Saving the Dinosaur: Adapting Your Conception of Education to Meet the Flip

Visualize a monolithic and inflexible system in which the user is unable to penetrate the structure or even bend the framework. If you've got a vision of  a caveman trapped in a box canyon without a rope or even a rudimentary stone hammer to chip away at the canyon walls, then you've seen the peril that too many American school children face.

The current model of American Education is like a dinosaur that will inevitably be forced to change or die like the triceratops, stegosaurus and tyrannosaurus 65 million years before. Some folks argue whether it was an impact event, or a failure to adapt to changing conditions that led to the demise of our paleolithic predecessors, but unless we are struck with a meteor of catastrophic proportions in the next few years, it will be our failure to recognize and adapt to the changing conditions so ever-present in the world around us. While educational reformers yap about this and that, and blather away about standards-based learning, academic rigor and other educational psychobabble, the simple truth is that nothing will really have a meaningful impact until we realize that the conditions for learning have changed, and students are bored by our current monolithic, teacher-centered cookie-cutter system.

While we waste our precious time playing the political shell-game trying to stay one-step ahead of big-brother, and the achievement score police, who keep making standardized testing companies like ACT rich as the pockets of sleaze-ball politicos get fuller, we're allowing American education to die on the vine. Sadly, as we continue to bore students with ACT prep-driven instruction, and retest after practice retest them into zombie-like creatures, we continue to prohibit the very tools that students do their most effective learning with. How ironic is it that most students process and retain more information from their cell phones, MP3 players and other devices, which bring the world to them via YouTube, social media sites like Twitter and countless other highly adaptable and individualized technologies then they learned in school last year?

Have I angered you, yet? Sorry, but be angry; then realize that the conditions have changed, or to put it in educational psychobabble, the paradigm has shifted, and if you want to exist, you'll need to adapt. That means allowing kids to use their I pads, wikis and facebook to learn; it's what they do best. It means changing the way you do things in your class, and realizing it's about your students not you. It means accepting that the best tools for instruction are tools that your students are, most-likely,  more proficient with than you. It means that you have to actually use technology to create project-based 21st century global lessons, instead of using that fancy new whiteboard to replace the blackboard, or merely putting your notes into a simple power point or using the computer lab so that kids can utilize Microsoft Word. While those are all fine tools, you are basically using technology to replace the status quo, as University of Texas at Arlington Professor Andrew Berning has coined, which is at least a step, but understand for all intents and purposes you are still doing the same thing you've always done. Challenge yourself to learn about Web 2.O, cloud computing or an even fresher technology, and as you do, realize the benefits of those tools as you're asked to differentiate and individualize instruction.

But where is the evidence for the claims I've made, and what are some of the best  practices for adapting your current methods?

Check back later, for part two of Saving the Dinosaur: Adapting Your Conception of Education to Meet the Flip to find those answers, and see my prediction about where education is going in the next few years. In the meantime, check out the link below for a little precursor:

Tech tool boosts learning, study confirms

Replacing Grandma's Cheesecake: So, What's the Issue with Reconfiguring the School-Year.

How do you feel about extending the school day and going to a year-long school calendar?  Talk about a loaded question. Certainly, there has been a great deal of discourse surrounding this issue, and, of course, nothing seems to touch a cord with Americans as much as when they are asked to change the status quo.  We like what we are comfortable with, and that goes even more so with education. We’ve always had a 40 week school year and summers off, so it must be good, right?  Maybe, or maybe not, but if recent trends continue, change is coming. 

In spite of those trends, there will continue to be a great deal of debate as some districts and school boards resist, while many others will follow suit with this emerging trend. With that being said, the purpose of this post is to shed a little light on the issue and provide some balance, which I hope informs and allows for each of us to make the best choice for our kids when the question is inevitably raised in our locales. 

