Thursday, March 24, 2011

In 21 Words or Less

by Shelly Blake-Plock

Here's the scenario: You have been put in charge of creating a brand new education system. Whatever you decide will be done. You are the monarch. You have unlimited resources and everyone is mandated to do your bidding (and they love you and think you are a genius).

And they are waiting to hear your concept.

One caveat: This being the 21st century, you have to explain your entire concept in 21 words or less.

So, let's hear what you've got.
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56 comments:

  1. Roderick VesperMarch 24, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    We will seek balance between creative and critical thinking through a flexible, thematic, humanities based, student driven curriculum anchored in exploration.

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  2. mathprofcarrieMarch 24, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    "Real Problem"-driven interdisciplinary curriculum which transcends the classroom walls to the cloud and back.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Teach them how to learn: literary foundations, critical discussion, demonstrate that proposition at the chalkboard, and essays, essays, essays with feedback.

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  4. Fred BartelsMarch 24, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    I resign my benevolent dictatorship and encourage the formation of democratic governance structures as they are essential to address this question.

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  5. Mike CurtisMarch 24, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Authentic learning by combining classroom with real world activities - visiting workplaces, volunteer activities, touring museums and cultural/historical places, and traveling.

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  6. Doug HinkleMarch 24, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Using technology to truly go where no student has gone before.
    "what cannot you and I perform?" Macbeth

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  7. JoshMarch 24, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. JoshMarch 24, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    24/7 all you can learn buffet. Students choose when, what, and how to learn based on passion and life goals.

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  9. Scott KempMarch 24, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Learning - up front and essential. No marks, just feedback. Encouraged inquiry and problem solving. Create something original and meaningful. Be great!

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  10. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    Passion driven, feedback fueled, student centered, meaningful, gradeless, enjoyable, networked, learning frenzy.

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  11. Zoe FrenchMarch 24, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Collobrative learning environments that are student driven. Not tests,no assignments, no subject areas. Technology makes the entire world their classroom.

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  12. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Trying to be clever with 21 word solutions is part of the problem. Complex problems require complex solutions. Let's get started.

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  13. RyanMarch 24, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    The question "what is best for our students?" will be the way in which we address every facet of education.

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  14. Peter PappasMarch 24, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Provoke reflection (someone else can use my last 19 words)

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  15. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    an education that is engaging and that endures the test of time...whatever that may look like.

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  16. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Let the consumers / students choose the way. Let us guide them and assist them. Let passion be the fuel.

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  17. Paul BogushMarch 24, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    1-let
    2-the
    3-kids
    4-decide

    5-...please

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  18. KarynMarch 24, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Passionate, interactive classroom instruction should challenge worldviews to refine and strengthen them. Heavy critical thinking and writing components sure wouldn't hurt.

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  19. Mr PesasMarch 24, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Learn darnit. And everyone stop saying, "I'm not good at Math/Science"
    .
    .
    .
    Nobody ever says "Oh, I'm not good at Reading" That's just unacceptable. But, why is it acceptable to say "I'm not good at Math?"

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  20. Tang SiqiMarch 24, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Reinvent history lessons. Learn from today to make a better world tomorrow where kids address today's conflicts and think of solutions.

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  21. AnonymousMarch 24, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Teachers engage in professional development, emphasize process over product, and make the purpose of assignments transparent to students.

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  22. MrViscidiMarch 24, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Engaging students with cross-curricular problems that require popular technologies and mind driven skills to solve.

    ReplyDelete
  23. NormanMarch 25, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    Talk is cheap. How many people do what they are saying? Walk the Walk. Just do it! You may get fired!

    ReplyDelete
  24. TeacherMarch 25, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Engage, explore, and learn. To infinity and beyond!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Manuel S. HerreraMarch 25, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Students AND Teachers creating individual endeavors that drive what and how they learn. Eliminate virtual field trips and take real ones.

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  26. RikuMarch 25, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Let learners investigate what they are interested in and learn what they need to. The teacher is a coach.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousMarch 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Engage, Empower, Play, Create, Reflect.
    @surreallyno

    ReplyDelete
  28. monika hardyMarch 25, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    nothing is for everyone. choice empowers. your school/life design it. 1-1 mentors. share back: ie wikipedia. be you.

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMarch 25, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I left my comment as a full post. I went under twenty-one words and then I went over it on my explanation. I don't do well with guidelines, I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    We will answer each question and listen to each person's points of view.

