The Future of Learning Manifesto- Prompt 1
1. “Playing Small Does Not Save the World.” Your brain is Your Brand.
We are powerful. So powerful that we do not even realize how much. I do not think the power we have is something to fear. I think it is something we want more of because we are greedy. I also do not believe we are being measured by small dreams. We make our own dreams for ourselves; they are not made for us. Also, we are not measured by dreams we make, but by what we accomplish. The dreams mean nothing, unless you can reach it.
Play big or stay home. I rather stay home. But that does not mean I can not play big. You should not have to choose.
I agree with McLeod that our brains need attention and fuel. I also agree that we should make ourselves stand out. But the question is how. It is not always that easy. That is where a person’s heart comes into play. Everyone has a heart. I believe that a heart can do many big things. A heart can make a difference. And it can do so anywhere. Even at home.
2. What Would Socrates Do?
Well Socrates would not Google first of all. The internet was not even around. And he had all the answers right? So he wouldn’t have any questions. And why does it have to be Google? Yahoo would work too.
How about the question: What would Jesus do? Of course then we bring in the whole religion ordeal. God forbid.
What would Jesus do? I don’t know. I care, but don’t know. Maybe because it’s a rhetorical question.
And I don’t like Ask Jeeves.
3. Got Passion? If Not, I’ll Tell You What To Care About.
No you won’t tell me what to care about. No one cares. It’s true. You can whine about a class all you want. It doesn’t change the fact that you need to take it. So there is no point in arguing about it. It won’t get you anywhere. You have a dream. And you’re willing to put your life on the line. Okay. No one cares. You signed up for the class. You need it to graduate. So deal with it. Of course there is always that one kid who asks, “When are we going to use this stuff?” Kids don’t really want to know. They just want to get the teacher off topic.
And recess. Unless you are in elementary school, forget it. There’s no recess or time to unwind. Deal with it.
What is the teacher’s job? Well I can tell you what it’s not. It is not just giving the words and tools and examples, and then just leaving. If that were the case, then there would be no need for teachers. But we do need them to show us the way and enlighten us with their knowledge. And whether they see us enjoying the class or not, they don’t care. They have to teach the class, and get their job done.
4. My Memory Is Only As Big As My Heart. Otherwise, I’ll Stick with Google.
Memorizing facts. I’ve been doing since elementary school. Everyone does. But the question is: Are you learning and retaining the information? I think so. You may disagree. Although, you can’t use Google to memorize facts for you. That just doesn’t make sense. A computer memorizing the information that you need to know. How does that work?
However, when you need answers quick, search engines are very helpful. Why have teachers ask a question and lecture about the subject for the whole class period? And then they give the answer. What is the point? Honestly, I don’t understand it. Just give me the answers. When going into long lecture, I lose focus. And usually, I start daydreaming. Then by the time the answer is given, I miss it.
Don’t give monotone lectures. And stories don’t help either. I think they just stray from the real question. Instead, involve the class in a class discussion. Everyone has a say. Everyone can talk. Everyone is happy. And I can get the answer quicker.
I’ll remember what you say, if you don’t bore me to death first. And of course, if I have a pen to write it down.
5. Look It Up or Die
The internet is great. You can search for almost anything on it. And you only have to look through about a million of results before you find the one you need. Really, it’s great. Not time consuming at all. And then you have to worry about if what you find is actually a fact, or if someone who was bored one day just made it up. How can you be sure? Where did all the facts go? Beats me.
Are you teaching me to take notes or think? I would like to think that it’s both.
And if my child had a fever and I needed a quick remedy, I would call my mother.
P.S. Index cards stink. They are waste of time and paper. Pointless.
6. Collaboration Ain’t About Holding Hands. It’s About Going Cool Places Fast.
How big is my classroom? Ha. How big is my school? Haha. Does it matter?
I don’t need friends. I have plenty.
And if someone from a foreign country leaves me a comment on a blog, I don’t think it’s sexy. It’s interesting and a little exciting, but I’m not going to throw a party or anything. The world is bigger than just North America. There is life beyond the United States. However being able to converse with other people on other continents is a cool concept. It’s technology. It’s alive and very in our lives. Maybe I’m not as excited as McLeod because I’ve been exposed to technology longer than he has? I don’t know.
Technology is becoming more advanced everyday. People are working to make sure that we can get all the information we want. And we never have to leave our computer chair.
But that’s not enough. We are greedy. We want more. Cool Places fast? No, now we want cooler places faster. Well good luck.
7. Nobody Knows the Answer. Get Comfy with the Question.
What do you mean nobody knows the answer? Someone has to know the answer. Like Google for example.
Smart people shouldn’t ask questions. They should know the answer. That’s dumb. They got smart by asking the right questions.