Without question, when most people hear “year-round” school, they immediately have a strong reaction one way or the other. One parent wrote, “I would hate it... These kids are burnt out. They need free time to play and have friends ....NO WAY TO LONGER DAYS AND GOING TO SCHOOL ALL YEAR... I ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH MY KIDS... THE WAY IT IS SOME PEOPLE THINK OF SCHOOL AS A BABY SITTING SERVICE SENDING THE KIDS TO SCHOOL SICK.”  Obviously, as the CAPS declare, she has very strong feelings and legitimate concerns, but in reality, a year-round school calendar would still provide the aforementioned kids with extensive free time and still enable them to spend quality time with their family. 

Nevertheless, most people immediately envision a schedule that leaves no time for summer vacations and the necessary mental break all students require to be at their best.  In spite of those legitimate concerns, the reality is that the year-round model actually keeps kids from burning out and at the same time increases their retention rate, while eliminating the wasted time teachers spend re-teaching concepts that kids lose over the traditional 3 month summer break. 

How is that possible,  you say? Interesting that you should ask; so here is the reality of what a typical year-round program looks like: In the most common design, the school year is split into four nine-week terms followed by three-week vacation between each session.  So essentially, the sequence is 45 school days followed by 15 days off not including weekends; basically breaking the year into 4 quarters.  Other models provide 6 weeks off in the summer with 3 weeks off during the winter (holiday season) and another 3 week break in the spring.  Another less popular, but fiscally prudent plan creates a multiple track plan that has the same 9 week quarters, but is divided between 4 groups of students, who have different breaks, so that at any given time only 3 of the 4 groups are in session. This model allows for more students to be taught during the same time period, which in theory would cost less money, and lower the overall class sizes across the curriculum (For more information and an extensive list of data-driven research, see http://www.ericdigests.org/2001-3/year.htm ).

The obvious benefit is that because the grading periods are shorter and the breaks more frequent, the likelihood of burn-out is greatly reduced and therefore, as logic indicates, the absentee rates would also be significantly cut for the same reasons.

Another important factor to consider is that a large majority of teachers, about 60 percent, according to one source (see the aforementioned link), prefer the year-round model.  In that vein, a local teacher, and parent, says, “I have thought that with the right calendar, it would be wonderful. The kids would have better retention and with more frequent mini breaks, I think the kids won't get so burned out this time of year.”

Certainly, as she goes on to say, “As a teacher, I understand contractual issues with extending the school [year] with regards to pay etc., “ but the benefits more than outweigh those minor roadblocks.

Another veteran teacher explains, “I would be okay with year round. My sister’s kids are year round, they have the same amount of time off; it's just broken up more though out the year. I think our students would be less burnt out if they had breaks between quarters or longer time between semesters.” 

Of course, not all teachers feel the same way, as witnessed by the comments of one grizzled teacher, who believes that "if the U.S. wants to see our suicide rate double in teens, then go for it. Summer break is needed for students and faculty to recharge themselves and to learn effectively. It's not like a Corporate America job where you can hide in your cubicle for a day and "recharge" - there are no hiding spots in a classroom!”

While not everyone agrees about lengthening the school year, it is fair to say that the model as witnessed in competitively driven countries like Japan, does lead to higher youth suicide rates and more of the typically adult-onset health issues like ulcers and other stress-related maladies. However, the model we’d most likely see in the U.S. would assuage those undeniably valid concerns. 

Perhaps, the best answer is somewhere in the middle: As a young, but gifted teacher writes, even as he opposes the notion of year-round school, “First, I believe the school day should not be lengthened, nor should the school year. The breaks should remain the same in duration, but be spread apart more. We are no longer an agrarian/agricultural area that needs free labor in the summer and early fall. These kids can't afford to forget the precious information they learn in school in an age where that is true wealth: knowledge and skill sets that are marketable.” 

In spite of this uneasy dichotomy of opinion that surrounds this contentious issue, I have an uncanny feeling that much of the resistance really comes down to our emotional and psychologically conservative nature, which causes many of us to hold tight to what we know and have been accustomed to. Change is an uncomfortable thing, but is often the very element that leads to meaningful growth.

