pdZone

I wrote the following back in April:

Here is a webcast of a presentation by Alan November. He speaks about the need for change in how children receive an education. Some of the point he makes are about the need for:

• higher standards
• differentiated instruction
• children to be “desperate to learn”

His use of the term “digital immigrant” reminded me of the articles by Marc Prensky, entitled Digital Natives. In it, he speaks about the need to recognize what students know and what students need in the world of increased technology use. The articles can be found below.

Part 1

Part 2

As I reflect on this post, I think about other content that I have read in the intervening time. Mr. November’s remarks certainly resonate with me. In May, Will Richardson referred to Mr. November in posting his thoughts on the importance of finding a way to produce “fearless learners” within the context of what he calls “fearful schools”. Will writes about the limitations that are often placed on our use of technology and which prevent us from taking a global view of education. Instead of reaping the full benefit of the almost possibilities of the read-write web, students are so often bound by the walls of our classrooms.

In his post, Will also mentions a book by Thomas Friedman, entitled The World is Flat. Initially, I really was not interested in Friedman’s book. It sounded like another doom and gloom view of the current state of affairs in North America, but I have been reading more about it and find myself drawn to it. Further reading has produced various ways in which his theories fit into education. I think I’m hooked.

Tom Hoffman’s breakdown of Friedman’s “flatteners” provides an overview of the book, while Dr. Tim Tyson (via Anne) is recommending the book to his staff. I particularly like his goal of making students into “global life-long learners and collaborators who will be competitive in the global job market”. I find his thoughts inspiring as I think about the value of staff development and the type of world in which my students, and my own children, will live.

There is so much running around in my head right now, but it is almost 1:30 and I should get some sleep. It’s an exciting time to be in education!

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