Intro: Intro: Welcome to the final week of the #lifelongKDG twitter book study chat. Please introduce yourself with name, location, role, and share what a “creative society” looks like to you
HI All! Steve from NJ here. I teach game design and development to middle school students. Really, I learn with and from them! #ilovemyjob A creative society is one where we truly embrace opportunities to explore, learn based on our interest, and CREATE #lifelongKDG
N from 🇨🇦, #edtech creator, cofounder, enthusiast.
Creative Society = fewer rules segmenting society, allowing us to learn at our own paces, motivated by our own interests, & then work within areas based on our passions, where our peers are defined by age.
#lifelongKDG
Intro: Intro: Welcome to the final week of the #lifelongKDG twitter book study chat. Please introduce yourself with name, location, role, and share what a “creative society” looks like to you
Q1: @mres states “One of the best ways to help young people prepare for life in a creative society is to make sure that they have the chance to follow interests, explore their ideas, develop their voice” How can we provide an environment that embraces these ideas? #lifelongKDG
Peers are or are not defined by age? I agree with everything you say here. Sounds like a society I want to live in! (Oh wait, I kind of do!) #lifelongKDG
Good morning from Israel. Coming from the Startup Nation (?) I like to think Israel is a creative society. We cut corners and improvise. It's not always a good thing, but it got us this far in 70 years. #lifelongkdg
#lifelongKDG Mike, literacy specialist from NY. Creative society encourages risk taking, emphasize process over product, allows for and supports "failure", allows for choice.
Sean, NYC, #District75 special educator and STEM coach- I think for creativity to flourish there has be the freedom to explore and time to create-structures can be overly rigid #lifelongKDG
A1 - more open-ended units. Instead of planning everything to the nth degree, let Ss choose their own book for a report, or own way of showcase knowledge on a topic (play, essay, diorama, video, robot...) #lifelongKDG
Q1: @mres states “One of the best ways to help young people prepare for life in a creative society is to make sure that they have the chance to follow interests, explore their ideas, develop their voice” How can we provide an environment that embraces these ideas? #lifelongKDG
YES! Not sure why we don't often let kids demonstrate their learning in a way that they choose. #lifelongKDG@CurranCentral can attest to the frustration...
It's amazing. As I read these descriptions of an environment that truly fosters creativity I get so optimistic :) Freedom to explore - absolutely! #lifelongkdg
And on top of that, we expect everyone to take the same amount of time to complete tasks... In 9th grade, my English teacher gave us all the requirements for a unit up front. I finished in a week. We had 6 weeks for the unit. #lifelongKDG
A1: I think that topic has come up in many chats I attend. We need to focus on the WHY to get more buy-in from other educators who are still stuck with lecturing, taking notes and memorizing. @simonsinek#lifelongkdg
Good morning from Israel. Coming from the Startup Nation (?) I like to think Israel is a creative society. We cut corners and improvise. It's not always a good thing, but it got us this far in 70 years. #lifelongkdg
A1: I think that topic has come up in many chats I attend. We need to focus on the WHY to get more buy-in from other educators who are still stuck with lecturing, taking notes and memorizing. @simonsinek#lifelongkdg
A1) it requires a great shift in the traditional mindset, especially in ELA. Secondary ELA gets focused on the work as the content, so there becomes one set pathway. T's objectives need to shift away from singular content. #lifelongKDG
I think creating that society in our classrooms is definitely easier than creating it in a school/city/nation-but even in that there’s hope #lifelongKDG
A1: I love that these are the things @mres says are necessary as my mantra is student choice and passion driven learning. We need to provide students with autonomy in education and have them share their work with the world in order to find their voice! #lifelongkdg
You may think it's easier because it comes naturally to you. I don't think others see it as easy and find plenty of reasons why they can't provide that kind of environment #lifelongKDG
Q2: Chapter 6 speaks of “making learning visible” by posting work around the classroom for everyone to see. How can we build on these ideas to encourage students to make their learning visible to a larger community? #lifelongKDG
A2) We have to start by letting Ss know we value hearing their voice. They can sniff out adults' insincerity. The more they feel their voices are important, the more they will use them. #lifelongKDG
How's that going? I wasn't sure if you were out of the classroom or if the entrepreneurial stuff was in addition to. Best of luck!! We can all give you credit on the risk taking column!!! #lifelongKDG
A2: This @austinkleon quote comes to mind. Our students need an audience, whether through blogging, social media, YouTube, or another outlet. #lifelongKDG
Agreed. I'm focused on an Alternate Reality #gbl I'm developing for teaching Heredity in bio. Having lots of brainstorming with awesome people from our tribe. #lifelongKDG
A1: provide differentiation and a means for all types of learning expressions-especially ones to help the “quiet kids” or the struggling students-the ones turned off by traditional school-make it multimedia, games, theatrical-help them find their means of expression #lifelongKDG
I think the move from being the "holder of all knowledge" to more of an assistant (which is needed to give Ss more autonomy), can be challenging to overcome. Especially if for so many years you've done the first and felt very successful. #lifelongKDG
Truth! #lifelongKDG That's why I like their voice to be authentic and reaching an audience outside of the classroom. I think voice only being practiced in the classroom is contrived.
