Common Sense Classroom

If you are in any way unfamiliar with the NCLB Act, you probably don’t reside in the U.S.A.  No Child Left Behind has been the mantra of those who hang out in educational circles for the better part of a decade. While I have always been quite vocal in my assertion that, “Every child I’m given the privilege of teaching WILL learn as much as they are able (beyond what I expected, or even hoped) within the time I have to spend with them – no excuses!”; I have an additional concern that often weighs heavily upon my heart.

While reading the chapter 4 about wikis in Will Richardson’s book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms,  the following passage started me thinking:

Already, students are turning to Wikipedia as a resource for research, much to the chagrin of many teachers and librarians.  As we’ve already discussed with blogs, knowing what sources to trust is becoming a much more labor-intensive exercise, and wikis, with many often anonymous authors, make that even more difficult.  The  idea that “it might be wrong” is a tough one for most people to overcome. (p. 59)

As I read this, my mind began to wander away from the examination of the role of  wikis in the classroom, to a quandary that has been a constant topic of conversation since I entered the online discussion regarding all things Edtech.  I began to reflect on the laments I have heard continuously from tech directors, coaches and facilitators throughout my PLN (both web-based and in RL).  They express a deeply felt concern that there are scores of teachers who are still reluctant to embrace technology as an integral part of the classroom curriculum. Tech integration as a seamless part of the content based curriculum seems to be beyond the comprehension of, what is perceived as, the vast majority of teachers.

This is a broad generalization, but in 19 years of public education I’ve made some observations.  Teachers tend to be “control freaks” by nature, and usually will not enthusiastically venture into things which we believe go beyond what fits into our personal sense of “rightness”.  Most teachers also seem to be resistant to change, and given a choice would probably never move to a new classroom, grade level or content area.  Finally, teachers are very busy folks, and find it difficult to give up things seen as “tried and true”, in favor of things that don’t fit into our entrenched paradigms of “quality” education.

The central question:  What is holding all of these teachers back and what can we do to change it?

I’ve often wondered, as technology liaison on my own campus, if it is a simple “fear factor” that holds some of my colleagues back.  Is embracing technology like going to the dentist – “I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m fairly certain I’m not going to like it…” -  thus leading to avoidance behavior?

I confess, there are many times, when I encounter a new tech tool that seems beyond my scope of current understanding, I still get that “niggling” feeling at the back of my neck.  I frequently face that moment of, “I don’t know if I can do this…” – but I don’t let it hold me back.  I just go ahead, dig in, and give it a go.  Unfortunately, I seem to be part of the exception, not the rule.  I have to admit, it bothers me more than a little bit that my young 1st grade students, who are into blogging, wikis, digital storytelling, and other  Web 2.0 technologies, are not likely to have the opportunity to grow in their use of the read/write web once they move beyond my classroom.  This could very easily lead me to embrace the pessimistic view held by many of my techie colleagues, but…

I see a new dawn on the horizon!

Through my online PLN I have been able to “hook up” with other like-minded educators, which make me feel part of a larger community and not quite so isolated as I explore things I never would have tried on my own.  I have my own 24/7 tech support when I get in over my head with an unfamiliar tool, courtesy of Twitter and Plurk. This opportunity has enabled me to create working models to use as examples to help more reluctant teachers visualize the possibilities, which could not have been conceived within their current scope of understanding.  Also, a climate of collaboration which has been encouraged by my past and current administrators, as well as a wonderful technology coach (even if he is my husband) who is there virtually “on demand” as much has possible, has created an environment for change.

In our culture of instant gratification, the change might seem like the ripple made by a gnat upon a great lake of calm waters; but it is change nonetheless.  I see change when there is an uproar led by the “old guard” teachers when email or network service goes down. I see change when teachers stream video to bring content areas alive rather than using the book and its worksheet companion.  I see change when teachers are using web-based applications as a literacy work station in the classroom on a daily basis.  I see change where within 3 years time, I went from being the only classroom blogger in my building, to having one or more active classroom bloggers in each grade level.  I see change.  I see change!

With a climate of collaboration and support, quality real-life classroom examples, and the enthusiasm of a few crazy teachers like myself, more and more students are having daily opportunities to work with Web 2.0 technologies, and as with all change – it starts small, but it begins to grow exponentially.

How do I hope to make sure there is no teacher left behind?  Easy!  Have a vision for the change I want to see, then let that change begin with me.

References:

Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. California: Corwin Press Inc.,U.S., 2008.

True confession: Contrary to popular opinion, I am not a social butterfly.  I am generally quite reclusive by nature, and social networking has always held little-to-no appeal for me.  That is, until I was shown the error (and limited thinking) of my ways by many colleagues at NECC 08.

Take it from a long-term social networking hold-out, Twitter has proven to be the most powerful tool for professional development I have ever experienced.   Social Networking for the sake of socializing seemed to be a waste of my precious non-working minutes.  However, blog posts such as this Edutopia piece, “Twittering, Not Frittering: Professional Development in 140 Characters”  really helped dispel my concerns about wasting my time on the application.  

My first order of business after creating my personal profile, was to begin searching for folks to learn from.  I began by following the folks I met at NECC08 who already use Twitter as a tool for professional development and collaboration.  Then I looked at the folks they were following and added many of them.  Durff’s Blog gives some common sense guidance on making good “follower” decisions. Within minutes of engaging in the conversation, I had bookmarked at least 15 links to applications that would have an immediate and direct impact not only on my own learning, but also that of my students and colleagues. 

Of course, as with any application, there are draw-backs. Twitter is limiting. You are confined to the 140 character format and the real-time timeline makes conversations difficult to follow sometimes (which is why I also Plurk).  One of my favorite bloggers, wrote a great post, “What I Hate About Twitter”.  I really appreciate this post by Will Richardson, mainly due to the conversation it inspired. You will see the true value and depth of the piece if you read the comments section,  which brings us back to the power of all social media as a professional development tool.  It is, quite simply, about the conversation.  Well used, tools like Twitter can help you “hook up” with amazing folks from around the world in the 140 character format, but through links can lead you to collaboration in the deeper format of blogs, wikis, webconferencing, webcasting and other applications that I have not yet had the time or opportunity to explore.

Bottom line:  Twitter  is indeed the most powerful tool for professional growth that I have experienced. I now have access to a world-wide Personal Learning Network that is ever-growing, ever-changing, and ever-challenging.  My learning is no longer limited to budget, location, or availability.  I have the world in my laptop, on my couch, in my living room.  Give it a try – your world will never be the same.