I recently had the opportunity to present at and attend the School Leaders Advancing Technology in Education Conference in Wisconsin. A high-energy, action-packed conference that brought many educators together to discuss all aspects of technology in the classroom. While some educators may grimace at the sound of technology in the classroom, this conference provided opportunities to listen, think, collaborate, and challenge the traditional way of thinking about a classroom as we know it.
Yet, the most profound impact for me came from closing keynote George Couros, author of the critically acclaimed book "Innovator's Mindset". George's charisma and presentation skills were only outdone by his passion for putting students first in each and every classroom. As the image denotes, curriculum only tells us WHAT to teach out students, not the HOW.
As I sat and listened to George for a solid hour, I couldn't help but continue to come back to this image and quote that George shared. Where have we gone wrong as an educational community that we place more emphasis on what we teach our students versus how we teach them. Yes, I know that all educators are asked to do more with less, to teach more students each day, and be held accountable to high-stakes standardized tests. However, somewhere along the way we forgot why we went into teaching - to help shape, mentor, and change the lives of students one day at a time.
This week, I've also participated in the Ditch that Textbook virtual summit (http://ditchsummit.com/). One of the consistent messages coming out of the first five days is the need to get to know our students on a personal level. A willingness to spend time understanding who they are, what they like to do, what their strengths are, and using this information to help them navigate learning today. While technology plays a large role in their lives, it does not have to dictate each and every moment of their day at school.
Jornea Erwin, the Savvy Educator, provided this incredible visual that can help us meet our students needs, while also making sure we stay true to our curriculum. As we get to know our students and what strengths and aspirations they hold, we can then push them to create, collaborate, critical think, and communicate their learning in ways we never thought even possible.
As I reflected over the past few weeks, I began to realize this is why I chose to use Flipped Learning. I really wanted to get to know my students, understand what their struggles were, and help them identify ways in which they could be successful. Innovation doesn't come from the technology we decide to throw at our students. Innovation doesn't come from trying something different. No, innovation comes from the willingness to cast aside doubt, fear, and history. Innovation comes from educators putting students first - knowing that HOW we teach students is often far more important than what we teach them.
As Joe Marquez says, "the greatest tool in any classroom will always be the TEACHER!"
The demands on today's educators to meet the needs of ALL learners continue to evolve and change quicker than the rise of Twitter. When you examine the teacher workload that includes high-stakes testing, incorporation of technology, behavior plans, Individualized Educational Plans, intervention strategies/programs, performance-based pay, and coaching duties - it's no wonder lesson planning and high-quality instruction may take a back seat.
Yet, there is a very unique and humble solution - Let the Students Drive! Who knows their own learning style better than each and every student. Why must we continue to confine students to the same rigor and assessment style that has not worked for decades? As educators, we set the criteria for learning, but why not let the students choose how they show you what has been learned?
While a bit scary, and perhaps intimidating at first, allowing your students to drive their education will engage them in the learning process in ways you could have never imagine. Instead of asking students to recite a formula in math, why not let them create a rap or song to show off their artistic side? Rather than an old-fashioned Power Point, why not allow students to use a web tool to display their knowledge of the food chain? Better yet, instead of writing a paper about the Holocaust, why not allow students to complete Character Sketches through the use of a Blog to role play and interact with classmates?
You see, the more educators try to stay the same, the more students push back. Aren't we the content experts - don't we already know the answers? At some point, we need to teach students how to UNLEARN what they have already LEARNED about learning. Allow students to choose their vehicle of learning. Allow students to choose how to get to the destination. Allow students to fail and challenge our own thinking. Only then can we be the expert that helps guide them along the way and back on the right path when they are wrong. In doing so so, we can help students better develop critical thinking, problem solving, and analyzing skills.
If only we all taught like Pirates, as Dave Burgess would say. We need to teach with Passion, Immerse ourselves in our subjects, build Rapport with our students, Ask/Analyze our current practices, Transform our classroom practices, and be Enthusiastic.
Will you let your students drive the ship matey? Aaargghh
