IP Blog

I can’t help but laugh out loud while reading “The Future of Learning” Manifesto.  Imagining my name on top of the article seems almost possible; as if these words I am reading are the thoughts from my own mind.  I can relate to this article.  It says what I have always thought about the future of learning.  This Manifesto, ten basic, right to the point, witty opinions written by Christian Long, says more than anything I have ever read; while amazing me more ways than one, and then reading McLeod’s longer version of the Manifesto, puts the icing on the cake.  By all means, this is not ‘award winning’ writing however it separates itself from all the others; it is uncensored.  I like uncensored writing.  It allows the writer to play outside the box, to show their reader how they really feel, and “The Future of Learning” Manifesto, is a prime example of that.
“Playing Small Does Not Serve the World”--- Your Brain is Your Brand says what everyone has told you since day one; play big or go home.  Nobody ever has told you, “Kid, minimal effort will get you somewhere.” Or “Boy, the last thing you want is to stand out and make a difference.” All I ever have heard in life is to make a difference, go above and beyond, make what you want to say count, and stand out over the rest.  You have to allow yourself to utilize what you do best; use your heart and brain to make the world work.  Your heart, as the Manifesto says, “…Will do so when nobody is watching.” Your heart will lead you to what is best, even though it may not seem right (at the time).  Your brain, however, has to put what your heart is telling you to action; “...the other is your brain; it needs attention.” Your brain will allow you stand out, to make a difference that may only provide you with endowment, or it may affect the people around you.  Whatever you choose to do, make sure that it is something that the world will not forget, something that can not be any bigger than what you have made it out to truly be. 
Did you know that is only takes 0.5 seconds to search Google’s database?  Or that 200 million searches are done on Google worldwide daily?  Google has all the ‘I need it now’, dying to know, right this minute answers that people are looking for.  By the time I walk into the library, wait for the librarian to show me where to go, and take the time to check out a book, I could already be sitting at a table highlighting what my good ol’ friend Google has pulled up for me.  Number five of the “The Future of Learning” Manifesto, My Memory Is Only As Big As My Heart. Otherwise, I’ll Stick with Google discusses how kids resort to using Google, or the internet, than to memorize the facts that so many teachers require.  Okay, so the internet isn’t the most trustworthy, reliable source out there, and yes, something on a shelf is probably the smartest route to go, but who really wants to memorize facts for a project that can be finished in an hour and will be forgotten faster than it took to wait for it to be graded?  The points the manifesto brings up on Google are true, however the most important objection it makes, is that if a teacher wants me to memorize, than tell me a story too.  I have no problem doing what is required.  I don’t think any hard working student minds; if the work will lead me to getting a good grade, then I will do what it takes to get it.  However, the Manifesto shows that standing up in front of a chalk board, lecturing about something that I will never relate to, is not the best route to getting me to memorize the facts and getting them straight (come to test time).  All I want is for a teacher to reach out to me, dig in real deep, and show me that the true meaning of what they are teaching is really in me.  If I can feel it, show emotion about it, and look right back into the eyes of my instructor, I can give them everything I’ve got, they have done it.  They have gotten me to give them the attention they need to get me to remember anything they tell me.  All I need is that opening up to show me that they once cared about memorizing the material, as much as they need me to memorize it now. 
“…I’ll remember anything you tell me.  Swear it.”
Nobody Cares if You Walked Up Hill Both Ways Barefoot in the Snow and Could Diagram a Sentence had me hooked.  The title made me laugh, it made me cry, and made me laugh again.  I can’t TELL YOU how many times my grandfather told me that he walked to school in the snow BACK and FORTH EVERDAY from school in the FREEZING COLD by HIMSELF.  Oh, he was a dramatic man, and he was also a smart man.  And as number three of the manifesto states, “...I get it.”
I understand that you did not have a cell phone, or did not know that one day there would be an internet.  I realize that you knew everything your teacher taught you, and that you paid attention everyday.  I believed you the first time when you told me that you could speak fluently in Latin and you could recite your multiplication tables up to twelve.  However, you can not turn me into a ‘you’.  If you are dead set on getting me to master ‘your past’, I’m going to need a nap and something to tame my ADD that I secretly get sometimes.  Or, you can try to help me prepare for my future, to try and get me to make sense of today’s world.  I can’t do it on my own; you and I both know that.  You can teach me about your past, I will listen, but I will not sit and learn how you want me to be.  Teach me how to make sense of the past in the future, how to utilize what has happened once, could certainly happen again.  Nothing is more frustrating than to hear those complain, who can not help to improve the future.  Help me make my future bright by forgetting about the walking in the snow how many miles, by helping me walk through life successfully.