A2) We have to start by letting Ss know we value hearing their voice. They can sniff out adults' insincerity. The more they feel their voices are important, the more they will use them. #lifelongKDG
Perhaps, but I was also just referencing scale and environments, like a classroom, where there can be some autonomy (depending on the school) outside of regular society #lifelongKDG
A2: This @austinkleon quote comes to mind. Our students need an audience, whether through blogging, social media, YouTube, or another outlet. #lifelongKDG
A2 - While I'm all for putting stuff online, I do think it's more important to have a community invested/interested in the learning. So it may be the class, the parents, or others just interested in the topic. #lifelongKDG
Q2: Chapter 6 speaks of “making learning visible” by posting work around the classroom for everyone to see. How can we build on these ideas to encourage students to make their learning visible to a larger community? #lifelongKDG
A2: My students are blogging, creating @snapguide tutorials, publishing their games online, and much more. I tend to share their work out via social media and just today some kids were excited to see that their blog posts had 50+ views #lifelongkdg
Side note, you never know where interests will lead you. The people behind the #fallenkingdom websites are partly a group of lifelong Jurassic Park fans... #lifelongKDG 🦕🦖
A2: I prefer when it’s not just a finished product-because that only tells part of the student’s journey. Finished student projects posted around. I try to myself or have students document the learning throughout (pics/vids), then there’s a QR code or AR linked vid #lifelongKDG
A3: Today I connect with #3: IF you don't know what to do, fiddle around. Conferencing with writers, I see some of them get blocked by perfectionism, or they're afraid to start b/c they don't know EXACTLY what it will look like in the end. #lifelongKDG
That's true. However - How can we amplify their voice to the community? @mr_isaacs you do that #studentvoice thing so well, posting your Ss work practically anywhere... #lifelongKDG
In reply to
@KronbergToolbox, @mr_isaacs, @mr_isaacs
A3: Work on Things You Like is a biggie. For me and my students. I created my career based on things I am passionate about. I love technology and games and have truly turned the interest into my life's work. #lifelongkdg
A3 - the Start Simple one. So quickly my ideas and projects spiral out of control, and nothing gets built/done. There are more moments of success, if you focus on small steps, and less on the entire vision. Also - easier to pivot. #lifelongKDG
I love the idea of fiddling around and not getting stuck in thinking we don't know where to start. All too often, kids want specific direction - let's change that (help them unlearn it) and let them learn to enjoy fiddling! #lifelongKDG
A3: I try to allow students to find the things like in what we’re learning and always advocate experimentation-failing till we succeed and the copying/collaborating which are essential in any environment-something less natural to me that I’ve worked on #notanisland#lifelongKDG
A3: The tips that resonate most with me as a T, and especially as a P- Work on things you like, keep your ideas in a sketchbook, stick with it! #LifelongKDG
TOTALLY! When my kids are working on their final game, they blog every week or two to document updates. It helps them reflect on their progress and plan ahead. It really helps to chronicle the journey #lifelongKDG
A2: I prefer when it’s not just a finished product-because that only tells part of the student’s journey. Finished student projects posted around. I try to myself or have students document the learning throughout (pics/vids), then there’s a QR code or AR linked vid #lifelongKDG
Copying is such a big one that always feels odd, after 12+ years of school saying it's bad. But, if we all had to go and reinvent the wheel before we could buy a car... #lifelongKDG
A3) "Find a friend ..." and "things can go wrong, " resonate. So many of my Ss struggle as readers and writers. I want them to talk with others about what they read to build understanding together. Writing will &does go wrong. Over & over. It's supposed to. #lifelongKDG
