CHANGEd: What if instead of counting the days, we made the days count? 60-60-60 #37

Posted on April 13, 2012 by boadams1

When my sons are engaged in something they love and I try to end it, they say, “Just 5 more minutes please!”

One of my favorite moments in a classroom occurs when no one hears the bell because all are engrossed in what they are learning and doing.

I cannot tell you how many people recently are asking me, “So, are you counting the days until school ends?” Without any intent of obnoxiousness, I tend to answer, “Actually, Camp Sea Gull taught me not to count the days, but to make the days count.” As excited as I am for my next career chapter, I am loving what I am doing. I may not even hear the bell that signals summer vacation for the non-administrative types. I hope I am making the days count! What if we lived in such a way that we spread this model – to make the days count? What if we looked forward to the NOW, and taught students to do the same?

What would class and school look like…if at the “end” they begged for “Just 5 more minutes please!”

CHANGEd: What if…60-60-60 Project Explained

CHANGEd: What if we amplified the bright spots of lunch, recess, and PE? 60-60-60 #36

Posted on April 12, 2012 by boadams1

As a child, I LOVED school. I still love school. Interestingly, though, I can remember often telling others that my favorite things about school were lunch, recess, and P.E. I still hear students repeat this refrain. My own first-grade son retells events from lunch, recess, and PE far more often than other details. Is it the freedom to move around, choose, and explore? Is it the time to talk more freely and process one’s tales and experiences? What makes lunch, recess, and PE so popular? What if we amplified the bright spots of lunch, recess, and PE? How might we copy success and sprinkle the magic of these moments across a curriculum and schedule?

CHANGEd: What if…60-60-60 Project Explained

CHANGEd: What if we ridiculously relegate playgrounds to “outside of school?” 60-60-60 #35

Posted on April 11, 2012 by boadams1

“Where are all the playgrounds?,” asked Mrs. Simpson as the admissions director toured her family around the school campus.

“Oh, we’ve removed the play equipment due to safety concerns,” responded Mr. Cruse. “We trust that children can find time and place to play outside of school time. Without the equipment, there’s much less risk of anyone tragically getting hurt. This aligns with our risk-management futuring at School.”

“Thanks for your time, Mr. Cruse. We’ve seen enough of campus. We need to be moving along now.” Mrs. Simpson stepped toward the route to the parking lot as Susie’s grip on her mother’s hand shifted from a frightened squeeze to one of deep gratitude.

———-

How much did the hypothetical scenario shock you? Unfortunately, it may not be so hypothetical (see here).

What if we thought of “playgrounds” as metaphors for social media tools in schools? What if we thought of “playgrounds” as allegorical symbols for smart phones in schools? What if we thought….

What “playgrounds” are we outlawing in many schools when we allow for legal considerations to trump educational ones?

CHANGEd: What if…60-60-60 Project Explained

CHANGEd: What if we built school-innovation labs…in schools? 60-60-60 #34

Posted on April 10, 2012 by boadams1

This weekend, I watched the first TED talk below, which comes from Lucy McRae. McRae worked at Philips Electronics in the Far Future Design Research Lab. Some time ago, I watched the second TED talk below, which comes from Homaru Cantu and Ben Roche. Cantu and Roche utilize a research lab to design dining innovations for their Chicago restaurants Moto and ING.

If the future of schooling is as important as electronics and restaurant-ing, why aren’t more schools operating research and innovation labs or partnering together to do so? Sure, there are pockets of innovation in many schools – usually particular teachers who are innovating practice. But are there many systemic approaches to building and operating “school laboratories” within existing schools?! There should be! Transforming existing schools may depend on such R&D efforts.

Lucy McRae: How can technology transform the human body?

Homaro Cantu + Ben Roche: Cooking as alchemy

[NOTE: After I scheduled this post to auto-publish, John Burk left a great, related comment on 60-60-60 #32, so I am linking to it here. Also, @jbrettjacobsen and I talk quite a bit about this “school-within-a-school” idea – that existing schools seem to innovate by leveraging the non-monolithic nature of schools and amplifying the innovative practices, formal or informal institutes, etc. – essentially creating competition with oneself…two versions of one’s school. Interesting how this also relates to creative destruction concept.]

[NOTE #2: Sorry for length of this “60-word” post!]

CHANGEd: What if…60-60-60 Project Explained