Before embarking on any decision, we should ask ourselves, Will this make a valuable difference?
Choosing strategies, tools, and paths that make a valuable, meaningful difference is the way to go? Yet, how can we tell ahead of time if a choice we make will make a difference?
We can't be 100% sure, but we can heed the signs of success and promise with some of the following actions.
- Following Twitter, Google+ and other streams of important topics, vital chats, and successful educators as one way to determine promising choice and action. For example many will be discussing Dave Burgess's book, Teach Like a Pirate. The book has educators talking and making positive changes in their craft. I want to know what everyone is talking about, and utilize Burgess's strategies. Last year I followed the Twitter stream to Hattie's Making Learning Visible, Maximizing Impact for Teachers, and I've never looked back.
- Choose timeless, 24-7, easy to access/use tools for students' inquiry, content creation, and expression. Use tools that students will be able to learn, use for a long time, and easily share with others. Google is not going away anytime soon--the tools are wonderful. Google is playing their part too by updating tools for student use in a timely, intuitive, teacher-friendly way. It's okay to try out new, exciting tools, and jump on if you think they're going to last, but don't spend time on klunky, cumbersome tools with too many rules--they won't last. Also try out the tools with children--children and teachers together should decide on new tools.
- Teach essential skills that suport life-long learning. There are some skills that students need to be successful. Make sure that your program continually emphasizes those skills including critical thinking, speaking, writing, multimedia composition, creation, experimentation (formal and informal), programming, numeracy, reading, emotional intelligence, and social skills. Students who have those skills will have a better chance at success.
- Timely education. Use timely topics to engage and empower students. Choose problems, knowledge, and information that pertain to their lives in developmentally appropriate and enriching ways, then give students the chance to engage with those topics with strength and impact. Ask, What knowledge, problems, and information will make a positive difference for the students, community, and world?
- Tradition. Provide students with a sense of time and people by sharing and exploring classic thought, tools, stories, and strategies as well as a solid, straightforward knowledge of the history of all discipline areas. Teach the big ideas, and save the specific details for those students who are passionate about the content.
- Questions. Let student and teacher questions drive the learning process. Questions rather than content should take center stage.
As we move schools forward let the question, Will this make a valuable difference?, lead your efforts. Don't waste time discussing or fretting over issues that don't make a difference.
What have I missed on my "make a difference" list? What "make a difference" issues will lead your work and thought in the weeks and months to come?
What issues are you spending time on now that really don't matter and won't make a difference? How will you shift your focus?
