooms and have been unable to identify who the teacher was immediately because they were, as Chris Kennedy would say, “elbows deep in learning” with their students. Students were also teaching others along the way. If we start to acknowledge that everyone can be a teacher and everyone can be a learner, I really think that you will be able to see more of the elements I have discussed in our classrooms today.
Do you want more? Check out georgecouros.ca
Reminders & Points to Ponder...
January Blues Party on Friday, January 22nd! Money is due on Tuesday!
SIPT Meeting on Tuesday 1/19 at 7:45 a.m.
PAC minutes from 1-5-16 can be found in the Drop Folder.
There are many new faces in the Tech Department. Click here to meet our Primary-Elementary Tech Department... http://www.canandaiguaschools.org/district.cfm?subpage=33253
Our PTSA laminating phenom Leslie Mast is out on maternity leave! PTSA has sent out a SOS to all members trying to recruit laminating volunteers, but they appreciate your patience and understanding if there are laminating delays.
8 Things to Look For ...SketchNote
Syliva Duckworth used SketchNote to capture George Couros' ideas in this awesome visual.
Learning Links
- Check out this super helpful collection of Response to Intervention resources edut.io/IO8MDP
- What Kind of Educator Super Hero are You? Take this quiz and earn 20% off of books at ASCD http://bit.ly/1K0WLwX
- Round up of the Best Books 2015 wp.me/p2K4DN-3dp
- 16 Awesome Ways to display Student Work bzfd.it/1mCTcZh
- 14 apps to help you stick to your New Year's resolutions read.bi/1TygCcu
- Get ready to laugh out loud at the Top 10 Educational Parodies for 2015 edut.io/F7AfBf
- How to Design a 21st century assessment http://bit.ly/1He4OdH
It's a pleasure to TWEET you...
Andrea Smith in 140 characters:
I am lucky to have the most wonderful family! I enjoy being active! I have the gift of gab and take great pride in getting to know any/all folks!