Yet, to be fair, sometimes it does make sense to keep things the way they are, and granted, like the traditional school year, your Grandma’s cheesecake recipe has worked for 3 generations-so why would we want to change it? More than likely, we’d leave the recipe the way it was. It tasted great back in the 1930s and it still tastes good today, but sometimes other factors alter the paradigm and it becomes imperative to reevaluate the process by which we make our cheesecake. Certainly, we need to look at the underlying reasons we do anything, then, at the same time, consider if technology or other relevant variables have changed the equation.  Sometimes, as difficult as it may be, we need to let go of tradition, especially if we find a better or more effective way to do something. 

Consider for a moment that Grandma’s recipe calls for ingredients that were perfectly fine in the 1950s, but a recent study proves that one of those main ingredients causes lung cancer or some other equally heinous affliction. While I certainly love Grandma’s cheesecake, as a parent, I’d have to strongly consider finding a different recipe that was safe for my family to consume, and despite my yearnings for Grandma’s delicious recipe, I’d do so with the primary determinant being what was best for them. Unquestionably, when we evaluate our feelings about going to a year-long school calendar, we must analyze all the factors and then, above all else, decide with our primary motivation being what is in the best interest of our children; even if that means breaking with tradition.

And really...isn't Eli's Double Chocolate Chip Cheesecake every bit as good, if not better than, your Grandma's cheesecake?

Are You a Helicopter Parent?

How much control should parents have in directing their child's life? It's a matter of perspective, I suppose, but certainly when parents control every decision, choice or option, they are crippling, and, in all actuality, retarding their child's growth. Do you support and guide your children from the side, or do you control their every move like a maniacal puppet master? The answer to that question has serious implications for your children.

Unfortunately, the competitive nature of our society has pushed parents into an unrealistic fear that if they don't make every decision for their kid, they may miss an opportunity, or fail to move to the top of  the mythical, yet non-existent leader board of life. In reality, kids need space to fail, to make mistakes and to take responsibility for fixing their errors. Learning to overcome mistakes is one of the most powerful gifts we can bestow upon our children. Nevertheless, and with that being said, I certainly understand the innate and undeniable need to provide our children every possible advantage and to protect them from the inevitable missteps that ever adolescent takes. Yet, we must resist the natural tendency to give our kids the best of everything and deny our well-intended desire to save them from having to deal with hardships. Sometimes, the best lesson they can learn is what it's like to struggle a little, to know difficult times and to feel the pain of accepting the consequences of their actions, even if those consequences may occasionally set them back a step or two on the road to adulthood.

Sadly, many well-meaning parents have pushed their love too far, and in doing so, have taken the joy of life's simplest pleasures from their children. To wit: A young lady, who once loved soccer for its own sake, begins to look at it as a tedious, non-rewarding job. Why?  Because an over-zealous parent pushes her to far in the misguided dream of a scholarship offer. Another child sits in the office of a therapist with a stress-related psychological malady after being pushed to hard academically, and is left feeling anxious. Perhaps, the unintended victim of the unrealistic expectations of an over-involved, goal driven parent. Meanwhile, another young adult is left trembling behind the walls of an apartment they can no longer afford, feeling irresponsible and unable to make logical everyday decisions. Unfortunately, their parents took care of everything important, micro-managed their life and gave them with very few responsibilities up to that point in their life.

How do you deal with your child? Do you pay all their bills, make sure they follow up with all of their school-related responsibilities, or ensure that all of their homework has been finished every night? Perhaps, you have filled out a few job applications for them, or signed them up for the ACT or SAT test, or completed all of their college applications...perhaps, you're a  "Helicopter Parent!"

Despite our paternalistic instincts that say otherwise, the best answer to that question is that we need to give our kids space to grow, to develop basic life-skills and to manage their own responsibilities. Most importantly, parents must demonstrate self-control and restraint when it involves their children.

But what can parents do without being labeled with the obviously unfavorable "Helicopter" tag?

