My professor showed this video during our first class, entitled "Digital Age Learning and School Technology Leadership". To me, it was a stark representation of how resistant our current education system is to change. I could go on and on about the current problems we face, but I'd instead like to focus on how we can break the imaginary lid. How can we change the current system? In a sense, I think it starts in the classroom. Teachers implementing innovative practices that promote 21st century skills can lead the charge for change. When school leaders, administrators, parents, and community members see the impact that new methods have on student achievement and engagement, they begin to understand the value of change. However, it's also important that school leaders promote innovation in the classroom. Teachers often don't feel comfortable making changes in the classroom because they lack support from administration. School leaders can promote 21st century skills by modeling these skills themselves and including them in faculty conversations and observations. Of course, if we truly want changes to occur, it also takes parental support. Parents should push for policy change at the school, district, community, and state level as they see fit. They need to support teachers that attempt innovative practices, and ensure involvement in their children's education. Altering the current system, breaking the imaginary lid, is a process that requires involvement by all. While it might be a long and difficult process, I'm willing to face the challenge, and I hope you are too.
Question of the day: What strategies do you feel can help break the imaginary lid?
That is such a great video! You are absolutely right - we must break the imaginary lid that we are currently stuck under. One strategy to break the imaginary lid is providing students with more choices in their learning. We should teach students the main concept, then provide them with multiple ways to show their understanding of the concepts. This can be through technology, individual or group projects, performances, reader's theater scripts, and much more. There is no reason that we must constantly insist that students answer multiple choice questions or open response questions on a test to show their understanding.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! But next time you gotta promote your blog with it! Here, I'll do it for you....
DeleteHey readers, Bari has a great blog about student choice! If you want to learn more about her ideas, check out http://choicesinschools.blogspot.com
I am glad the video resonated with you.
ReplyDeleteThis video was crazy! I too enjoyed the reasoning Jayson showed this to us.
ReplyDeleteOne way to break the imaginary lid I think is to keep the classroom going even when we are not in the classroom. The classroom is a 4 wall structure but we are not limited to those 4 walls. Interacting with the students outside the classroom in their own elements is a great way to break the imaginary lid. The students will act so differently and you might be surprised what you and they will learn outside the classroom. Some of the best conversations I have had with students is outside the classroom with the content being school related. The students really open up and the conversation is much more interactive than a typical classroom setting.
Great ideas! I've been invited to birthday parties, sports competitions, and even to go swimming by some of my students! While I haven't really ever felt comfortable engaging with the kids outside of the classroom, you made me think about some of the ways I could possibly do this in a professional way. I did once attend a parents funeral, and years later, the bond that was created between this student and I is still a very strong one.
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