NEW PLAYERS...NEW PLAYING FIELDS!

New technologies need new behaviors…(Posted on Dangerously Irrelevant)  makes me think we might also need new players and new playing fields. I have been thinking about this a lot and so much energy is devoted to changing the educational system for the children and college students. I think it needs to be much larger. Lets remember that teachers like to say they are life long learners. There are life long learners in all age ranges. True education never stops how can the playing field open up to all learners of all ages so everyone can learn from everyone. Past practice had families all living together and learning from every generation. Why aren’t we doing that. The retired individuals will be one of the largest in Iowa very soon. How can that be tapped. They have a lot to teach but also I feel want to learn also. Who else is a player that is not being considered and what other playing fields need to be opened up?  Technology can open up the fields but relationships will have  to provide the players. 

PDE...Professional Development Excitement!!!

On  Monday  Praire Valley Elementary will host two neighboring school districts in an all day professional development.  Thanks to all that organized the event !  After discussions on tri-mester schedules and standard based instruction all the staff will break into small grade level groups and subject area groups.  I am excited because...
1. As a teacher I always hoped for a professional development activity where I could talk with teachers who taught what I did in other schools and school districts.
2. As a first year administrator I relish the idea of bringing so many great educators together to share ideas and experiences.
3. I love to learn and what an opportunity!!!
Not sure how many times this is done but rural school districts need to do this far more than they do.  The state of Iowa needs to see this happening and support it in any way possible.
More to come after the big day...

Real Books.....

http://youtu.be/SKVcQnyEIT8

I love to read, I will read almost anything.

I love books and will read almost any book.

I do not have a Kindle but would like one just because I can read almost anything or any book on one.

But I really have a passion for 'Real Books'!

A book that I can read while also turning pages.

So watch the youtube above and enjoy along with me.

No excuses ...I just love REAL Books.

Make teaching relevant...relevant to whom?

I have been reading a lot lately about how important it is to teach students so that they can see that what they are learning is relevant. My question is relevant to whom?

Relevant to a teenager who is interested in skateboarding, hanging out, and what new phone they want?

Relevant to the student who wants to go to college but doesn't know for sure if they want to be a lawyer or perhaps and criminal investigator?

Relevant as decided by a teacher who must decide what is relevant to 124 students a day aged 13 to 20?

Relevant as decided by a parent who knows for sure that their son/daughter is going to be a doctor or engineer?

Relevant to a administrator who is trying to understand 21st Century Skills, Core Curriculum, and every other new idea and mandate that the state and federal government pass?

Relevant to companies that are looking for employees who have welding skills, people skills, and laboratory skills?

Relevant...really. It sounds so easy.

Tell me is what was relevant when you were in junior/ senior high school relevant now?

Relevant teaching and experiences are time sensitive. How can teaching be relevant to all students at all times?

I hated math and even dropped a class because I knew I would never use it ...it was not relevant to me. Guess what? I needed that class 20 years later and wish someone had made me sit there and learn it when I was young. How could that teacher have proven to me that the course was relevant to my future? I know that the math teacher couldn't have done that know matter how talented the educator  was and no matter how the instructor danced on the desks and sang it to a rap song. I will say being made to complete the course as a pre-college prerequisite probably would of done it. I would of hated and complained the entire time but I would of done it because that would be relevant for me, but how many others in the class?

So teach courses that are relevant to students ...I agree with that...but also know that unless you are a magician, what is relevant is not applicable to everyone. Some times you just need to learn something you don't find relevant, or interesting, or fun............