It's okay, you can go ahead and monitor grades, and step in when there is a problem, but calling the school  after every subpar assignment or quiz result is a definite sign that you're hovering a little too close. Back off and give your child the opportunity to self-correct. How will your child learn to handle the requirements of everyday living, if you take care of everything for them? Observe and guide, rather the control and do...Inspire and motivate, but hesitate when the urge to micro-manage burns in your belly. Beyond all else, accept your child for who they are, don't compare them to anyone else, and allow them to make mistakes...even the occasional BIG ones.  Their teachers and coaches, future mates, and most importantly, your own children will thank you later.

Site of the Week and a Sneak Peak at Future Posts

Check out this really great initiative from the AdCouncil and the USOC, then encourage you kids and teams to play asterisk free by clicking http://www.playasteriskfree.com/.

                             

Ad Council         US Olympic Committee

     

	"When you take steroids, there's no hiding it. Eventually everyone will see you for what you really are. A fake. A fraud. An Asterisk. Don't be an Asterisk. Play steroid free."

New posts coming shortly...

Helicopter Parents Video

 Look for upcoming features on "Helicopter" Parenting, a look at the recent call for extended school days and year long schools, and my bold prediction about where technology will take education in the next ten years...

Also, be on the lookout for a recap of my trip to the 2011 Connections Conference in St. Charles, Illinois. In the meantime, be sure to check out the following link: 

http://www.connectionsproject.ilstu.edu/

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Colleges for a Nutritionist Major | eHow.com

Check out my latest eHow article by clicking below
Colleges for a Nutritionist Major | eHow.com

7 Not-So-Secret Secrets to the College Admission and Scholarship Process

Whether your student is in 3rd grade, middle school or getting ready to take the ACT this spring, you've more than likely wondered if there are any secrets to gaining the favor of college admissions officers and scholarship committees.

While it may be obvious that grades are important, and the almighty ACT or SAT tests have traditionally  been important determinants, there are other things that can make your student very appealing to even the most selective and discerning schools. A recent trend has witnessed  many of the most prestigious schools going to a test-optional admission process. See the fair test website link below for a list of well-over 825 schools that have de-emphasized the standardized test scores or don't even require them as part of their application criteria.

See the searchable listing of schools.

Find out how and why colleges go Test Optional

College Admissions, Peterson's Guide to (Peterson's Guide to College Admissions)

Do you recognize any of these schools?

University of Iowa

• American University
• Arizona State 
• UCLA
• Knox College 
• DePaul (recently announced a move to test-optional admissions)
• Kansas State
• University of Iowa
• George Mason University
• Rollins
• Wake Forest University

Truth be told, if you have the money and the willingness to do a little footwork, there's a school for you, but to attend a more competitive school,  students need to develop a strong portfolio, which includes these 7 essential, if-not-so secret secrets:

1. Life Experience:     Whether it was a part-time job at the local burger joint, or a family vacation to Europe, students need to take account for the things they've experienced and be able to elaborate about them in a way that shows they are well-rounded and have a life beyond the world of academia.                                                                                                                        
2. Volunteer:     For the same reasons you need to document other life experiences, it is vital to give back and show a sincere and philanthropic side to your character. From giving blood, to walking for breast cancer or weekly visits to a food pantry or nursing home all  those experiences count and need to be documented in a personal statement. 
3. Awards:    Keep track of any award and certificates that have been earned. It's all part of developing a strong admissions resume, and while we all can't be valedictorians, pretty much anyone can get a CPR certificate or other awards or letters of recognition with minimal effort. 
4. Extra-curricular Activities:     Participate, participate, participate! I recommend joining at least one sport, club or activity per semester, but if possible join one of each. Nothing looks more impressive than a student who plays a sport, joins the band and is part of the literary club. While it may seem to be overly demanding and you might worry about the impact on grades, studies, and many years of experience, show that students who are actively involved in extra-curricular activities actually have higher gpa's than the general student body.
5. Hobbies:     Yes, Virginia, it's all about selling yourself, and the best way to do that is to show depth of personality. Like a used car salesperson, students need to emphasize their strengths and highlight all of their unique features, while minimizing any  weaknesses. Do you sing, paint or crotchet? If it makes you stand out from the rest of the crowd, all the better. 
6. Skills, abilities and interests:     Human nature being what it is, most people undersell and don't give themselves credit  for the things they do. Can you type 50 w.p.m., or do you know how to create a website, or a blog? Do you belong to amnesty international? Can you speak a little Spanish or are you really organized? Personal attributes, computer skills and even the most basic language skills are all important, so don't under-value them.
7. Develop Relationships:     Develop relationships with people who can positively comment on each of the previous 6 areas. Teachers, counselors, employers, community and religious leaders can really help you by writing a strong letter of recommendation or even putting a call in to the right person. Then, during the application process, make a connection with a college admissions representative and seek out there advice without pestering them.

