As we continue to move through the 21st century, this book highlights the educational system seems to be operating like its stuck in the past. Why are we continuing to educate today's students for the past when they have big, bright futures to look forward to. When I'm sitting at home or at school, either teaching at high school or taking classes at the university, and I have a question I grab either my computer, smartphone, Chromebook or iPad and push these 10 keys: google.com. Why are we not giving the same access to our students who are sitting in their desks expected to learn from outdated textbooks? Most all of my current students (95% of them) have a device that they can access the internet with right there in class, that they too can utilize, to enrich and make the curriculum relevant...but they can't because in the front of the class is a "NO CELL PHONE" sign. A great quote from Will Richardson says, "In times of great change, learners will inherit the Earth, while the learned will be beautifully quipped for a world that no longer exists." (page 47).
Is there hope? Absolutely. Change is coming (or has in many classrooms around the country). Many educators see the value in student's collaborating, discovering, questioning and showing us what they can do or make with the curriculum, either using the internet or not. It is time for teachers to put the learning onto the students and give them opportunities to show us when they can do, create or make with what they have learned. It time to give students access to collaborate with other students, professionals, experts from around the world so they can have a sense of pride and ownership of their learning, so they know that what they "do" in school has meaning more than a letter grade.
Tara
Is there hope? Absolutely. Change is coming (or has in many classrooms around the country). Many educators see the value in student's collaborating, discovering, questioning and showing us what they can do or make with the curriculum, either using the internet or not. It is time for teachers to put the learning onto the students and give them opportunities to show us when they can do, create or make with what they have learned. It time to give students access to collaborate with other students, professionals, experts from around the world so they can have a sense of pride and ownership of their learning, so they know that what they "do" in school has meaning more than a letter grade.
Tara