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  31. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 3:52 AM

    We will find the answer to each question together,lrespecting to each person's point of view.

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  32. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 3:54 AM

    We will follow the planned learning sequence,finding the answer to each question together, respecting each person's viewpoint.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousMarch 27, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Sharing experiences with children to encrease enquiring attitudes, creative minds and collaborative ways of solving problems. (17 words)

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  34. ajourneytowardeducationMarch 27, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Learning is forever. Let's start early and never stop. Reading is crucial. Writing is necessary and math happens everywhere everyday.

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  35. RickMarch 27, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Spend the money to hire the smartest teachers. Measure smart by personal achievement: appropriate major, best grades, innovative creation, obvious success.

    ReplyDelete
  36. RickMarch 27, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Check out Mr Pesas' response. Then read all the suggestions that cluster around the idea of letting students learn what they want. (Nudge in the right direction: too few will choose math/science.) The teacher must lead.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Jacques CoolMarch 27, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Students create. Teachers learn. Administrators lead. Parents are partners. Community participates. School is green. Arts prevail. Learning is leveraged by technology.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Michael GretherMarch 27, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    Education that uses the arts, music, humanities, and technology as the basis to ignite curiosities, teach skills, and expand minds.

    ---------
    Www.thebusinessofeducating.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    1:1 labtops with student influenced curriculum, authentic project based learning and "free learning" days for student and staff---abolish grades

    Tim Monreal
    @mryoungteacher

    ReplyDelete
  40. Promotional PensMarch 29, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Families have to be involved as a whole unit with a common goal.

    ReplyDelete
  41. mshertzMarch 29, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Keep students in the forefront of everything we do. Collaborate, communicate, experiment and reflect. Let's take responsibility to be the best we can be for students.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Dolly PaolucciMarch 31, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Maximize the use of the resources that have been given to you. Make sure that your students don't fall behind.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Ian Chia (from Being Prudence)March 31, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    For the learners:

    "This is what the real world is, all around the planet. Good and bad. What are you interested in? We'll help."

    For the people helping the learners:

    "Be humble. Build tools. Share. Empower, engage, connect, collaborate. Inspire curiosity, passion, integrity. Imagine. Learn. We would be less without you."

    ReplyDelete
  44. James WilliamsApril 1, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Offer a set of guidelines that lend themselves to further questioning. The questioning leads to seeking answers, the more questions. (20 words)

    *Creative outlets, IT, writing, art, even spoken word, to demonstrate their findings. The educator they conference with offers ideas as building blocks, not directives, then the process repeats itself, perpetual learning. Sorry, I just described how most of us live and learn in the real world, plus-minus the incentive of course.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Brenda M. SandbulteApril 1, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Einstein's mother daily asked, "Did you ask any good questions today?" Let's do that...ask good questions and seek answers together!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Tom KingApril 3, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    "What do you need to learn and how can we help you learn it?

    When done, show us what you know."

    ReplyDelete
  47. Mr. HalpernApril 3, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Joy. Find joy in your teaching and students will love learning.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Ian H.April 3, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Expect excellence from everyone: staff, teachers, administrators, students, parents, everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Nathan GerryApril 4, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Real thinking requires an education that leaves you fully at the controls of life. Welcome to Starship You - Are you ready?

    ReplyDelete
  50. RandiApril 4, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Follow the child. Maria Montessori

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  51. DaveApril 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Families must be involved. Students make decisions about how to meet objectives adults set. 1:1. Positive, constructive attitudes are expected.

    ReplyDelete
  52. dchitturApril 6, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    Teacher and students engaged in real-life project, academic exercises organized around developing and completing the project. Contextual learning and teaching.

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousApril 17, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    The community at large focusing on lifelong learning in the real world developing skills and communicating through multiple means.

    ReplyDelete
  54. SAkersonApril 18, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    1:1; paperless; fearless; collaborative; presentation oriented; no teachers - only coaches/mentors/guides; no walls; questioning; challenging, encouraging; uplifting

    ReplyDelete
  55. Mary MooreApril 18, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Project based..student driven..high interest..curriculum focused

    ReplyDelete
  56. Scott WickhamApril 28, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    School should be like a job, your work should end when you leave the office. No required homework ever.

    ReplyDelete

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