Out with the old way of thinking and in with the new...

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.
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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.
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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?