An innovative solution to America’s failure to develop bilingual students

My recent attendance at the Global Forum in Prague, made it abundantly clear that technological development, ease of transportation and communication, and more have all led to the creation of today’s interdependent global community.

As I moved throughout the forum I could hear hundreds of educators from around the world speaking English with various accents. What was disappointing, was most of the Americans could only speak one language despite the foreign language requirements we all have in America schools and colleges. Unfortunately American schools still have not got the memo that the way we teach language is quite simply a failure.  

Why I don’t support 1:1 tech programs

I recently shared why Anthony Salcito said he didn’t support 1:1 tech. Some people didn’t read past the headline and responded with reactions like this:

@anthonysalcito As a principal in a 1:1 school, I am concerned about the message you are sending. Would love to talk more.
— catherine poling (@catherinepoling) December 2, 2012

@catherinepoling I am absolutely in favor of 1:1. All I said is we need to focus on the RIGHT 1 in 1:1.Students and learning not device.
— Anthony Salcito (@AnthonySalcito) December 3, 2012

@anthonysalcito I couldn't agree more! Thank you for clarifying.
— catherine poling (@catherinepoling) December 4, 2012

Those who read before they reacted were encouraged that Mr. Salcito was saying what many of us have been thinking. Students, not devices, should lead our 1:1 purchasing decisions.  The unfortunate reality is that in MANY cases purchasing decisions are NOT made by the innovative educators who know tech purchases should be driven by learning goals, not the latest gadget the IT department or an administrator removed from the classroom.

When do you need consent to share student info? - You may be surprised

Do you think you need consent to
use a student's photo?

Innovative educators use digital resources such as social media and other online spaces with students, so it’s important that they know when it is necessary to notify students and families when their information is shared and when consent is needed.  

“Many parents, teachers, and school personnel are convinced that the release of names, addresses, or phone numbers is “against the law,” a firmly held belief which has circulated so widely that it is generally assumed to be true. Thus, the release of names or phone numbers—even to a PTA committee or classroom parent—may generate confusion or controversy within the school community.” Releasing Student Information: What’s Public and What’s Not, Huges - School Law Bulletin p. 19

The answer is such information can be released as long as the school has notified parents and students annually of their rights and has allowed them a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them.

Why the flip’s a flop

I don’t like the Flipped Classroom approach because its foundation is in flipping lectures from classwork to homework.

There are two problems with that.

1. Lecture
   Lecture is not the most effective method for learning and,
2. Homework
   Not only should families not be forced to bring school into the home, but there is a growing body of research shared by education thought-leaders like Alfie Kohn, Peter Dewitt, Ira Socal, and Joe Bower that says there’s little to no benefit in doing so.  

When this is pointed out to flipped classroom proponents they often carry on about the model being more than lecture-driven homework. Especially, they explain, for those who have evolved to flipped classroom 201 or 2.0. But for those teachers who are enlightened to know that homework and lecture are not best ways to support learning, why hang on to a term rooted in that?  

Innovative resource to address test anxiety

Here’s an innovative way to help students learn while managing stress and maintaining focus.

Meditation!

While most innovative educators know there are better ways to assess students than tests, for many it has become an inescapable reality.  As those who meditate know, it can help reduce feelings of stress and live happier and more balanced lives.

Bring that to the classroom and you have Educational Meditation! Wild Divine has combined the power of technology (New World) with the best of breathing and relaxation techniques (Old World).

What's a teacher to do?

I play volleyball with a public school teacher who is the kind of teacher any parent would want for their children. She is a wonderful role model. She is passionate, dedicated, devoted, and always trying to come up with creative ways for her students to learn. For example she recently invited her students take the Myers Briggs test as an interesting way to think about the career they want for their future and she started a Facebook group to connect her alumnae students with current students to discuss college and careers.  In the meantime, all sorts of great literacy skills are being honed i.e. reading, writing, discussing, career readiness.

She also brings her students into the conversation. She shares the assessments they'll need to pass (English Regents) and they discuss the best way to get there. Then they write their own personal learning plan to meet this goal. It's all good. It's all the best of our teachers do.

But there's a problem. One similar to what high school math teacher Crystal Kirch recently shared on her blog when she asked for help (but didn't really want to listen to advice) with her biggest struggle this year:

"My students don't know how to learn.  They don't know how to succeed.  And, it doesn't seem like they care to change any of that. "

My friend's problem was similar in some ways.  She explained, my students just don't want to do the work. She said she has tried everything she can think of and she is frustrated because she just can't seem to motivate them.