Rives is a man of many talents, he is a spoken word poet, emcee, pop-up book writer, and conversationalist. As one of the hosts of TEDxSMU this past October, he was given the chance to show off some of his skills and gave a powerful storytelling performance using an iPad.
His four minute "talk", seen below, is an example of the potential of the iPad, or any tablet for that matter. Far too often we see computers as a means to check email, write papers, or watch videos. In an age of, as Clay Shirky puts it, "cognitive surplus", we have the opportunity to use that technology and our time towards "doing something" and being "creative", two things that we must ensure our students embrace. The tools at our disposal, including the iPad, are extremely powerful, so let's make sure that our students are using the technology to do more than write five paragraph essays or create PowerPoints. Let's make sure they truly create.
In the end, as Rives points out, no matter the medium, it is about telling a "story". We need to let our students embrace the mediums that work for them (iPads/cellphones/whatever) and allow them to create stories that they care about. By giving them a voice, we will not only empower our students but allow them to develop their creative spirit all while maximizing that "cognitive surplus".
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNhdRvBfg7A&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Learning from Google's Creative Lab
Google's Creative Lab has been around for a few years but the concept has been a transformative one for the company and a model that schools should consider.
Google, which had been known more for their search than their advertising, has made a large impact in the digital media scene over the past few years. Their multi-disciplinary team in the Creative Lab has been responsible for some very critically acclaimed work including, their "Google Chrome Speed Tests", "Wilderness Downtown", and "Parisian Love".
Projects like these have transformed Google's image. The Creative Lab has been an opportunity to infuse creative talent into an Internet company while also training the "creatives" on the power of Google. Those who work in the Creative Lab stay for a year or two before being sent back into their respective industries. By following such a model, Google has been able not only train up and coming designers and writers on the power of Google but reap the benefits of their talent.
The power of the Creative Lab has been in the fact that it has helped transform Google into a force in the digital media world.
It could be a "Teach For America" for creatives. Innovators and designers will spend two years working within a school to help bring innovation and an understanding of design thinking into schools while in turn they are trained as educators. The schools benefit by having access to amazing creatives who can help transform the experience of learning in an academic institution while the creatives benefit by being trained as educators. After a stint in a school, the creatives return to their professional worlds with an understanding of education that many dedicated to helping lack.
Far too often I meet very creative people who want to make a difference in the world of education but do not understand schools. By developing a program like this, a school will give those passionate creatives an opportunity to make a difference the world of education and in turn become a much more informed public. This type of work would provide an opportunity to solve two problems:
The Google Creative Lab has transformed Google into a powerful player in the advertising and media space. Schools can benefit from the same approach. Design and innovation are becoming more important in our schools and this is a great opportunity to create more "teachers" while benefiting from the power of creativity and innovation.
If anyone is interested in such an idea, let me know and lets dream this up together.
The Creative Lab
Google, which had been known more for their search than their advertising, has made a large impact in the digital media scene over the past few years. Their multi-disciplinary team in the Creative Lab has been responsible for some very critically acclaimed work including, their "Google Chrome Speed Tests", "Wilderness Downtown", and "Parisian Love".
Projects like these have transformed Google's image. The Creative Lab has been an opportunity to infuse creative talent into an Internet company while also training the "creatives" on the power of Google. Those who work in the Creative Lab stay for a year or two before being sent back into their respective industries. By following such a model, Google has been able not only train up and coming designers and writers on the power of Google but reap the benefits of their talent.
Bringing the Creative Lab to schools
The power of the Creative Lab has been in the fact that it has helped transform Google into a force in the digital media world.
Why can't the same be done in schools?
It could be a "Teach For America" for creatives. Innovators and designers will spend two years working within a school to help bring innovation and an understanding of design thinking into schools while in turn they are trained as educators. The schools benefit by having access to amazing creatives who can help transform the experience of learning in an academic institution while the creatives benefit by being trained as educators. After a stint in a school, the creatives return to their professional worlds with an understanding of education that many dedicated to helping lack.
Far too often I meet very creative people who want to make a difference in the world of education but do not understand schools. By developing a program like this, a school will give those passionate creatives an opportunity to make a difference the world of education and in turn become a much more informed public. This type of work would provide an opportunity to solve two problems:
- The need for schools to truly embrace a different way of thinking when it comes to learning
- Create more informed social entrepreneurs, innovators, and designers
The Google Creative Lab has transformed Google into a powerful player in the advertising and media space. Schools can benefit from the same approach. Design and innovation are becoming more important in our schools and this is a great opportunity to create more "teachers" while benefiting from the power of creativity and innovation.
If anyone is interested in such an idea, let me know and lets dream this up together.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Education, Play and Design
I found this video by Plikums via @ethanbodnar.
