Archive for May, 2009

I don’t want to change the system! – A KYHOI

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

KYHOI – A Knock Your Head Off Idea.

We each keep banging our head against the wall because we can’t figure out how to change the system of schooling in our country! From “School Reform” to individual teacher efforts to combat the system we keep up the valiant struggle.
In responding to the comment to my blog from JBVH, it hit me this morning like a ton of bricks. Mea Culpa! I’ve been trying to focus on how to change the system and that’s the wrong struggle. That throws me against the system time after time. Problem with that is the “System” is much bigger and stronger than I am and has much more historical experience at self preservation. In addition, over the years it has become more and more reinforced internally and externally through policy and practice. Not the fault of the system, in fact there is much I admire about its roots and goals.
We don’t need to “change the system”. What we really want is not a changed system, it’s better and better ways to make sure each child can learn at the highest possible levels. That’s where our focus needs to be, not on changing the system.
Now it’s time to begin considering questions such as What does that mean for each person who shares the desire for that goal? What’s it mean for a classroom teacher? What does it mean for an administrator? What’s that mean for kids and their parents? That’s not easy. If you are, for example, a science teacher then you have a dual role – you have to fulfill your “system” obligations, but at the same time pursue the notion of “How do I ALSO provide opportunities for each of my students to learn science at the highest possible levels?”
Hmmmm. . . let’s think about this together.

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We need learning systems to complement our school systems

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

I just finished participating in yet another tremendous webinar on Technology in Education hosted by Steve Hargadon. Interesting but frustrating. There are so many powerful tools to help students learn that it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement of this “new world”. By reading the ongoing chat during the session, you could see the excitement grow among the participants. Of course, some participants were noting that the guest was talking about a university experience, not a K-12 situation, and many others were lamenting that as teachers they couldn’t even log in to the webinar from school because of all the filters that block anyone from access. So the question kept coming up about how one could teach using all these great Web 2.0 tools if so many of them are blocked.

The problem is — Web 2.0 tools are powerful “learning” tools, not “schooling” tools. That makes the need for them minimal in the system. This is also why it’s not surprising that almost every system (including my own home district) blocks almost all web 2.0 sites for students and teachers. No district “needs” them to “do” school, and it is certainly easier for everyone if no one has to deal with the difficulties and “hassles” they bring. What if a student writes something inappropriate in a live chat? or to a classmate? or about a teacher? It’s easier all the way around not to have to deal with those issues. Besides, we have successfully had “modern” schools for a century without Web 2.0 tools, so obviously they are not necessary.

As I noted, the problem is that schools are set up for “schooling” and these are tools designed to enhance “learning”! Yes, of course, learning sometimes happens in a school setting, but as I’ve said before, learning is a fortunate byproduct of the process. Individual learning at the highest levels is
not the purpose of school and I can accept that — for the system. I just want to make sure we are figuring out ways to create learning systems to complement our school systems.

Comments? Feedback? PLEASE join the discussion.

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