The Networked Teacher

This image by Alec Couros at (http://educationinnovation.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/leveraging-the-networked-teacher-the-professional-networked-learning-collaborative.html) really gets to what teachers are (and can be) today.

Can a teacher that is not networked be effective?  Can they still impact students and student achievement?

Be a part of the conversation as a part of Alec's Voicethread around this concept.  Very cool!
http://voicethread.com/#q.b67978.i350123

Technology and Education

Here is an interesting video from the 140 character conference.  I think Chris Lehmann has some powerful ideas, some are contoversial, but all ask us some very intersting questions and challenges us to rethink education.


Find out more form chris at http://www.practicaltheory.org/serendipity/

Social Media

A couple great videos to get you thinking.

Why do we connect?  I know I do this simply to try to help other people grow and develop.  This also challenges me to think of new ways to interact with the world around me.  I want to be a better teacher and leader.  How can I do that without reflecting and conversing about what's best for kids, what's best for education.  I just can't make an impact on the world, thinking and interacting only locally.  We have to as a society be willing to put ourselves out there and take a risk.  RIght now I have two followers, two people that check this blog.  Who knows where this blog may lead, who it may inspire, who it may help.  That's why I connect!

Why Do We Connect? from Shelly Terrell on Vimeo.

Thank you SHELLY!



Need a connection to use Twitter, find out how here!

Connecting in a Globalized World through Social Media

View more presentations from Shelly Terrell.

BEST BLOG POST EVER!

Okay, I wish it was mine....but it isn't.  It's a member of my PLN.  Don't know what a PLN is?  Find out that and so much more.  This is a MUST read/MUST watch for every educator.

http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/2010/05/09/16-resources-about-personal-learning-networks-plns/

Outstanding.

Creative Commons: What every educator needs to know

I liked this podcast... interesting information.....WE SHOULD ALL KNOW...

Creative Commons: What every Educator needs to know

View more webinars from Rodd Lucier.

Also check out: Lawrence Lessig on TED: http://www.ted.com/speakers/larry_lessig.html

Here's a question for discussion: Does copywriting kill creativity?

How great leaders inspire action: Simon Sinek on TED.com

I just watched this video on leadership and was profoundly moved.  Outstanding information.  See some notes about the talk below and watch the video.

The golden ring of leadership demonstrated that everything we do as a leader stems from "WHY?".

People don't buy what you do, they buy WHY YOU DO IT!

Human brain is broken to three "parts."  The first is the neocortex, the rational part of the brain that focus on the "WHAT?" in a message/concept or product.

The limbic brains focuses on the middle two sections of the ring, the HOW? and the WHY?  This part of the brain is focused on feelings, trust, loyalty and directs all decision making.  Interestingly enough it is not connected to language.  So here is where those GUT decisions come from.  Why people say they have a bad feeling about something but can't put into words what that is.

Facts will not translate to feeling right.

If you don't know what you do and why you do it, who's going to buy it?

We don't hire people to do a job, we hire people because of what they believe.  Here's a secret:  If you hire people to work for you, they will work for the money, if you people that believe what you believe in, they'll work for your drive.

Why were the Wright brothers successful at flight?  Their passion was based on beliefs, hopes and dreams.  People worked for them because people believed in them.  Are you hiring people that will work for your money or for your beliefs?

What motivates you?  Money or shared beliefs?

If you talk about what you believe, you will attract those who beleive what you beleive.

Law of diffusion of innovation - first 2.5 % are innovators, 13.5 early adopters, 34% are early majority, late majority and laggards wrap up the rest of the chart.

In order for an idea to TIP and become popular (see Malcolm Gladwell's -  Tipping Point) 

Between 15 - 18 percent market penetration must be converted before an idea/concept or gadget can TIP and become popular.  Early Majority won't try something until others have already.  Geoffery Moore calls it Crossing the Chasm when translating an idea into a successful one.  TIVO was a failure only because of it's WHY even though we use the phrase non-stop in today's culture.

Why did people show up to hear Martin Luther King Jr.?  They showed up for themselves not for him.  They showed up for what he believed and why he believed it.....

