Leading, Learning and Living in a Flat World

Computer based learning

Well, I found this video to be very interesting.  I had no idea this was in place so long ago. I have my doubts to its technological feasibility back then, but today this is absolutely possible.  In fact I watched Kindergartners yesterday doing this exact thing.   My thoughts are this is how we are going to get them to remmber what is they need to remember and give us the time with the teachers to be creative with the knowledge they gain.

1 comment October 28, 2009

Shmoop

Great resource for teachers and students..
“Shmoop will make you a better lover*
* of literature, history, life…”

“Shmoop is lovingly created by Ph.D. and Masters students from top universities – primarily Stanford and U.C. Berkeley.   Many of us have taught at the college and high school levels.”

Add comment September 30, 2009

Great video on “why school sucks”

Very thought provoking.

Dr. Tae — Building A New Culture Of Teaching And Learning from Dr. Tae on Vimeo.

Add comment August 24, 2009

Wiffiti

How cool is this little gem, post it on your webpage or post show it on a large TV.

Add comment August 13, 2009

Apple’s Tablet PC for education.

Image via Wikipedia

I just got done reading The Apple tablet is a non-starter in Ed without content. article by Chris Dawson and was thinking…. How will Apple and others make money in education.
That is the question many have asked and failed to figure out. Unfortunately education is too slow to change to make effective use of cutting edge technology (remember the eMate). Companies do not have the time to make a profit 10 years from when they introduce a product. That is why they will make a killing and change the cell phone industry selling MP3 players that can make calls but will not change education by making computers that can be a textbook.

The solution will be when a company will create entertainment that will educate. The logical thinking game Myst is an old school example. Plenty of others are like it teaching one skill or another. But what happens when Myst XI teaching you HS Physics or Algebra? Crazy but its what the “people” will buy.

Problem / Project based “games” will not only engage students they will CHANGE the way we teach and learn. This will cause kids and parents to buy such devices not schools.

Add comment  Tagged:  Apple, Chris Dawson July 27, 2009

Change our Math?

Do you think we should change our math curriculum? I mean it has been “working” for almost a century now, when do we need to change?  Do you have any thoughts after watching this video? There are some that think it would be foolish to change based solely on what is needed vs our learning experiences. Thoughts?

1 comment  Tagged:  Math July 20, 2009

eSchool News article on ‘School of the Future’

Image by harold.lloyd (won’t somebody think of the bokeh?) via Flickr

This article in the July 1, 2009 eSchool News is well worth the read.  The Philadelphia School of the Future as had some struggles and had a panel investigate what is causing their difficulties.  I agree with Frederick Hess, it is refreshing to see people hang out their dirty laundry for others to learn from.  It takes real courage to say things aren’t working and here are some reasons why.  I believe it helps us all.

Some highlights:

• Have a clear goal
• Have a system to maintain focus despite attrition
• Provide teacher/student technology training
• Provide adequate technology support
• Have a commitment and process to foster community partnerships
• Large scale innovative changes take time.

http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=58973

Add comment July 6, 2009

Will the xbox replace the teacher?

Image via Wikipedia

I am a firm believer you should wake up every morning and think “who will replace me” and then figure how you can do it before they do. So the question is can game makers, replace the 20th century teacher? If your job is simply to teach a skill then i think the answer is yes. We have to teach our kids so much more then that. So let’s let the technology teach the skills and let us focus on teaching them, what why, and how to use that skill. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=58473

1 comment June 11, 2009

Leading Change

Add comment June 11, 2009

Shifting K12 education

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In was reading this article “Developing the 21st century mind” by Lou Tise and was thinking about this quote.

“Many of the companies we work with have had to initiate massive cultural and organizational changes in order to stay in business. To do this, they have had to develop new ways of thinking. With our help, they have moved from Newtonian to Whiteheadian leadership. They have moved from being staffed by people who simply do what they’re told to people who actively participate in decisions that affect them and their organization. They have moved from seeing employees as problems to seeing them as problem solvers. And they have moved from closed-door strategic planning to open vision-building sessions and free-flowing information. As a result, their productivity has increased, even when significant downsizing has been necessary.”

I was thinking, what “massive cultural and organizational changes” has K12 education taken? If we have made changes, are the the right ones?  Do they lead to future employees who can actively participate and problem solve?  Are we, in education, creating 21st century citizens or 20th Century scholars?

Add comment  Tagged:  Business, Education, Leadership May 28, 2009