Saturday, September 26, 2015

Reflection on the day

Transformation. Learning to Change. Changing to Learn. Skeptics and Utopians. Dreams. Disenthrall. Revolution. 

These are the impressions I am leaving with today as they relate to our educational system as a whole and to the role of instructional technology in schools. As an educational leader, it is incumbent upon me to understand the power of technology in today's world and our responsibility to revolutionize how our children are being prepared for life and work. For decades, we have been saying that the industrial model is irrelevant and is, in fact, damaging our children's potential to find purpose and meaning.

I appreciate Sir Ken Robinson's call to revolutionize our system into an agricultural model where we create the conditions for optimal growth of our children's minds and hearts.
The meaning of the German word, kindergarten, is literally "children's garden" or a garden of children. This parallels Robinson's metaphor and reminds us of the root of formal learning. We need to give children the space to explore their interests and learn to build relationships with peers and adults.

In my work supporting children with disabilities, I need to find ways to expand not only children's access to their education, but also ways to tap into their abilities, interests, and learning styles. They have just as much to aspire to as "typically developing" children.

I am enjoying that this is not just a technical skills class, although learning how to launch and maintain a blog is very practical. The critical thinking piece is important and integral to my development as a leader.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for your comments, Bob! I'm hoping this class will be that unreachable balance of practical tools and ideas with high-level reflection that promotes both systemic change and stuff you can use tomorrow! We'll see how it turns out. Glad you enjoyed Sir Ken. He used to be a novelty for folks in the class, but I think he's gotten to be a part of the alternative voice in school reform (or revolution using his words) that many people have heard. I've read one of his books on creativity and it's a great read! So great to have you in class this Fall!

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  2. Thanks, Todd. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday for a day of learning.
    Bob

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