Probably about five years ago now, I remember David Warlick and others trying to frame the conversation around the shifts we’re seeing in learning under the umbrella of “Telling the New Story” of education. And I also remember being frustrated for a number of years after that at our inability to come up with that new definition of schools, that new story of learning at least in a school sense. I’ve come to realize that we’re not going to be able to write “a” new story for schools, that there will be many new stories in the coming years as the institution tries to adjust to the explosion of learning opportunities outside the school walls. Should be fun to watch (or not.)
But through reading the comment thread on the last post here, it looks as if there might be a desire for some type of site or listing of schools that are telling a “new story.” Schools that are doing things differently in terms of taking advantage of what the Web and other technologies afford around learning. Schools that have a more “progressive” approach to learning through inquiry or immersion using social technology or something other than standards based learning. I know there are many pockets of innovation in individual classrooms, and many of those are well documented. But what about entire schools and, perhaps, systems that are modeling a different path? A few come easily to mind: Science Leadership Academy, High Tech High, CIS 339 in New York City, VanMeter High School in Iowa, and Hunterdon Central High School, my old stomping grounds here in NJ. From what I’ve seen and heard, these schools are beginning to significantly rethink what’s happening in their classrooms, not just infusing technology and tools, but really delivering networked learning to their students at a schoolwide level. And I’m sure there are others.
So I guess I’m wondering if it might be time to create a resource of these types of schools. Maybe a wiki where if people were interested they could create a page of overview for what they are doing that’s different? Anyone have any thinking to share around whether or not that might be a useful idea and how it might be structured?
Poughkeepsie Day School is launched on that new school journey – building on a legacy of progressive thinking about learning. Now calling for a new class of educator luddites to lead the way!
http://www.pdscompasspoint.com/more-educator-luddites-please/
Will,
I think that’s an excellent idea 🙂
And I think once it’s created, like this blog post, it will draw other contributions.
Just reading your post reminded me of the Blue School that the Blue Man Group started.
I like this idea. We are a school that is in the beginning stages of trying to do more and I think that we could use ideas. Also just seeing what others are doing and the impact on students could be a great resource for those of us trying to find the next steps.
Will, Should the HighTechHigh link should be hightechhigh.org rather than .com?
I’m adding Wooranna Park to the list:
A starting point?
http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/modelsUS
&
http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/modelsWORLD
Organization-wise how about a wiki with pages like:
– Writing ideas with one-to-one
– Tech tools of the trade
– Art, Music, and P.E. with tech
– Internet access parameters for teachers and students including management of abusers of the equipment or Internet
– Implementation of the NETS K-12
Great idea Will! I’m looking forward more on this!
Will,
First of all, thank you for all your really insightful posts!
I did start down that research on alternate systems route a little while ago and would be keen to help collect information in this area.
If it helps, here is something I wrote:
Alternate Education
Great idea, Will. A wiki page seems like the way to go, although that would require some anti-spam monitoring.
One line I think needs some clarification: you say, “…or something other than standards based learning,” as if embracing progressive education has to be done in opposition to basing education on standards. The culprit is “standardized-test driven instruction,” not standards. Student-centered, project-based, authentic learning can happen based on standards, if those standards are properly drawn.
Cheers, Fred
—
Fred Mindlin
Associate Director for Technology Integration
Central California Writing Project
http://www.thedigitalstoryteller.com/
“Intelligence is knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do.” — John Holt
Point well taken, Fred. Thanks.
Yeah…these are starting points. Thanks for reminding me of these. I know we could get mired in trying to come up with a definition of what schools would need to be like to fit the “really shifted” model, but it might be cool to start a directory of some type that gives us a little more detail. Still thinking…
I would like your readers to take a look at a new and exciting Master’s program which is changing how educators are receiving technology instruction and are able to infuse it directly into their classroom. Check out the the video produced by a grad at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq5qdTtvRfo
Secondly I would like the readers to look at Ocoee Middle school in Florida. A well established school in a rural area making change for the 21st century student http://www.schooltube.com/video/e9bd79d29b4d0e6a2345/Gotta-Keep-Reading-Ocoee-Middle-School
Stay tune we are working hard.
In Global Achievement Gap, Tony Wagner describes The Met in Providence, RI, and Francis Parker Charter Essential in Boston (one of the Coalition of Essential Schools–CES) –you might consider adding them to your ‘truly shifted’ list.
I think a wiki or social network for innovative schools is a great idea! Schools and educators who are working to integrate technology into the classroom and truly change the status quo will benefit from sharing their ideas as will others interested in adopting those ideas.