We follow those who lead because they inspire us.  Not because we have to, but because we want to.  We don't do it for them, but for us.  Are you the type of person that gets to the WHY? or are you too focused on the what and the how?

Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous phrase was "I have a dream"......not, I have a plan....

People will follow a dream, there is no inspiration in a plan.



TED Blog: How great leaders inspire action: Simon Sinek on TED.com

Why NOT to be afraid of technology!!

Nick is hysterical and does a great job of helping teachers learn about how NOT to be afraid and does it in a culturally relevant way.

Watch the video and follow nick at: http://thenerdyteacher.blogspot.com/

Social Media for School Leaders

This video came across my google reader and shows just how much of an impact social media can have on communication within and around a community.

WOW!  THis is cool!

Cuts, Cuts and more Cuts

As I was sitting last night in my doctoral cohort we were discussing the necessary evil of Riffing teachers and making cuts. I began to wonder if there is a better way to handle these situations. Everywhere I've worked I have seen staffing changes made through "bottom line thinking." Are these thinking models best for kids? No, not any time! Is it a necessary part of our job as educational leaders? Yes, and not a fun one at that! I think the art behind this is understanding how to make a cut in staff or in budget that has the least impact on student learning and achievement.

When we see professional athletes talk about the business side of playing football or any other sport, I often think of the business side of education. We don't spend much time in conferences and professional development finding new ways to keep teachers and creating creative budgeting because these topics aren't sexy and don't sell books. Where I am in my career I certainly don't have all the answers, but I'd love to be a part of the conversation.

The Fun Section: About an UnFun Topic:

Thinking about that I have some book ideas if anyone wants to write about these topics:

School Budgets that work, The Art and Science of Keeping Teachers, Budgeting by Design, Too Wong Foo - the Budget and You, Bottom Line thinking: Is you crazy? (that topic still in development :-)), 50 ways to improve administrative behavior, The ultimate school leader, How to budget for learning.....and so on...

A video from funnyordie.com about California's budget cuts.

Hot for Teachers w/ Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green from Megan Fox

The future of work

Interesting video to think about when educating students. Are we preparing them every day in every way to be successful in the future of what work will look like for them?

I'm not sure.....but I'd like to hear what you think!

What skills are necessary to teach kids at school to help them be more successful in life after school. After all this video states that college is the new high school. Thinking like that will make the middle school, where I teach, the new primary grades!!!!!! How can we help kids think at a higher level?

Two questions that will change your life

Great video and Post based on Daniel Pink's new book called Drive.

I don't need to ask a question here. But I'd love to hear what is your sentence?

Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

Are you happy?

So, I saw this video for the first time over the weekend. I was moved by it but what was more important to me was how many other people should see this.

As educators, if we are thinking about middle scholers and all the trials and tribulations that come along with the life of an 11 - 14 year old. Maybe this video isn't such a bad thing to show and discuss. What do you think?

Food Revolution

Jamie Oliver's food revolution debuted this past week.

Some of the items he showed were just appalling and to think we serve these food items every day in schools across the country. What can we do about it? Well, not much if you are just going to read my blog! What you should do is at least join the movement and sign his petition online: http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/petition. We want (dare I say need) to see this show succeed.

Why? Because at least we can make a difference in our school where students spend 180 days of the year eating 1 to 2 meals.

Let's face it, we have a problem in our schools across the country there is something wrong with chicken rings, pork patties and pizza every day of the school year. We are taking dramatic steps forward in our schools to provide healthy options. I think we have two options here:

1. Educate our youth on making healthy choices.

2. No longer provide unhealthy options.

OOOOOHHHHH that's scary and unpopular to say but this show fired me up. I hate being the one to identify the problem without providing the solution but I'm not ready to understand how to make this change. I think this is one solution. Can you think of another way to help? Comment away I'm ready to learn how to help!

Check it out online at: http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution

Watch the full episode online here:http://www.hulu.com/watch/138201/jamie-olivers-food-revolution-episode-102

Jamie's Award winning presentation to TED:

How do you spend your time???

This was a fascinating graphing. I wish they would have extended it to kids ages 11 - 15. That would have groundbreaking to communicate to middle school educators. Check this image out, comment away...

http://www.loansandcredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/timeuse_1500.jpg