Sue Dunlop Consulting

#makeschooldifferent – Five Things

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by

Sue Dunlop
Photo Credit: DaveBleasdale via Compfight cc
Photo Credit: DaveBleasdale via Compfight cc

With thanks to Scott McLeod, who started this whole thing, Donna Fry, who picked it up in Ontario, and Aviva Dunsiger who tagged me in her post.

1.  We have to stop pretending…that learning is natural and easy. Maybe when we were babies and toddlers, learning came easy. But it’s hard and it takes time.

2. We have to stop pretending…one kind of professional learning is best. Neither edcamp, or learning communities, or large group or self directed learning work all the time.

3. We have to stop pretending… that learning how to use an application or software means we are using technology to enhance learning.

4. We have to stop pretending…that change can happen quickly. For most of us, we need time to absorb, to try, to reflect, to learn.

5. We have to stop pretending…that one approach, one researcher, one policy maker has all the answers.

Next up, I challenge Jeff Dumoulin, Sherry Spelic, Brandon Grasley, Heather Theijsmeijer, and Beth Hulan. What do you think we need to do to #makeschooldifferent?

Comments

7 Responses to “#makeschooldifferent – Five Things”

  1. Aviva (@avivaloca) Avatar
    Aviva (@avivaloca)

    Thanks for taking this challenge, Sue! I love reading the “lists of five” from different people in education. It’s neat to see the similarities and the differences. I especially like #3 on your list. As we continue to increase the use of technology in education, how do we quickly refocus on the learning and not the application/program? I’d be curious to hear what people do.

    Aviva

    P.S. Great group of five that you tagged here. I’m excited to read their posts!

    Reply
    1. Sue Dunlop Avatar
      Sue Dunlop

      It is a wonderful challenge from Scott MacLeod. There are many overlaps – which makes it more powerful.

      Reply
  2. @bethiejh Avatar
    @bethiejh

    A great list Sue!
    Your #4 is especially important.
    Change is a part of growth, but it is the gradual changes that usually stay with us. These gradual changes last because we have thought them through, proven to ourselves they are worthwhile because we have experienced the positive impact they bring about.

    Reply
  3. Scott McLeod Avatar
    Scott McLeod

    #2 is particularly awesome. We need to MIX IT UP! Not sure why this is such a hard concept for our school systems to wrap their heads around…

    Thanks for participating, Sue!

    Reply
    1. Sue Dunlop Avatar
      Sue Dunlop

      Thanks for reading. You really hit on something with this challenge and hashtag. And now..how do we make change? We keep repeating and discussing. And when we have the opportunity to make a decision that impacts one, we should be true to our beliefs – not just go along to get along. Wow, that’s tough. I feel another post coming on.

      Reply
  4. astanfie Avatar
    astanfie

    @avivaloca What I do is I plan the pedagogy, the learning, and then I figure out what tools/resources students might need to support it. The technology inevitably comes into play. But the more important followup question is, could they use a non-tech tool and would the result be just as good? As Sue said, it should enhance the learning, not just replace another tool. Constant reflection of practice, as always, with technology or not. Of course, when using a new tool, there is inevitably a learning curve. With iPads going home in our school, I try to have students learn the app, the effect, the skill, at home so they’re ready to apply the knowledge at school.

    Sue, your “change comes slow” comment resonated with me, out of sheer frustration. I’m a quick learner, I can analyze and reflect easily, and although change scares the life out of me at times, I embrace it. So I struggle with what I can perceive as process moving at a minimal pace. If I could only pick it up and move it along! I know I have to take others into consideration: they may take more time to process, they may fear change, they may be stubborn, or another reason, but it really is a struggle for me sometimes. What I’m trying to do, to benefit others and me, is I support others, act as a resource or a sounding board, as much as I can. Win-win!

    Reply
    1. Sue Dunlop Avatar
      Sue Dunlop

      When you define yourself as a quick learner, what exactly do you mean? Do you synthesize new information and create new schema? And then a change in behaviour results?

      Reply

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