It focuses on the intersection of education, play, and design. In my mind, it is a powerful video about real learning that we should all watch and take to heart.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20949186[/vimeo]
It focuses on the intersection of education, play, and design. In my mind, it is a powerful video about real learning that we should all watch and take to heart.
"Education is not learning the system"
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/20949186[/vimeo]
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Why we need a new conversation
Twitter is full of education hashtags. Those symbols of community bring educators from around the world together. One hashtag in particular is very powerful within the our community. #edchat has become a beacon for many educators. It has connected them, it has enabled them to share ideas, resources, and stories. I believe that hashtags like #edchat are critical to create a sense of community for educators, many whom feel isolated in their schools or districts.
I will not speak poorly of #edchat. As I mentioned, it has played an important role in connecting and enabling many educators. I value what the creators and curators of #edchat are doing to unite and support educators around the globe.
BUT
I believe we must move beyond #edchat.
While it plays an important role, I believe we need to hear new voices. Many educators are stuck in an echo chamber. Rather than learning about another web 2.0 tool or rehashing futile debates, I want us to be inspired. I want us to be challenged. I want to extend us to extend our thinking about what is possible in the world of education.
For the past few years I have been seeking inspiration and connections among my fellow educators but also reaching out to innovators, designers, and visionaries. This has led to some eye opening experiences and connections that are transforming the way I work and in turn helping others understand how to engage with educators.
For educators to move beyond the echo chamber, It is necessary for us to engage in conversations with people outside the world of education We should be reading more Fast Company and GOOD, just to name two, and fewer teacher blogs, including mine. Educators are not the only ones who want to improve the status of education. Very smart and creative people are looking to help. They are looking to make a difference. We should be engaging these innovators and designers to dream up ways to improve where, how, and when learning happens.
To make this happen, not only do we need to create conversations that kill the echo chamber but educators should attend events that have nothing to do with their specific discipline. True innovation comes when there are disruptors. For changes to be made at a national level, we must do a better job at engaging innovators in other industries. Those innovators can help us think differently about how our schools function, we can build partnerships, and in turn we can help educate a non educators about the real challenges we face.
Schools like the REALM Charter School in Berkeley, CA, or Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA are examples of how this can be done. They are being very particular and creating a close relationship with institutions and companies that provide educators and students an opportunity to connect the worlds between education and innovation.
Educators have the chance to change the conversation by reaching out to their communities and build relationships with individuals, companies, and organizations who want to make a difference.
We can learn from the amazing creatives who are rethinking so many different industries. If educators do not engage these people, if they do not join these conversations and build these relationships, a huge opportunity will be lost.
You should still continue to be a part of #edchat and the myriad of other education hashtags but all I ask is that you also join a conversation in a completely different field. Be madly curious. Go engage and by doing so you'll be able to transform your practice and open your students up to a world of new opportunities.
Links:
REALM Charter School
Science Leadership Academy
#edchat
Fast Company
GOOD
I will not speak poorly of #edchat. As I mentioned, it has played an important role in connecting and enabling many educators. I value what the creators and curators of #edchat are doing to unite and support educators around the globe.
BUT
I believe we must move beyond #edchat.
While it plays an important role, I believe we need to hear new voices. Many educators are stuck in an echo chamber. Rather than learning about another web 2.0 tool or rehashing futile debates, I want us to be inspired. I want us to be challenged. I want to extend us to extend our thinking about what is possible in the world of education.
For the past few years I have been seeking inspiration and connections among my fellow educators but also reaching out to innovators, designers, and visionaries. This has led to some eye opening experiences and connections that are transforming the way I work and in turn helping others understand how to engage with educators.
For educators to move beyond the echo chamber, It is necessary for us to engage in conversations with people outside the world of education We should be reading more Fast Company and GOOD, just to name two, and fewer teacher blogs, including mine. Educators are not the only ones who want to improve the status of education. Very smart and creative people are looking to help. They are looking to make a difference. We should be engaging these innovators and designers to dream up ways to improve where, how, and when learning happens.
To make this happen, not only do we need to create conversations that kill the echo chamber but educators should attend events that have nothing to do with their specific discipline. True innovation comes when there are disruptors. For changes to be made at a national level, we must do a better job at engaging innovators in other industries. Those innovators can help us think differently about how our schools function, we can build partnerships, and in turn we can help educate a non educators about the real challenges we face.
Schools like the REALM Charter School in Berkeley, CA, or Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA are examples of how this can be done. They are being very particular and creating a close relationship with institutions and companies that provide educators and students an opportunity to connect the worlds between education and innovation.
Educators have the chance to change the conversation by reaching out to their communities and build relationships with individuals, companies, and organizations who want to make a difference.
We can learn from the amazing creatives who are rethinking so many different industries. If educators do not engage these people, if they do not join these conversations and build these relationships, a huge opportunity will be lost.