And they become so scared of even borrowing. I repeat over and over if you need an idea for an intro or a transition, go look at a model one. "Isn't that plagiarizing?" No! You're taking an idea and tweaking it! #lifelongKDG
In reply to
@MusingsOnEdTech, @seanmarnold, @mr_isaacs
Makes me also think of the importance of Keep it Simple. Not to say to dumb anything down, but when we think too broadly a project scope can get overwhelming. #lifelongKDG
Q4: Which tips for parents and teachers resonate with you? How do you (or could you) incorporate these ideas as a parent, teacher, or co-learner? #lifelongKDG
Find a friend is a good one. Collaboration should be a natural process and we should not define what that looks like to different kids, but rather, let them create that #lifelongKDG and yes, thinks can (and will) go wrong and that has to be OK!
I love the idea of modding because it allows us to start with something (copy) and then make it our own through tinkering. Sometimes it is good to have that starting point #lifelongKDG
A4 - I'm a big fan of the first one - show examples. I feel like this step often gets missed. We talk through steps of doing something, but rarely do we have a pile of examples that Ss can go dig through afterwards. Both completed and not. #lifelongKDG
Q4: Which tips for parents and teachers resonate with you? How do you (or could you) incorporate these ideas as a parent, teacher, or co-learner? #lifelongKDG
and it's interesting because i get the sense that sometimes you think you are supposed to give it up as a lover of tech, but it's part of you!!! #lifelongKDG
A4: I love #1 Showing Examples. Personally, I need a little idea or parameter to spark my creativity. Sometimes that's all kids need, too, especially if they've been trained to follow the "rules." Seeing a variety of projects can inspire #lifelongKDG
Q4: Which tips for parents and teachers resonate with you? How do you (or could you) incorporate these ideas as a parent, teacher, or co-learner? #lifelongKDG
Yep. And I'm a big fan of learning to code by starting with a tutorial, and then veering off the moment you start thinking "I wonder what would happen if I..." or "How do I do x instead?" #lifelongKDG
A4: I like to show examples. I see my 'teaching' as more of providing those examples, demoing something cool, and then letting the kids take the deep dive. I think they need that initial inspiration if only to be exposed to something new #lifelongkdg
YES! and often people poo poo the tutorials as it seems like we are just following step by step. And I am not a fan of doing them that way, but if the expectation or we are inspired to go beyond, then YES! #lifelongKDG
A3: Tough to choose. I decided my answer was "find a friend to work with and share ideas". I find it hard to think on my own. Just having to explain my thoughts to someone else - preferably someone not connected to the topic. #lifelongkdg
A4) I am big on Process over Product. I feel that way about writing instruction and always approached directing school plays the same way. We want students to replicate processes, not create the same product over and over. I grow thru reflecting on the process. #lifelongKDG
A4: getting parents/teachers to be okay with non-traditional making and emphasizing process are big ones that take a little proof through example sometimes before they’re comfortable #lifelongKDG
Q5: According to @mres, to meet the needs of a creative society, we need to break down many structural barriers in the educational system (can I hear an AMEN?). If we had no barriers, what COULD school look like? #lifelongKDG
You're absolutely right on trust in structures/mgmt. My admin is extremely supportive and forward thinking, and I've been in the school/community long enough to have that trust, but I know some principals would be hesitant...#lifelongKDG
In reply to
@seanmarnold, @mr_isaacs, @KronbergToolbox, @MusingsOnEdTech
A5: Back in 2014 I wrote a blog post about the Ultimate High School as I envisioned it based on a tweet from @SujataBhatt - most of the ideas hold true in response to this question https://t.co/QdXhcBWXrM#lifelongkdg
A5 - An open area where kids hangout during the day to work on Projects, built on their Passions, with their Peers, and all while focused on Play. 😉 #lifelongKDG
Q5: According to @mres, to meet the needs of a creative society, we need to break down many structural barriers in the educational system (can I hear an AMEN?). If we had no barriers, what COULD school look like? #lifelongKDG