If you ask me a question any question I probably will have an answer for you. Whether it’s right, well I don’t know.
So I need to be taught how to be smart. And ask great questions. But will I get great answers? I’m ready. I’ve been ready. Now it’s up to the teacher to help me.
Favorite lines: “I’m ready. I’ve been ready.” What I’d like to explore:
“I also agree that we should make ourselves stand out. But the question is how. It is not always that easy. That is where a person’s heart comes into play. Everyone has a heart. I believe that a heart can do many big things. A heart can make a difference. And it can do so anywhere. Even at home.”
I’m very interested in what you might do, and I know your question is “how”? I hear you, but I am wondering where you would begin? What would that look like?
After re-reading my post and the section about standing out, I have realized the “how” part of it. I have reviewed it and thought about it, and I have become quite aware of the answer. In order to stand out, you need to be involved. Involved with everything that is going on around you. Now the second part of the question is what being involved would look like. And in a school environment, in my opinion, the best answer would be NHS. The National Honors Society is a great way to stand out academically in the school, as well as in the community. This society will recognize students who work hard in school and allow the teachers to teach them, because they were ready. Then those students have the ability to go out into the community and volunteer. The hours they are getting won’t seem as important as the good deed they are accomplishing. This is a chance for students to strive for something that is meaningful now and will be in their future. And even though not everyone is accepted, those who aren’t will be inspired to try and stand out in their own way.
http://www.nhs.us/- The National Honors Society
Rachel-
Your statement has successfully taken the “Future of Learning Manifesto” and made it realistic for today’s student! My favorite part: “I’ll remember what you say, if you don’t bore me to death first. And of course, if I have a pen to write it down.” You have shown that technology is a great advantage to possess, but it is not helpful if it is not interesting to the student. The best way to learn is through experience and questioning, regardless of how many computer labs a school has. Your words have embodied the feelings of a learner in today’s tech-driven society.
I like your attitude in your blog. The “deal with it” attitude. You are absolutely right, you have to put up or shut up. This is life and no one said life was fair or easy or painless. I also like the point you raise “What would Jesus do? Of course then we bring in the whole religion ordeal. God forbid.” And you are right people seem to not want to bring religion into things. I think beause they are scared. And people are scared of what they do not know. I agree with you on this whole blog. You are putting you opions out in the world for everyone to read. Bravo!
Rachel, I really like your blog. I agree with several of your opinions. Your statement, “dreams mean nothing, unless you can reach it”, is so true! It is great to dream, but you must be willing to work hard to make that dream a reality. All too often I hear people talking about their future life plans. They sound so great and inviting, but I know that to attain that lifestyle one must really work hard. Sometimes I feel that people have dreams, but don’t realize the hard work required to achieve their dreams. For example, I hear students complain that “my teacher failed me” or “my teacher never gives me a good grade.” I can’t understand how they can blame the teacher for their bad grades. Your statement, “We make our own dreams for ourselves; they are not made for us” is perfect to prove this point. Students can not blame their teachers for their bad grades. It is up to the students to earn the grades that they will receive. If a student does not apply himself, then how can he expect to receive a passing grade?
I also agree with your Look It Up or Die entry. In this entry you state that you like the internet because it makes your life easier, but that it can also be a burden. The internet has so many benefits and makes completing school work so much easier. The internet allows me to research information in the comforts of my home instead of needing to drive to the library to search for my information in the library books. The internet also allows me to obtain information from all over the world with only a few clicks of the mouse. The internet also has downfalls. A statement in your blog that perfectly describes one downfall of the internet is, “And then you have to worry about if what you find is actually a fact, or if someone who was bored one day just made it up. How can you be sure?” A disturbing truth of the internet is that often time people put false information on the internet. I guess we all take our chances by using the internet because it is so easy. Today we do whatever is easiest.
In your blog there are a few statements that I disagree with. One statement is that “Index cards stink.” I really do believe in index cards. For me, they help reinforce the information that I need to learn. With today’s modern technology you can even use the computer to make note cards. For example, to study Spanish you can go onto the website in our Spanish book and they have note cards available to help you study the vocabulary. Check out this website: http://www.classzone.com/books/en_espanol_1/. Maybe this website will help change your thoughts on note cards. In your blog you state that note cards, “are a waste of time and paper.” By using the internet note cards you do not waste paper or time. Another statement that I disagree with is, “Don’t give monotone lectures. And stories don’t help either. I think they just stray from the real question.” I don’t mind lectures as long as there are stories incorporated in the lecture. Stories help me relate to the information and make remembering the information a lot easier. Facts can become boring, but when the teacher incorporates the fact in a story, then I can remember the fact. All in all, I really respect your blog and I hope my comment to your blog is insightful and fun for you to read.
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