Linear is out. "Out of the box" is new. But don’t forget that you need a box before you can think outside of it, as Howard Gardner reminds us. The common thread in this week's learning, as I see it, is THOUGHT and THINKING. Divergent thinking. Howard Gardner tells us that there are 5 minds for the future, and that none of them have much to do with knowing about factual information, subject matter, or memorization. Ken Robinson says to ditch the fast food conveyor belts of education that we’re familiar with and opt for the customized Michelin-rated restaurants that individualize education to bring out the unique natural talents of children. To do this, we have to stop thinking that life is linear. John Seely Brown warns us about the “exponential times” in which we are living and teaches that the only way to adapt is to be CURIOUS. “Deep tinkering, playing testing, and trying the system” is the new way to think. Last, but not least, Mobley offers some hope. If we work to “unlearn,” and DO to “become creative” (you can't read about becoming creative, you have to just get in there and do it), we might have a chance! Like Nike says, “Just DO it!” With a little self knowledge, permission to fail, and the right friends, you, too, can become creative.
Even though there is a lot of great information presented here, I find myself a little paralyzed with indecision. Don’t keep doing things the old way… Innovate! Don’t be linear! Be creative! Be curious! Think divergently! To be honest, this all makes me feel a little schizophrenic… I’m a bit afraid that anything I do might still be “in the box.” Then again, I have always admitted to being a “linear” person. Growth mindset! What does this all mean in the context of my school, and my students? I don’t know! I can’t think straight! Okay, I’ll try. In my specific role, I don’t often get much time with students. However, I do get face-time with teachers. Perhaps I can choose some of this learning to share with them? Perhaps we can spend a few minutes each staff meeting trying Daniel Pink’s ROWE time (Results Only Work Environment) playing around with technology to find ways to foster creativity with our students? Maybe each teacher can take a turn sharing something that exhibits divergent thinking either for teachers or students? Other thoughts?
8 Comments
Julie
10/21/2018 12:55:41 pm
YES YES YES I agree with all of your feeling and that is great because you are thinking and feeling and learning. I think this is a process and we haven't really come to a place of sorting it all out but we are sure taking a lot in . I love the idea of having teachers share things they are doing if I was in a position of leading teachers that is the first thing I would do there are a lot of amazing things already happening in our class rooms. Start there let me know what they share and how they respond I am excited.
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Jona Sandau
10/21/2018 03:23:04 pm
Thank you, Julie! Always good to know when you are not alone...lol. I am also excited to hear about what other teachers do and I really hope my principal feels the same way and gives me a thumbs up for some creativity time during our staff meeting! I also think it would jazz up our time together and make it fun! I will let you know what comes up!
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Catalina J Goldstein
10/22/2018 12:40:51 pm
I love the pictures you've included they really help drive your point home. I also like that you included the Gardner quote about needing a box before you can think out of it. We all need a basis for doing something before we can think of other ways to approach it.
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Jona Sandau
10/24/2018 10:45:08 pm
Thank you, Catalina! Gardner was one of my favorites. Some of what he said made me think that the "growth mindset" could apply to some of his "minds."
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Brandon DeJesus
10/23/2018 01:51:11 pm
I completely identify with you saying that all of the desire to be a divergent, out of the box, thinker has a paralyzing effect.When it comes to my classroom I am constantly wondering if I am building enough opportunity into my lesson plans to honor my students creative minds. I find myself trying to add more and more without really being able to commit to all of the things that I want to do above the requirements of my standards. I am constantly trying to balance teaching content without killing the creative minds of my kiddos.
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Jona Sandau
10/24/2018 10:46:50 pm
Yes, Brandon! It's a lot of pressure... Sometimes there are even scripted curriculum that make it even harder to work any creativity into our lessons. I call that a challenge...
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Rafael Garcia Avila
10/23/2018 03:01:41 pm
Jona,
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Jona Sandau
10/24/2018 10:49:55 pm
Thank you, Rafa! The awesome thing is what we bring of ourselves to our students. They are lucky to have you as a teacher and a role model! There are times when I think that all it takes to make a difference is one person that the kids can look up to--a person who cares. You are awesome!
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Jona SandauI'm a student in the Innovative Learning Master's Program at Touro University. I'm really excited to make a difference for my students! Archives
March 2019
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