A5: NO BELLS!!!! Students choosing to move in & out of rooms, mtg with teachers and classmates, flex time and more choice. Ts are there to serve as advisors & guides #lifelongKDG
Q5: According to @mres, to meet the needs of a creative society, we need to break down many structural barriers in the educational system (can I hear an AMEN?). If we had no barriers, what COULD school look like? #lifelongKDG
A4: Oooh, tips for parents & teachers? Emphasize process (while praising quality of product- can't quite let go of that), get involved as a collaborator (but don't take over) #LifelongKDG
A4: Again, they're all great tips. I'm gonna go with Ask authentic questions, and Papert. No need for all the hype of made up terms. Excellent pedagogy started with Dewey 1916 #lifelongkdg
Wouldn't that be AWESOME! #lifelongKDG truly individualize education - I do wonder how it would look for kids that really need more direction but it would be incredible for the kids that could see the opportunities!
A5 - An open area where kids hangout during the day to work on Projects, built on their Passions, with their Peers, and all while focused on Play. 😉 #lifelongKDG
Q5: According to @mres, to meet the needs of a creative society, we need to break down many structural barriers in the educational system (can I hear an AMEN?). If we had no barriers, what COULD school look like? #lifelongKDG
A5: It’s hard for me to determine the difference between barrier and challenge-if barrier is admin or teacher who won’t let S explore-then glad they’re gone-if it’s the struggle to learn-then it’s beneficial to let them break though rather than remove it #lifelongKDG
Q6: @mres points out the hopeful signs as he refers to himself as a long term optimist. He refers to trends that support non-traditional approaches to learning. What are some examples you see that embrace the spirit of Lifelong Kindergarten? #lifelongKDG
A5) There will ALWAYS be barriers. I think we need to talk about pushing them out farther and taking what we learned here any applying them in our current situations. That will push barriers out. Change comes slowly in educational systems. #lifelongKDG
totally agree - and if we invest the time in helping them find that passion - then the magic starts even for the kids that seem to need so much direction #lifelongKDG
A5: Hello Qmero, numero 5! AMEN! Ss learning about things that are important to them. How all the content we teach in silos connects to things in the real world. #LifelongKDG
Q5: According to @mres, to meet the needs of a creative society, we need to break down many structural barriers in the educational system (can I hear an AMEN?). If we had no barriers, what COULD school look like? #lifelongKDG
A6 - A tiny step, but even the fact that more Ts are using products that tailor the content based on Ss current ability (like @ProdigyGame) is a step forward. In order to let go of control, 1st recognize not all Ss the same ✔️, next is to meet each where they are. #lifelongKDG
Q6: @mres points out the hopeful signs as he refers to himself as a long term optimist. He refers to trends that support non-traditional approaches to learning. What are some examples you see that embrace the spirit of Lifelong Kindergarten? #lifelongKDG
A5: Many different kinds of spaces, Ss immersed in a story, and all their learning comes from solving authentic problems embedded in that story. Our brain doesn't even remember info if it's not relevant and there's no emotion to go with it. https://t.co/AJwuuHxTv8#lifelongkdg
A6: I think that much of the work we see around learning spaces, flexible scheduling, personalized learning, makerspaces, digital making, etc. are steps in the right direction. #lifelongKDG
Outro: Thank you for participating in the #lifelongKDG chat over the past six weeks! Please say good bye with your name, location, and your choice for a future twitter book study chat!
A6) Multi-age classrooms, choice/quest-based learning. Also acceptance that a classroom can be loud or chaotic in appearance, yet still well-managed. #lifelongKDG
Outro: Steve from NJ - Grateful to everyone for joining this chat for the past six weeks. I learn so much when I learn with and from others. I am interested in a book chat on Mindstorms by Seymour Papert. #lifelongkdg
