If you’re looking for a pretty compelling read for the summer, Todd Rose’s newest book Dark Horse should probably be on your list, especially if you’re at all interested in education and the shifts that are currently underway in our thinking about schools. In short, it’s about the need (if not requirement) these days to
Fulfillment Beats “Success” Read More »
For over 30 years, Gary Stager has been at the forefront of those arguing for a more constructionist approach to learning. In this podcast, he discusses the power and importance of letting students experience learning by doing in every interaction with school. Gary has been greatly influenced by the work of Jean Piaget, Seymour Papert,
#63 – Gary Stager: “The Project Can Replace the Instruction” Read More »
How do we make the world better than we found it? This is a question that has been raised in a number of our community conversations. Gary Stager mentioned it just last night in a chat with Will and Bruce. It’s posted on classroom and school walls to inspire and promote a reason for
How do we make the world better than we found it? Read More »
A lot of schools tout a “global curriculum,” but not many can say that they have a truly global campus. But that’s what “Avenues: The World School” is building. With physical campuses in New York City and Sao Paulo, a Shenzen, China opening this fall, schools developing in Miami, Silicon Valley, London, and Mumbai, and
#62 – A Truly Global School Read More »
Is it possible to create a different school experience? Given the chance to do things really differently in your school, what would you do? That’s the opportunity that Peter Wieczorek has as the director of Northwest Passage High School in Coon Rapids, MN, a public charter school that is pushing the envelope when it comes
#61 – Creating a Different School Experience Read More »
When it comes to “student achievement,” I hardly know where to start. Literally. Should I begin with trying to define it? Or should I start with the fact that hardly anyone defines it? Or that whatever definitions do exist suggest a total lack of consensus and coherence? Maybe I could start with John Hattie and
Rethinking “Student Achievement” Read More »
Belonging is the innate human desire to be part of something larger than us. Because this yearning is so primal, we often try to acquire it by fitting in and by seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, but often barriers to it. Because true belonging only happens when we present our
Belonging in Learning Communities and Beyond Read More »
Gamechangers are few and far between. The only place they frequent is of course on our sporting fields, but metaphorically they also well describe those creative, courageous people who see a better way to do something and then they set about making it happen. Schools fit the metaphor perfectly with their protocols, rituals, rules, and
The Risks and Rewards of Changing the Game Read More »
What if diversity is NOT the goal? That’s the question that our two guests dive into in this our 60th episode. Bruce and I chat with with Homa Tavangar and Eric Dozier who are collaborators at the Oneness Lab where they “seek to discover, learn and live models of cohesion and unity, toward building a
#60 – Diversity is Not the Goal Read More »
Two things are becoming clearer by the day when it comes to our children and our schools. First, our kids are under duress. The latest survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that 70% of 13-17 year olds see anxiety and depression as a major problem among people their age in the community they live.
The Kids (and Schools) are Not Alright Read More »
Despite the concern educators frequently express about the challenges of time in the scheduled life of school, most do still find time for conversations with colleagues. It might be over a morning or lunch break, or at either end of the school day, nonetheless they all value being able to connect with colleagues and share
Feedback, Affirmation, and the Delusion of Good Work Read More »
In this episode, Bruce and I chat with with Stephanie Rogen, author of a great new book titled “Creating Schools That Thrive: A Blueprint for Strategy.” Like the title implies, it’s a roadmap for schools who are on a journey to create mission and vision driven change that’s relevant for modern times. Stephanie’s work with
#59 – Stephanie Rogen on Creating Schools That Thrive Read More »
Head over to Google or Amazon and do a search for “difficult conversations” and you’ll quickly get the sense that people need a lot of help having them. Especially today when we are so fractured politically in the US and elsewhere. These days, it feels harder and harder to have an even somewhat congenial conversation
The Conditions for Difficult Conversations Read More »
Education is changing, and schools are still struggling to adapt. That’s the key takeaway from this interview with Rich Halverson, co-author of Rethinking Education in an Age of Technology which just came out in its second edition. First published in 2009, Halverson’s book is one on the most underlined and dog-eared of all of the
#58 – Author Rich Halverson on Rethinking Education Read More »
As the year kicks off in earnest, maybe you are one of the many who have made great resolutions about your physical health, but have you given any thought to the health of your learning? Seriously, how focused are you on your learning? Have you done your professional learning checkup? It’s one thing to be
It’s Time for Your Professional Learning Checkup Read More »
