"think:lab" has been inactive for a few days. Just a short breather. Best way to get back into the game is to run through the "to take a closer look at" list. Maybe you'll find something that'll grab your attention and can take me a bit further down the rabbit hole. To that end, here's the list:
- eSchool News offers more on 'virtual schools' and the 'isolation' question. For all of those out there that speak with passion about the importance of 'socialization' in traditional brick-n-mortar schools, this article might be of interest, challenge, or provocation. The underlying element in this link is in dispelling the 'myth' of isolated instruction in virtual schools. I can feel a much longer post on this one day soon. Start your engines...
- Been thinking, exploring, arguing on either side of the 'Intelligent Design' question? Very interesting article from the NYTimes discussing the Vatican's response to the recent Pennsylvania decision. As so much in life, nothing is ever absolutely predictable. Thanks to eSchool News for the original link.
- Yes, eSchool News again. Man, oh man, oh man...does this one get my attention (and again, thanks to eSchool News for the link; maybe a blue ribbon for these folks is deserved). Want to know how to figure out the future of your district? Hire professionals and consultants? Follow a tried-n-true curriculum design? Hire a new superintendent? Or...talk to your community, your parents, your neighbors, your partners...and see what 'school reform' looks like to them. Great article based in the experience of a Kentucky school district trying to tackle a redesign of the district's curriculum for relevance in the 21st century by actually asking the community! Show me a nation full of districts like this and maybe we can reclaim the power and magesty of public education across the board and really re-tip the scales back in the favor of school/community relationships. Definitely a longer, explorative post to follow one day soon.
- Quick diversion...although I can easily make a link to the 'future of learning' or at least the lives of students and teachers in the classroom. Levis announces a new love affair with the iPod. Here's the general jist: imagine your student in class with a new pair of RedWire DLX jeans (yes, you have to be more than just 'blue jeans' to compete in this new market). Why? Well, the new Levi model will have a joystick remote control built into the watch pocket (ah, that's what that is! -- but where will I put my 19th century pocket watch?) with a separate pocket designed to hold (and conceal -- can you see the classroom issue here?) the iPod, and a retractable headphone unit. Thanks to the most recent Trendcentral e-newsletter from the good folks at the intelligence group (they are also the group that connected me to Cool School, fyi). Mmmm...
- Thanks to DK (who I am far, far behind with in terms of pursuing his leads, suggestions), I am on a really wonderful listserve of 'youth initiatives' based in the UK. To that end, received a great PDF by the Children's Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) and Carla Garnelas the other day about a free 1-day training course for kids and teenagers to help them connect with national decision-makers and government officials, all focused on children's rights and looking at the future. While I'm not directly involved in anything in the UK these days, I am struck by how powerful a similar vehicle could be here in the US. Any takers? If you want, get in touch with me or add a comment and I'll send you the PDF. Or click on Carla and contact her directly.
- Question: Does one-size fits all mean equality in school planning? Seriously? Or is there a difference when setting and context and personalities and individual programs are taken into consideration? And what are the impacts on school design and planning? Well, thanks to the Small Schools Yahoo listserve, here's an interesting arcticle out of New Jersey that is looking at the issue of whether a school can be 'too large' and therefore 'not equal'. A really interesting re-framing of the issue! Sadly, I can't for the life or Google of me find a direct link to the newsource, but you can solve that by going directly to the above link for the Small Schools Yahoo listserve or the Small Schools Workshop in Chicago and start your hunt there. A quick teaser excerpt from the 1/17.06 article: "A proposal to build a new intermediate school and close two of Brunswick's elementary schools drew a wide range of viewpoints at a community forum held Monday at Curtis Memorial Library. To some in attendance, the plan, which was proposed last fall by Superintendent of Schools James Ashe, would place all of the town's elementary students in a less-than-ideal learning environment — one that would house as many as 750 third- through fifth-graders in one building.Others said the proposal should be considered because it could address some of the inequities — especially related to services for special needs students — that currently exist between the town's four elementary schools."
- Curious what our nation's teacher population looks like in terms of a demographic overview? Any ideas as to what the profession will look like in 5 years? 50 years? Try this fantastic link from Education Week magazine to look at some striking statistics. For instance: 1) percentage increase of teachers from 1990-2004, 2) state with highest and lowest teacher salary, 3) percentage of teachers who leave the profession within 5 years (!!!), 4) percentage of California teachers expected to retire in next 10 years, 5) percentage of teachers who are African-American males, 6) numbers of teachers who entered the profession through alternative-training programs last year, and 7) numbers of states that use portfolios for student assessments. Very striking picture this paints if you're at all curiosu about the 'future of learning'. Also, here's their "Trend Tracker" resource list that might also be of interest into issues in national education circles. Also from the Education Week folks, these might be of interest: 1) Schools need teachers who are "village elders"; 2) Houston increases pay-for-performance options for teachers who show increased test results with their students; 3) one ex-school official argues that the best way to improve education is to increase teacher pay and increase the size of each class.
- Edutopia offers the following, all of which I need to explore in much more detail: 1) Are school boards re-thinking the move into cyber/virtual schools? And why? Connected story out of Pennsylvania. 2) Gulf Coast Schools rebuiling process is planned (in part) thanks to a huge gathering in Atlanta recently. 3) Is there a downside to technology in the classroom? Ok, loaded question. More to the point, are classes hurt when classes become virtual, or is it just time for professors to re-think what it means for a student to 'attend'? Great article out of California explores this issue on campuses in the state. 4) Talked recently to the current leader of the Jason Project after reading a 'classroom of the future' article he wrote. Glad that Edutopia reminded me to learn more about this organization that brings math and science experts from around the world to work with kids in real-time. Founded by the discoverer of the RMS Titantic, too! Here's a story that Edutopia did on one project-based learning connection to the Jason Project. Very cool!
- From the US Dept. of Education and their "The Education Innovator" e-newsletter:
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