What I No Longer Need to Know

With technology changing so rapidly, there is always something new to learn. We are bombarded with stimuli radiating from our mobile devices. How much of this we actually attend to is uncertain. We do know, thanks to the research of Dr. Gary Small and others, that web based information is changing the development and functioning of our brains. Since our clocks and calendars are remaining constant while the amount of information we are exposed to keeps doubling every twelve months, something has got to give. Either double the number of hours in a day, or allow us to scrape some obsolete scraps from our learning plates. In order to make additional room for modern learning, here are some things that I would like to remove from my personal learning platter.

Cursive handwriting - I took a drafting class in junior high school, that was almost forty years ago. That also marked the end of my days writing in cursive. As my family will attest, my ability to write using pen and paper is downright pitiful. Dixon Ticonderoga #2 pencils, and Bic medium point pens are being replaced by bluetooth keyboards and Siri. Handwriting has become an obsolete skill. Off my plate!
Spelling - Every device I carry, and nearly every app I use has built-in spell check. I used Blogger's spell check just now. Intuitive word completion makes my messages unpredictably exciting! Spelling has become an obsolete skill. Off my plate!
Basic mathematical functions - School House Rock helped me learn my multiplication tables back in the day. No need for that anymore, I've got an app for that. Calculating in my head has become obsolete. Off my plate!
Map reading - I couldn't wait for my parents' National Geographic to arrive in the mail so that I could pull out that month's fold up map. One of my bedroom walls was almost entirely covered by a map of the world. My dad loves reading maps. I love reading maps! Alas, I now have GPS to blame for getting lost. Sadly, reading maps has become an obsolete skill. Off my plate!
Reading an analog clock - I no longer wear a watch because I wear my smart phone. There is a digital clock on almost every device and appliance in our home. Big hand, little hand, is no longer an important concept. Off my plate!
Reading gauges and meters - Thermometer, barometer, and tire pressure gauge. All replaced by digital technologies. Off my plate!

Source: http://www.informl.com/2006/11/17/you-can-learn-to-be-a-star-performer/

What would you remove from the dinner plate of learning?

This list is "tongue in cheek" for sure, but educators and students should at least engage in conversations regarding "learnings" that are meaningful and relevant, versus those that are better suited for an antiquated time. Teachers ask yourself, "Are you preparing your students for yesterday, or are you preparing them for tomorrow?" We all recognize the value of time. Let's effectively use time to help future-proof ourselves and our students.

photo credit: Walt Jabsco via photopin cc

6 Reasons for Teachers and Students to Love "Big Hero 6"

Wanting a break from last week's IETC conference in Springfield, I decided to walk across the street to the AMC-8 theater to see " Big Hero 6 ". I thoroughly enjoyed my second viewing of " Big Hero 6 " with a big bag of popcorn and a large Coke. If you are a teacher or a student, you will love this movie, not only because it's a captivating story, but also because it features themes currently prominent in learning and education. A box-office hit, here are six themes from this movie that will have teachers and students laughing and cheering from their theater seats. STEM EDUCATION - 14 year old robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada uses his engineering skills to inventively help his heroic friends overcome an evil adversary. Science, math, and technology are featured problem solving tools for Hiro and his robot friend, Baymax. When times get tough, Hiro encourages his friends to find solutions through creativity and innovation. Credit to Disney for trut...

Board Games in the School Library: 3 Reasons Why It's a Winning Play

"Play is the highest form of research." - Albert Einstein “Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori In our recently remodeled school media center, we have a space dedicated to active engagement in fun learning activities. Part maker space, part literacy lounge, board games are being incorporated to promote a culture of joyful learning. Whether it's a game of Rummy , Yahtzee , or Scrabble , family game night serves as a communication elixir and solidifies our domestic climate of togetherness. Shouldn't similar opportunities for interaction, challenge, and fun exist somewhere in our schools? Broken families, cultural fragmentation, and poverty are impacting opportunities for children to play. As we unpacked and tagged our new media center games, I was more disappointed than shocked by the number of students who had never played Monopoly , Boggle , or Sorry . One skeptical teacher commented, "Oh great, now we're letting students pl...

Self-Directed vs. Self-Determined Learning; What's the Difference?

"We need to move beyond the idea that an education is something that is provided for us, and toward the idea that an education is something that we create for ourselves." - Stephen Downes In this age of abundance of information, shifting classroom pedagogy isn't nearly enough to make learning in school more relevant and authentic for the learner. Self-directed learning ( andragogy ), and self-determined learning ( heutagogy ) are the ideals necessary in making students " future ready " to live and learn in a web-connected world. While original research applied these concepts to mature learners, it has become apparent that even young children have an abundant capacity for recognizing and directing their learning. Anyone who has observed toddlers learning how to walk and talk understand the motivation and skill development that quickly develops during these processes. Considered by some to be on a learning continuum, self-directed learning, and self-determined ...

Nocking the Arrow

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