Beyond School

The 21st Century School House: Starting to think about where to begin with a batch of digitally challenged teachers Annotated

Bing Miller of The 21st Century Schoolhouse blog steps back and reflects on his “pioneer days” exploring the read/write web in the classroom. I need to do the same sort of thing myself. I reflect on each leg of the journey on Beyond School, but think Bing’s move here would help me see my own classroom journey from a different, “big picture” angle, and shed some new light.

Bing then moves on to another great question: What’s the best way to bring new teachers in to these tools–without ruining for them and the students?

Here’s a clip, but the whole post is worth reading.

I’m not exactly where this all started, but I’ve been hashing out the subtleties of using blogs and blogging in the classroom. There’s been some good conversation about just what is the best use of blogs by students as part of a class. Clay [NOTE: I would say "the conversation on the blog has led to"--C.B.] has smartly drawn a fine distinction in the pedagogy of using blogs in class, separating them into two different types, for two different purposes. Others have pointed to earlier portfolio assessment models as a place to look for further ideas for refinement. [. . . .]Essentially, it comes down to what we, as teachers, believe will best serve our students.

All this talk has prompted me to look back on my short journey of discovery this year. If we are going to ask - expect - demand - other teachers to embrace this new technology and use it to promote 21st century skills, where is the best place to start with a batch of digitally illiterate teachers? Or even those with basic digital skills who are still unaware of the full educational potential of web 2.0. I can’t imagine that my path would be the most effective model in which to bring others along.

Let me step back in time a few months…

The Onion: Child-Safety Experts Call For Restrictions On Childhood Imagination (Satire) Annotated

Thanks to Karl Fisch for this one. Luckily, The Onion is not blocked at my school.

Although no cure has yet been developed for childhood imagination, preventative measures can deter children from potentially hazardous bouts of make-believe.

“Many of the suggestions are really quite simple, like breaking down cardboard boxes or sewing cushions to couches so they cannot be converted into forts or playhouses,” McMillan said. “Blank pieces of paper, which can inspire non-reality-based drawings, should be discarded unless they are used in one of our recommended diagonal folding and unfolding activities. And all loose sticks left lying in the yard should be carefully labeled ‘Not a Sword.’”

Unfortunately, removing everything from a child’s field of view that could stimulate his active young mind is extremely time-consuming, and infeasible as a long-term solution, McMillan acknowledges. “To truly protect your children, you must go to great lengths to completely eliminate their curiosity, crush their spirit of amazement, and eradicate their childlike glee. Watch for the danger signs: faraway expressions, giggle fits, and a general air of carefree contentment.”

Added McMillan: “Remember, if you see a single sparkle of excitement in their eyes, you haven’t done enough.”

If you like this post, please spread it:

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