Why Schools? by Will Richardson brings up several key ideas about the state of our schools at this pivotal moment in time. Richardson states that the are two types of schools that are being created by the evolution of technology in our classroom. One model of the use of technology in the classroom uses technology as a tool that creates or continues the same process that has happened in classrooms. According to Richardson "They see schools as places where technology is increasingly a tool to better deliver content" ( loc 219). The second form of looking at technology as a way to release information from the confines of where it finds itself now. Technology and education together can create a schooling system where change is real and students are do not focus on answering questions to a test but to solve real world problems. For me this second way is how I try to run my classroom. It is still a work in progress because we are a data driven school but when as i learn about project based learning I see the benefits of getting rid of the limits on education. Additionally to the school debate expounded by Richardson there is also a section where the author challenges us to think about what it takes to be an educator in this new century. For my part I know that 5 out of the 6 different unlearning and learning ideas I currently use or are going to implement in my school. Just last week after reading this book I decided that my 8th grade students would be able to create their own project, by this I mean they would create their rubric to grade themselves, the questions the would like to answer through the project, as well as how they would present the project. The only requirement I asked was that they needed to be able to digitally have it in some form so that the next year class could learn from it. Having said this I know that the one idea that I have will have the most trouble committing to will be Share Everything the reason being of my competitive nature which gets in my want to share what I have learned. References Richardson, W. (2012). Why school how education must change when learning and information are everywhere / Will Richardson. New York, NY: TED Conferences.
6 Comments
6/3/2015 01:20:02 am
I agree completely with what Richardson says, and you emphasized. We are challenged to bring our classrooms out of the 19th century, where they were designed, and into the 21st century, where we are. I enjoyed the discussion about the two types of classrooms that are evolving. as I have experienced both. My former school district in North Carolina was extremely technologically advanced. Every teacher had a Smart Board, Laptops, Students in grades 6-12 were issued Chrome Books, teachers attended weekly and monthly PD on the use of technology, not just the tools, but how to change their pedagogy to fit into the new paradigms of learning. This is in stark contrast to my current school. Not to beat up on it, but many teachers have never turned on the laptops they have been issued, smartboards were shoved into a corner, and student engagement was a teacher ask, student answer model. Again, I am not trying to shine a negative light on my current school, but having experienced schools that are a stark contrast to each other, the depth of inquiry of students in NC was incredible. They took ownership of their learning and pushed each other to excel. I think that by having your 8th graders create their own rubric will increase their engagement as well as helping them to fully understand what is required of them for successful completion of the project.
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6/7/2015 06:06:07 am
I think it is great that you have already started doing five out of the six ideas that Richardson presents in his book. I am a little bit farther behind in that area. The share everything idea is also one of the ideas I have a hard time with. I think it is awesome that your students will be creating their own projects. It perfectly aligns with Richardson's ideas. I would like to see what they come up with. Are they already familiar with different digital tools that are available or is that something you are going to have them research as well? Either way, it will be a great learning experience.
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6/7/2015 10:07:53 am
Jacob,
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Both you and Michael have brought up an important point when it comes to reforming the education system, that it is new, that it is still developing, that it is an ongoing process. As we move forward in our own career, it is important that we take what we are learning and understand and continue to apply it to our own classrooms. I also agree that even though it is hard to work with students and staff that are behind in the process, we have the ambition to lead and should try to do so when and where possible. However, although “sharing” is an aspect that we should consider, I think it rightful that you may find this part difficult. I feel it too at times. We need the district and state to push change more quickly in schools that need it, and provide support so that we, educators, don’t have to feel competitive. We should be focused on fighting for our students rather than fighting for ourselves. Hopefully, time will allow this soon enough.
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Lexie Nielsen
6/7/2015 11:56:47 am
Jacob,
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6/8/2015 11:06:20 am
Ugh, I can relate to the "share" everything issue being discussed here. I try to remember this analogy....that the sun has enough rays for everyone and that just because the sun is shining on me and I'm getting a tan does not mean the sun can't shine equally brightly on you so that you get just as great a tan (or sun experience)...or whatever. I work with a woman who teaches next door to me who does not share whatsoever (but says she does!!!) and it has made my life incredibly difficult for the last three years. I try to share whatever I make or do, but it is an uncomfortable work situation, regardless. Of course, there are other underlying issues at play, but what I have learned from this experience is that the Administration really needs to set the tone of the school to be one of collaboration. I work at a pretty exclusive (albeit public) school, and the families talk about and compare the teachers against one another. The principal accepts parent requests for teachers, and these requests are made known to the teachers in the grade level below who are putting together the classes for the following year. For example, the four first grade teachers know exactly which families requested which second grade teachers. It feels like there is a popularity contest...which teacher has the best open house, which teacher gives the cutest parent gifts, which teacher has students with the highest scores, etc. If the Admin were to come in and put an end to class placement and insist on learning walks through each others' classroom and generally just give the staff a little "talking to," I bet we would all enjoy work a bunch more. Maybe Will Richardson would be proud of us, too.
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AuthorI'm Mr. D and I have been teaching technology for a better part of 12 years. Welcome to my blog! ArchivesCategories |