The+Disruptors

vv I do agree that the changes are outstripping the school's ability to keep up -- even with new policies, adapting to new technology needs, adapting to way things are changing (like e-books/libraries, for example), or students with the internet in their pocket, etc., etc. If some teachers are adapting, administrators aren't, or vice versa. I do think that pushes at schools to respond more quickly or to change, but what will ensue from that it is hard to say. I see frustration levels rising among teachers who have to wait a year or two to get a website approved. Students seem to expect "business as usual" from schools for the most part. Once they have tasted something different, like Christian's students, or SLA students, they love it, but it's not really an "expectation" that they have.

I still keep going back to the question from last night--how do we help administrators, students, teachers "expose their own brilliance?"

Great question raised--how do we become more agile? Particularly how do we create systems that are more 'agile"--I think of systems becoming more "internet-like"--interlaced, flexible, always updated, ever changing, instead of these fixed things. But how would that ever happen? [|Carolyn Foote] technolibrary(twitter)

1. Why are physical spaces necessary? 2. Why is it necessary to group kids by age? 3. How will we address the needs of special learners? (those with IEPs) ||
 * || [|Durfftoo]

[|anciana] How will all the informal learning that occurs outside the classroom walls be validated? For example, will employers look at individual candidates e-portfolios? ||
 * || **re: Questions**

[|erniec] the grouping of kids by age and "ability" is a huge barrier to be knocked down... ||
 * || **re: Questions**

[|mpsprincipal] Well quite honestly I believe we need to use what is already at our fingertips and see how we can step out of our own thinking and use the students to move ahead. They continue to be way ahead of many. What could happen if we put away outdated text books, paper and pencils and resources such as these and only used technology for a month and see what we could do. I think that once a radical change such as this were to happen it would tease people into thinking outside the box and expand and catch on to the whole world of knowledge, deeper dialogue and higher levels of thinking, problem solving, communicating, etc. Who would be up for that kind of a challenge? Is it time to step out of the box- yes I think so. ||
 * || **re: How can we expedite the needed change?**

It is frustrating to see the "glacier like" movement of change in education. I think we need to tackle this problem differently, but I can't say I know exactly how. I know that I do not want someone to design "a model" of what schools should look like for all to implement because I think by the time it is designed it will be irrelevant as well. Also, a one size fits all approach is never a solution.
 * || [|bhsprincipal]

I am wondering if a greater parent voice would help move the agenda. I think that we need to re-educate parents who are products of an outdated educational model as to what their children need to move forward. I would like to think that parents want what is best for their children and if we engage them in the conversation we may start to change some things. I think we can also do a great deal more to involve students at the high school.

Of course, I am assuming that teachers actually have a meaningful voice in this which is often times not the case.

What is the tipping point? ||
 * Patti Ruffing: how to reconcile what the kids want to know vs the standards and required curriculum**

Todd Williamson: ayucht...as US moves toward National Standards will there be even LESS choice in what students want to learn?

Carol: Teahcers clinging to their domains happens a lot. And blocks change

Todd Williamson: more focus on what teachers are TOLD to teach?

Carol: Todd - agreed. Pressure to change, just not always effective

meacherteacher: Part of the change should be a cross-curricular approach

monika: i think we need to ed the public to free up the possibilities then facilitate a student-centric system

Patti Ruffing: all this takes planning TIME

Patti: Until you get rid of standardized state tests, it will be very difficult to change the way teachers teach.

Twitter ID's

Sue Hellman: sueh@wilkes JenWagner: @jenwagner Patti Ruffing: patti211 cfoote: technolibrary Lynne M Bailey: @lynnemb Todd Williamson: twilliamson15 techicebreaker: twitter:techicebreaker real world: Chris Prout Amanda Marrinan: marragem Alice Yucht: ayucht ? aliceinfo? Lisa Dempster: @libteacher Ernie Cox: twitter @erniec @snydersensei, Than Porter: @nporter Carol Potash @me_cp Fred Bartels @fredbartels

@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSIkjNaICsg Escalator video?

For those disruptors who want to continue brainstorming related to virtual schools, please consider adding your voice to an effort to conceptualize a new model for virtual schools that addresses many of the issues that were raised in this discussion. http://eva2.wikispaces.com/ Thanks for considering. Fred