University of Maryland

 

Build a strong portfolio with each of the 7 aforementioned criteria and you are sure to attract, not only top colleges, but you may even snag a scholarship or two along the way. Most importantly, students need to start the process of building their portfolio early, even as early as the grammar school years, and certainly, they  shouldn't wait for the start of their Senior year.

See the searchable listing of schools.
Find out how and why colleges go Test Optional

College Admissions, Peterson's Guide to (Peterson's Guide to College Admissions)

Appropriate Use of Technology in Education: Poor Stephen

Appropriate Use of Technology in Education: Poor Stephen

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So, Your Kid is Going Away to College...What They Need to Know to Survive, and Thrive.

I was talking to a colleague the other day and our discussion turned to the type of student programming we need to provide in the coming months, when, as it invariably does at this time of the year, it turned toward our Senior Class and life after high school.  Immediately thereafter, I decided that I'd post about what kids should expect during their first year away at College.

Motivated, and eager to write, I began my research without haste, when unexpectedly, I came across an article that was not only well-written, cogent and right on the mark, but told from the perspective of an immensely talented young lady, who is nearing the completion of her first year of college.

Rather than try to recapture a vague and sadly outdated knowlege of college life from my own hazy, and ever fading recollections, I'm going to share a terrific article written by Jackie Morris, a Pre-Pharmacy Major at Purdue University, who has nailed it with "College Freshman Dos and Don'ts" on a cool little website called ManageMyLife.com.

* Taken directly from http://www.managemylife.com/ and with permission from her "pseudo-agent" and biggest fan; her exceedingly, and rightfully proud Dad, Mr. Mike Morris.

College Freshman Dos and Don'ts

by Jackie Morris

Going off to college for the first time is an experience filled with excitement and mystery. One thing is certain, though: college is meant to be a challenge. It's a crash course into adulthood, a transition into independence. So before you take that first step onto campus, use this guide to not only survive, but thrive during your freshman year of college.

Dos

Attend freshman orientation. Every school has its way of welcoming new students to campus and helping them transition into college life. Whether it's a week-long stay before classes start or a day filled with campus tours and student panels, this is a must-attend opportunity to settle in early, become comfortable with your new surroundings, and meet new friends.
Meet new people. Don't get stuck in a rut by only hanging out with friends from your high school. When you're not studying, leave your door open and get to know the people on your floor. And don't be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you in class. It will come in handy when you need someone to study with for midterms. Also, explore all the new cultures brought together on a college campus.
Get involved. College is about trying new things. Most colleges offer so many different clubs and activities that it's hard not to find something that interests you. More importantly, try something new. College is also about discovering who you really are by exploring new things.
Go to class. There are many ways to get around going to class. The problem is, this puts you on the fast track to falling behind. Unlike high school, college course material is covered quickly since most classes only meet two or three times a week. Being at every class to hear the material is crucial. Take your education seriously and make it your goal to attend class regularly.
Use your resources. Go to see your professor during office hours. Even if you don't need help, it's a good way to get to know them. They'll be more likely to help you with future letters of recommendation or find you a spot doing research if they know you.
Go to a sporting event. Even if you were never interested in sports, you'll find that attending the occasional sporting event is a fun part of the college experience. It's also a great way to feel connected to other students at a big university.
Stay healthy. The "Freshman 15" is no myth. Watch what and how much you eat in the dining courts and limit how often you eat out with friends. Take care of yourself, because with so many people living in close proximity of each other sickness spreads rapidly. Most importantly, find time to sleep. This is the biggest problem for most college students, so mastering it early is vital to your success.

