CHANGEd: What if we really examined our identity as schools? 60-60-60 #16

Posted on March 23, 2012 by boadams1

Please make 23 minutes and 41 seconds to watch Bryan Stevenson’s TED talk: “We need to talk about an injustice.”

The opposite of poverty is not wealth. … In too many places, the opposite of poverty is justice.

Stevenson’s talk has me thinking almost constantly about why we are not more purposefully, more systemically, more deliberately re-examining our identity as schools. What is school for? Why are we not re-organizing more curriculum and experiences around such grand challenges of justice, fairness, inclusion,…. Through these lenses, we could practice literacies of many types, numeracy in context, social science, communication for authentic purpose. Young people have a wonderful sense of fairness. We should harness and educate this sense and make a stronger impact on our world…now.

As schools, we need to keep our eyes on the prize. The real prize.

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

[Sorry about the word count today. I failed BIG with 2x the word goal.]

CHANGEd: What if we offered courses in News and Studio Hall? 60-60-60 #15

Posted on March 22, 2012 by boadams1

Most schools offer “History,” and many provide “Study Hall.” What if we offered “News?” Various points of entry for current events and modern journalism could be explored. By nature, the topic is transdisciplinary and PBL-rich. I can imagine weaving in every discipline. In “Studio Hall,” learners of all ages could use time to create, not just to complete (Study Hall’s focus).

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

CHANGEd: What if we used version software designation to signal purposeful growth? 60-60-60 #14

Posted on March 21, 2012 by boadams1

One of many reasons I feel drawn to Unboundary involves their intentional practice of using version software designation to signal purposeful growth in the company. As the world and surrounds change, Unboundary adapts and evolves. Currently, the team designates itself “Unboundary 6.5.” More than just the suffixing of a number, the process under-girding this practice promises attention to change – kaizen – as a constant. Culture is transformed when a community knows that the version number should change…will change. What if schools used version software designation to signal such purposeful change?

CHANGEd: What if we expected and empowered students to co-design curriculum? 60-60-60 #13

Posted on March 20, 2012 by boadams1

Because I work a lot in the domain of Project-Based Learning (PBL), I participate in a number of conversations and ideations about great, future PBL ideas. I never cease to be amazed, though, at how quickly many adults see the PBL-design process as adult-centric. We neaten the mess of education-industry learning too much, and we too often exclude systemic inclusion of students in these early design stages. What if we expected and empowered students to co-design curriculum?

* Screenshot of just two related tweets summarizing some of Pat Bassett’s comments
in a plenary session at 2012 NAIS Annual Conference.

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

CHANGEd: What if homework were just that? 60-60-60 #12

Posted on March 19, 2012 by boadams1

What if our standing homework assignment was to spend time with family, friends, and personal passions? Time to work on our home, not just time to extend school into the place called home. When we think of the balance we want in our own lives and in the lives of our children, might such a practice actually advance us all? What might students choose to do…with time?!