You should still continue to be a part of #edchat and the myriad of other education hashtags but all I ask is that you also join a conversation in a completely different field. Be madly curious. Go engage and by doing so you'll be able to transform your practice and open your students up to a world of new opportunities.
Links:
REALM Charter School
Science Leadership Academy
#edchat
Fast Company
GOOD
Monday, March 7, 2011
Serving Up PD
For the the past few years, I have been exploring the idea of professional development. While the mindset of helping educators has always been the same, the methodology has evolved.
There are a number of people out there who are doing the same thing. We are attempting to inspire and connect by using models that include edcamps and TEDx.
My first exploration started a few years ago when I ran across TEDx. In my mind, TEDxNYED and TEDxSFED were meant to be the answer, TED like events that brought inspiration to educators. These are powerful opportunities but these are once a year.
Over the past few months I have been thinking about the idea of community, learning, and innovation.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that TEDx as a one day event, while inspiring, does not bring the type of results I have been seeking. The real goal is to create opportunities for sustained interaction between educators, innovators, and designers.
What got me to this mind set was at first the TEDxNY salon. Then there was Detroit Soup. And finally, today I read Glen Lubbert's post on Jeffersonian dinners.
These events all have something in common: bringing people together to connect, share, and explore what is possible. They are not difficult to produce and they are not time consuming. They are simple methods to connect and create opportunities that can transform education.
As I move forward, my goals are to:
1. Provide a platform for educators to connect on a regular basis
2. Introduce the worlds of education and innovation to each other
That is possible by:
1. Following the TEDxNY and TEDx Tuesdays at SMU models and create a regularly scheduled salon that bringing educators and innovators together to inspire, learn, share, and create opportunites that will transform education.
2. Create regularly scheduled dinners like Detroit Soup or the Jeffersonian Dinners that provide opportunities to inspire, connect, and plan over a meal.
I know these ideas are not new but I do not see many opportunities that connect the worlds of education and innovation. My goal is to bridge the divide of education and innovation by creating opportunities for the two worlds to meet. Far too often educators are not included in these type of events.
Hopefully, by introducing these models, I will be able to help feed the conversation around how we can assist our educators, expand their network, and transform their teaching.
In order to give credit where credit is due, the ideas mentioned stemmed from the following models:
TEDxNY
Detroit Soup
Jeffersonian Dinners
edcamp
While TEDxSFED is on April 9th, I believe these goals are definitely ideas worth spreading and plan to move forward soon after our first iteration of TEDxSFED is over. I hope that you do the same and create your own Jeffersonian Dinners or something similar and help bring educators and innovators together in order to serve up better professional development.
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon
There are a number of people out there who are doing the same thing. We are attempting to inspire and connect by using models that include edcamps and TEDx.
My first exploration started a few years ago when I ran across TEDx. In my mind, TEDxNYED and TEDxSFED were meant to be the answer, TED like events that brought inspiration to educators. These are powerful opportunities but these are once a year.
Over the past few months I have been thinking about the idea of community, learning, and innovation.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that TEDx as a one day event, while inspiring, does not bring the type of results I have been seeking. The real goal is to create opportunities for sustained interaction between educators, innovators, and designers.
What got me to this mind set was at first the TEDxNY salon. Then there was Detroit Soup. And finally, today I read Glen Lubbert's post on Jeffersonian dinners.
These events all have something in common: bringing people together to connect, share, and explore what is possible. They are not difficult to produce and they are not time consuming. They are simple methods to connect and create opportunities that can transform education.
As I move forward, my goals are to:
1. Provide a platform for educators to connect on a regular basis
2. Introduce the worlds of education and innovation to each other
That is possible by:
1. Following the TEDxNY and TEDx Tuesdays at SMU models and create a regularly scheduled salon that bringing educators and innovators together to inspire, learn, share, and create opportunites that will transform education.
2. Create regularly scheduled dinners like Detroit Soup or the Jeffersonian Dinners that provide opportunities to inspire, connect, and plan over a meal.
I know these ideas are not new but I do not see many opportunities that connect the worlds of education and innovation. My goal is to bridge the divide of education and innovation by creating opportunities for the two worlds to meet. Far too often educators are not included in these type of events.
Hopefully, by introducing these models, I will be able to help feed the conversation around how we can assist our educators, expand their network, and transform their teaching.
In order to give credit where credit is due, the ideas mentioned stemmed from the following models:
TEDxNY
Detroit Soup
Jeffersonian Dinners
edcamp
While TEDxSFED is on April 9th, I believe these goals are definitely ideas worth spreading and plan to move forward soon after our first iteration of TEDxSFED is over. I hope that you do the same and create your own Jeffersonian Dinners or something similar and help bring educators and innovators together in order to serve up better professional development.
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon
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