Don'ts

Buy all your books at the bookstore. Although it may be tempting to get all your textbooks from one source, that's not always the wisest choice. Try to find used books from other sources first. It's the easiest way to cut back on college costs. If you do have to buy a textbook from the bookstore, take care of it. Most bookstores have a buy-back policy if the book is in good condition.
Commit to a career track. Some people go into college thinking they should know exactly what they want to study. Don't be afraid to change your mind. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a career you don't enjoy because you were afraid to change your major. If you're unsure if you're in the right major, take some classes outside your major to explore other options.
Get caught up in the party scene. It's okay to take a break from your studies and have fun with your friends. Don't let peer pressure to go out every night keep you from getting your work done, however. Partying in moderation is also important to your health. Be safe and don't let promiscuous decisions have a negative impact on your health and future.
Overextend yourself. It's easy to take on too much when there are so many things you can do. If you stay organized and focused, it's possible to balance school, clubs – even a job. Get to know your limits and cut back if you become too stressed out.
On the other hand, don't hold back. College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you'll never forget if you allow yourself to embrace it. It's all about finding balance. Only until you find your individual balance can you thrive in college.
Freelance writer Jackie Morris is a freshman studying pre-pharmacy at Purdue University.

© Copyright 2011, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go directly to Jackie'sarticle on ManageMyLife.com

Please share any comments or ideas for other writers and sites to feature in future postings.

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For Teachers' Eyes Only: A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

Imagine the power of nature...

Unleash it in your classroom by taking your classes on a hike. Envision the connections you’d make, whether you teach Flora and Fauna, PE, Environmental Science, Art or even English. Students can tap into several modes of intelligence: visual, kinesthetic, interpersonal, spatial and naturalistic among others when they are allowed to experience learning outside the classroom. In particular, many children, who are labeled special needs students in our focus on linguistic and logical-mathematic learning, can show off their gifts in the other intelligences. While meeting the needs of many students who are not as successful in the traditional classroom setting, hiking as an educational endeavor can also unlock career related skills and job possibilities. Problem solving, attention to detail, the ability to improvise and self-reliance are just a few of the myriad jobs skills that are directly brought out through hiking.

Imagine the possibilities within your own discipline….

The artist within is drawn out of even the most artistically inhibited when inspired by the awesomeness of nature. The writer within all of us, like Thoreau before, beckons to our own Walden Ponds. Had Frost not taken a stroll in nature, would he have found his road less travelled? What about a young Margaret Mead...contemplate for a moment the path her life may have taken, had she not been introduced to nature at an early age. What careers, or future leaders will you inspire by allowing your classes to take a walk in the woods?

We have an abundance of hiking opportunities within several minutes of our school here in the suburbs of Chicago. If you’d like to find out more, Susan Post has published a wonderful book entitled Hiking Illinois, which is full of great day hikes, detailed maps and rich accounts of the flora, fauna and history of Illinois, or find a similar book for your region by Googling Day Hikes.  While not a hiking companion guide, Bill Bryson’s "A Walk in the Woods" is another great book sure to inspire your students with his accounts of the ubiquitous and mysterious Appalachian Trail.

For those of you with an even more adventurous side,  you might consider setting up a lesson built around Geocaching, You can even activate some prior knowledge by having your classes watch an episode or two of the really  amazing and hip Livewell Network's (also found on your local ABC affliate) Motion, which brings the inspiring beuaty of the outdoors into our family rooms every week via the equally hip host, Greg Aiello. Check out these links to find out more about Motion and Geocaching:

Motion     Geocaching.com  

Watch a clip from Motion:

 

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