Wednesday, October 5, 2011, a man died but his visions and ideas remain. He gave a commencement speech in 2005 for Standford University that, listening to it on NPR, moved me deeply. A message of hope and promise, mixed with an American ideas of independence and collaboration, is a gift of wisdom for all ages, besides the new college graduates. A recent Washington Post shared the them of that speech: Steve Jobs: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish
It's with honor that I introduce Steve Job's speech, given in 2005:
Speech link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc
Stay hungry, stay foolish,...How do we help our students experience such a rich opportunity?
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
News Sources = Source for PBL Ideas and activities
How do you turn an ordinary Project-Based Learning unit into something extraordinary?
This is one driving question that I'm often exploring, as there is so much at stake for a successful learning experience that leads to academic achievement and development of global skills that are necessary to adult success. And...there is not just 1 answer.
Although, I would suggest that if the end result of a PBL unit is that students use what they learn to help or change the "world" outside of their classroom, that is a very good start. News articles can help us find ideas for inspiring students to make meaningful connections between content and the global community. Through such connections, students alongside students can develop or design meaningful ways to impact or influence others through their academic understandings.
For example, consider these articles from today's news:
Tourists despise tiny fish but anglers love them
From MI news about strange silver creatures washing up ashore of MI beaches. Where did they come from and what impact might they have on our environment and tourism?
As the debt ceiling debate continues, how does time management influence or effect our decisions, and what are effective ways to organize timelines for project efficiency? (project is a metaphor for all kinds of work and tasks)
With greater scrutiny on the press, there is much to explore from effective research practices (online and traditional), ethical practices, and truth telling. How best can we get accurate information when media sources express conflicting reports? Should ever the "end justify the means" in the workplace?
With the congressional deadline looming about the US debt ceiling, there those who speculate that the US is already negatively affected. What would happen if the US lost it's AAA credit rating, and what would it take to regain it? How could leader's convictions of beliefs be rigid and flexible?
News from the serious, to humorous, to fluff can generate ways for students to find their voice in a PBL unit. They and educators uncover connections between content and community context. I invite you to find articles and post them as used here for connections to PBL ideas.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Grading Practices Revisited
I just read an article "The Culture Builder" by Roland S. Barth (Educational Leadership May 2002, Vol. 59, Number 8) with a group of highly motivated, inspired (inspirational) school leaders who are establishing new school programs where new culture is being built around what is best for students. More on that later.
A topic that rose was grading practices. Roland Barth states a message by schools is "Learn or we will hurt you." He states, "Educators have taken learning--a wonderful, spontaneous capacity of all human beings--and coupled it with punitive measures. We have developed an arsenal of sanctions and punishments that we inextricably link with learning experiences."
Ken O'Conner, Rick Wormelli and others look at grading practices and how it can be done to emphasize learning over gradebook keeping. I've made comments on this before, and was asked to share a powerpoint where I took these educator thinkers work and explored the ramifications. Below is a powerpoint that I've used to support teachers and administrators in reflecting on efficient ways to assess and grade. Comments welcome.
A topic that rose was grading practices. Roland Barth states a message by schools is "Learn or we will hurt you." He states, "Educators have taken learning--a wonderful, spontaneous capacity of all human beings--and coupled it with punitive measures. We have developed an arsenal of sanctions and punishments that we inextricably link with learning experiences."
Ken O'Conner, Rick Wormelli and others look at grading practices and how it can be done to emphasize learning over gradebook keeping. I've made comments on this before, and was asked to share a powerpoint where I took these educator thinkers work and explored the ramifications. Below is a powerpoint that I've used to support teachers and administrators in reflecting on efficient ways to assess and grade. Comments welcome.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Results-Only Learning Environment
Much of the focus of the Education world for achievement is on what the adult stakeholders can or should do to improve the system. There are some innovative ideas generated, tested, and implemented. How can we help students be successful. How do we hold accountability to standards based on practice that is evidenced-based. What will schools of the future look like?
These are only some of the challenges that educators grapple with in seeking what is best for students. Through all of the work that's done, few include a missing element. One that may, in its simplicity, be the most difficult and critical element for success...
Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships are touted as critical to education. Yet few school cultures incorporate students as an equal member, much less the driving member of the learning team. Students can best determine the what and how of learning. For proof, look at adults regarding our learning. Give me the deadline and learning targets, and I will take the pathways that works for me. Reading, talking to others, watching videos...varying location from walks, cafes, desk, floor...with music or silence depending on "my" mood. It doesn't matter how or what I do, so long as the deadlines are met and the outcome produce is of high quality.
Shouldn't that be what's best for students?
