Thing #23

Wow, what a journey! Again I reference the youtube video Pay Attention. If you haven't seen it already, take a peek.




I do wish someone would develop a course for "Phase II" of the 23 Things. It has been the best professional development I've had in some time. Since I've begun this course, I've shared everything I've learned with others in a weekly "Teacher Geekers" get together. We now have a handful of teachers using blogs and wikis that wouldn't have done so on their own. They are amazed how well students are responding to their style of learning!

So, what has taken the educational professional so long? Fear of the unknown.... They don't know what's out there, they aren't sure how to use it, they are worried it will take a long time to learn, they aren't sure if the learning curve is worth it to progress student knowledge, etc. Fear enables resistency. I've heard over and over again, "I don't have the time." True. Teachers don't have the time to waste on simple lecture and outdated lessons. Students need to know much more than in the 50's, 60's, etc. They will definitely need to know more than their teachers do now to be productive citizens in the next century. Boy, does that sound scary! The only way to build that type of capacity is to let go, encourage creativity and collaboration with the tools we have available - learning with and by technical means.

Since I've taken the leap, I've talked with others about developing a course similar to this for students as well. Maybe if more teachers see students applying these skills, they will be more motivated to change their delivery methods. Students will definitely need these skills as they leap into the post-secondary or employment scene. We definitely need to make rigorous course work relevant by applying the technology component that allows for intrinsic learning, collaboration, and creativity - all in the skill set for the next century.

Congratulations on a job very well done! I have taken the plunge and am forever "changed".