What is the Purpose of School?

Today I sat with ten other doctoral students and pondered, challenged, and speculated on this title question.  We made some brilliant points and unexpected connections, but, by far, the best observation came from a colleague who said, "If all of the people here in this room can't agree on the purpose of school, is it any wonder it is such a mess?  If Obama came to me and asked me what he could do to fix school, I wouldn't have a clue what to tell him!"

It is a sad state and also a great explanation for the difficulties and challenges we face as educators.  Learning isn't black and white, and often can't be encapsulated in a number or something we can put our finger on.  However, when we can't find a way to measure what we value, then we end up valuing what we measure.  If you're interested in reading more of my ideas and research, then check this out.

You Want to Read Your Blog

So why do people blog?  What makes anyone think anyone would ever want to read something that you've written?  If our kids followed the logic of adults, then we would never get an assignment of any quality turned in.  We have kids write to practice mechanics, but also to reflect, reason, and reach conclusions.  Is there a magic age when we no longer need to practice these skills?

I discovered one more reason to blog today.  I found one more person who really enjoyed reading my writing - me.  I wrote an article on 9/11 a few years ago, and read it again today.  I was moved to read my own descriptions and feelings which I don't even recall a few years later.  I learned lessons I had at some point forgotten.

I have never seen my father write anything longer than his name, yet the one regret he has expressed to me about his life is, "I wish I had written something down every day.  I just can't remember the details of those moments that were small at the time, but I really want to remember now.

When you consider whether it is worth taking the time to write a blog, and you feel embarrassed to share details that you feel others could care less about, remember that there is always one reader who will be interested and find it of value. (No, not me - you.)

Title One Conference (Bowling Green), Kevin Honeycutt, and My Big Campus

On November 7, I was asked by the good folks at My Big Campus to attend a Title One technology conference to talk about how teachers could begin using it for free in their classrooms.  Although my break-out session wasn't until 2, the conference was in Bowling Green, KY and I wanted to make full use of the day.  I arrived at the start of the keynote speaker who happened to be Kevin Honeycutt.  Kevin is a great speaker on educational technology and a compelling advocate for our kids.  I spent most of the day listening to his break-out sessions and was a little disappointed when I had to go and give my own.  The intent of this blog and the next few is to process and share the great tips, sites, etc. that I have picked up the past two weeks.

• Lulu - is a site which allows you to publish books for free.  Teachers could compile the best writing for the year and submit it to the site in a pdf.  The teacher determines the cost (added to the reasonable printing costs) and all sales take place on the site.  The teacher can simply give parents the web address and set them loose.  Kevin said that some schools are even using this for their yearbooks.

• Kevin made some interesting points about how our brains work.  

• When we have a "lazy eye" or some other deficiency the brain will often "cut bait" for lack of use.  This is why it is so important to get treatment to make these deficiencies work harder before it is too late.  Kevin's assertion is that this could also hold true for kids who "aren't good at numbers" or "hate to read."  
• These devices (tablets, laptops, etc.) have become extensions of our brains or appendages.  We are outsourcing our data to them because we can access it so readily.  When we don't allow students access to these devices at school it is like cutting off their limbs at the door.  

• Kevin talked about the benefits of backchanneling or giving students the ability to ask questions or contribute information during a class.  He mentioned using Google Docs, Wall Wisher, or Today's Meet.  An example would be sending kids to find information on Columbus and posting it on the Backchannel.  A student who cites incorrectly or cites a non-reliable source would have their contribution deleted.  This would help teach the skill of finding reliable information on the internet and not plagiarizing.
• Kevin talked about how we should attempt to put information in story format to make it stickier. 
• A tale of two teachers - Kevin gave us a description of two teachers.

• Teacher A - Strong knowledge of subject, strong teacher, depends on self for information
• Teacher B - less content knowledge, depends on a network for information
• Who do you hire?
• Kevin recommends that we think of the teacher they will be 10 years from now.  Which one do you think will be the stronger teacher then?
• The big question for us educators is:  Where do you get your information?

• Narratives are powerful vehicles for helping people retain contain.  For all subjects, Kevin recommends finding a way to put important information in a narrative format.
• Where are we throwing the football?  For me, this was his best analogy yet.  When a QB throws a football, he doesn't throw it where the receiver is, but where they will/should be.  Otherwise, the ball goes behind the receiver.  This analogy works for our kids.  We need to throw education where the kids will/should be in order to truly prepare them for their future.

Confessions of an Educational Resources Hoarder

Okay, I confess.  I hoard my resources like a squirrel hoards nuts for the winter.

I felt completely convicted as I read a blog by @InnovativeEdu today.  The idea is that we have teachers all across the world teaching the exact same subjects, and yet they are working in isolation to come up with the same resources, lessons, activities, etc.  Imagine the time which could be saved if we all opened our planning books and shared the best of the best.

Trying to find the best way to teach the Pythagorean Theorem?

Don't reinvent the wheel.

Check in with colleagues across the country and find five "best" ways to teach it.

Does this mean we shouldn't individualize our classrooms?  Absolutely not.  We must always fit our plans to meet the needs of the specific students in our classroom.  Still, imagine what teachers could do with the time spent coming up with lessons from scratch.

The challenges?  Proprietary rights and mindset.  I am guilty of this.  I was just talking with my principal @kristin_nass about this yesterday.  If I put together an awesome presentation I want to take it out and  show it off!  I want to show the world what I created.  BUT, don't ask me to put it on Slideshare.com and let just anyone take credit for my work.  That idea makes me physically queasy.

So I began forcing myself through a thought process:

First, off - I must filter everything through the question - "What is the best choice to affect student learning?"

Second...er...off - most of the stuff in my presentations I stole from other people online...(:

So, we all must overcome that "digital immigrant" mindset where we hoard and hide our best work.

Get it out there!

If something works, share it!

If something fails, well...keep those lessons to yourself, but share the experience.

I have had a Personal Learning Network (PLN) for only three weeks, but I can't ever go back.  My personal goal is to become as much of a "sharer" as I am a "taker."

I hope you will join me.

Reinventing the Wheel