Coach students on how to work in this format. Believe that they are capable if given the opportunity and guidance. Trust that they can succeed. When they fail, it's the best opportunity for them to learn and grow. It's our responsibility to teach them how to learn from mistakes.
Shouldn't that be what's best for students?
These are only some of the challenges that educators grapple with in seeking what is best for students. Through all of the work that's done, few include a missing element. One that may, in its simplicity, be the most difficult and critical element for success...
Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships are touted as critical to education. Yet few school cultures incorporate students as an equal member, much less the driving member of the learning team. Students can best determine the what and how of learning. For proof, look at adults regarding our learning. Give me the deadline and learning targets, and I will take the pathways that works for me. Reading, talking to others, watching videos...varying location from walks, cafes, desk, floor...with music or silence depending on "my" mood. It doesn't matter how or what I do, so long as the deadlines are met and the outcome produce is of high quality.
Shouldn't that be what's best for students?
Coach students on how to work in this format. Believe that they are capable if given the opportunity and guidance. Trust that they can succeed. When they fail, it's the best opportunity for them to learn and grow. It's our responsibility to teach them how to learn from mistakes.
Shouldn't that be what's best for students?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Bears’ Greg Olsen kicked off field at Stevenson High - Chicago Sun-Times
Bears’ Greg Olsen kicked off field at Stevenson High - Chicago Sun-Times
I'm a Bears fan, and even I would have stopped Greg Olsen from going on to the Stevenson High School football field. Hey I like him as a player, tried to trade for him on to my championship Fantasy Football team. I would not have sent him away feeling unwelcomed. Here's someone who lives in the community, who is a quality professional in his work place. I'd give him the star treatment, as if he were a CEO, scientist, elected official, business owner, a chef, a parent or an educator--because Greg Olsen is a potential contributor of time and networking power.
He want's to use the facilities at the school, fine, here's the paperwork holding harmless the district and employees. "Mr. Olsen, can I get you some coffee, water, or Gatorade, while the paperwork is faxed or delivered by the Superintendent's office? What would you like for a snack or lunch from our cafeteria (or the cafe down the street)? Can we get some pictures with you as one of our . successful members of the community...signed?"
Accommodate this professional. But also have him do the background check (not too difficult given he's a public figure) done with anyone who will be on school grounds when minors are present. Work out an arrangement for the NFL starting tight end to practice on the field. Include in the plan that he give some of his time to mentor players and other students about perseverance, dedication, and long term planning. As the relationship builds, have Mr. Olsen connect the school leadership team with other professionals, ranging from the businesses whose products he endorses to say...the management of the Chicago Bears (after the lockout ends of course).
Safety and insurance coverage is necessary in today's society. Opportunities for partnerships that would benefit students' learning experiences should not be squandered by a public show of aloofness and cold rejection.
Notes:
Adlai E. Stevenson High School has won numerous awards for excellence, including the prestigious U.S. Department of Ed. Blue Ribbon Award for 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2002. It's the birthplace of the Professional Learning Communities (2nd site) concept by Richard DuFour (bio) that went viral in the United States. The school gets visitors, including me, from across the country and internationally to see their structure for success. With such experience with dealing with attention in their own right, it makes this publicity and missed opportunity more surprising.
Notes:
Adlai E. Stevenson High School has won numerous awards for excellence, including the prestigious U.S. Department of Ed. Blue Ribbon Award for 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2002. It's the birthplace of the Professional Learning Communities (2nd site) concept by Richard DuFour (bio) that went viral in the United States. The school gets visitors, including me, from across the country and internationally to see their structure for success. With such experience with dealing with attention in their own right, it makes this publicity and missed opportunity more surprising.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Project Based Learning: Explained.
Why do Project Based Learning (PBL)? The connection to lives of teachers, students, and workplace is a needed understanding. This video by the Buck Institute for Education does a great job making that important connection.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Learning through Risk-taking
The iNet Conference has been more than inspiring, it provides thought-provoking ideas for where we need and can go if learning is the driving force. Examples shared from throughout the world, time and again, prove that success happens when students have an active role in unit design, curriculum feedback, ending technolog embargos, and how they develop and demonstrate "their" learning.
- Bethnal Green Technology College (London)
- Bay House School & 6th Form (Gosport)
- Ken Stimpson Community School (Peterborough)
- Al Asayel School (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
- Barry Island Primary School (Wales)
- The Way Program (United States)
- Asia Society (United States)
- New Tech Network Schools (United States)
- High Tech High Campuses (United States)
- Buck Institute for Education (United States)
"When you’re in the hardest time you invest the most in being innovative." Dr. William Skilling, Oxford Community Schools --quote from iNet Conference 2011.
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