IP Blog

Every once in a while a project design and a great mix of students take a concept and put their indelible signature on it.  In the 12 or 13 years that Brinson and I have been working on IP, we’ve seen those years when teams forever changed the way all of us work.  Looking back from then to now, I’d say three different years, separated by a chunk of time in between, had students that took IP to the “next level.” On Facebook tonight, before I set out to write this blog, I was talking with the design engineer, Michael Wohlberg, whose team’s vision forever changed the process.  And then there was this year. 

In many respects, it was a amazing year with high energy but without high drama, and that’s a good thing.  We went with a modified “What If” concept, and the students really delivered.  What really impressed me about this year was the collaborative effort, the coordination among teams, the creativity, and the kindness of this year’s IPers.  Which is not to take anything away from other years, other groups.  There was just, for me, something special, almost undefinable working to make this year memorable.  So, there you have it.  My answer to the question I keep being asked, in and out of school: how were they?  Simply great!

You have 3 prompts from which to choose.  Within each prompt, you may control and customize your responses.  For these three prompts, you should respond directly on your IP blog.  Guidelines will precede each prompt.  I suggest that you preview each prompt before the mid-term exam and decide which ONE selection you will answer.  Using your new NoteCentric account, you may prepare notes you would like to use on your mid-term blog response. 
Suggestions:
1.  Approximate length: 4 paragraphs.
2.  You may hyperlink if you know how, but hyperlinking is NOT required.
3.  You may upload an image, again if you know how, but image uploading in NOT required.
4.  You are NOT required to NOR am I suggesting that you follow any essay formats. 
5.  For first-time bloggers, you might want to work in Word and then copy/paste into the blog. 
6.  SAVE to your H drive as backup. 
7.  Remember that this approach to the mid-term is a learning curve.  Don’t panic.  We can fix anything, as long as you save to your H drive.
8.  Give your blog a title.
9.  Your first name is sufficient to identify you as the writer.  The blogs will be public, so proofread your work.

Prompt 1: The Future of Learning Manifesto

Randy Ziegenfuss posted The Future of Learning Manifesto put together by Christian Long.  Long invited bloggers to mash up his post, and Scot McLeod responded.  This prompt invites you to mash up either Long’s original or McLeod’s mash up.  You may opt to respond to all ten points or several points, or even just one. 

Prompt 2: School 2.0--Join the Conversation

“There is no one path to the school of tomorrow.  Technology is rapidly breaking down school walls and letting the world in; harnessing it is the key to building tomorrow’s schools and students.  Integrating it into the learning ecosystem is everyone’s responsibility and will ensure multiple paths to success.”

Students are our largest (and most important, I believe) stakeholders in creating schools of the future now.  So, join the conversation.  Design our School 2.0.

Prompt 3: Jared Diamond on ”The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race”

Diamond considers the development, adoption, and spread of food production the worst mistake in the history of the human race.  Consider the arguments that he advances.  Think about the benefits and drawbacks of a society’s developing agriculture.  Who benefits or not in the long run and why?  Most importantly, do you agree or disagree with Diamond?  Why?