BYOT's place in the Creativity/Curiosity Movement

As Daniel Pink has laid claim in his grounbreaking book, "A Whole New Mind," the right brain is the most relevant and necessary part of the brain to use in the increasingly globalized 21st century of learning. Creativity is a HUGE part of this. Simply put, if we want students to have a fighting chance in this ever-changing 21st century landscape, then we MUST place more emphasis on this higher order thinking skill: CREATIVITY. Our student's futures simply depend on it. Pertaining to the future of students, the Vimeo video titled "the Future belongs to the Curious"  http://vimeo.com/34853044  is an inspiring thrust to all students and educators in this world of stale and paralyzing standardized testing. If we want to truly make a difference, we must find ways to innovate and create, dream and imagine while staring standardized inititiaves like CCSS in the face. One way of doing this, is to implement BYOT/BYOD ("Bring Your Own Technology/Device") in the midst of the required CCSS initiative.

The technology is NOT the sole answer. The answer may lie in the fact that we as the adults/educators have decided to say "yes." By allowing BYOT, we are, in essence, saying "it is okay for you to be free to learn as you see fit." BYOT simply lends itself to a more "real-life" experience for students in the digital age. Students can use their devices to create for themselves, to search for answers to their questions, to muse, to simply be their curious selves while dreaming of the next best invention or cure for disease. What a treat we, educators, have to assist our students in this process! Below is a response from one of my school district's teachers who has mused about the thought of creativity and curiosity...

"Curiosity and Creativity are - I believe - at the heart of learning. With curiosity, the student has an emotional investment in his/her own learning and is likely to remember and apply what he/she has learned in real life. Creativity is allowing the student to use his own best set of skills to learn and produce results."

What do you think? Do you believe BYOT lends itself to a more curious and creative learning process for students?

Guest Post... "Global Irony- An American Educator's visit to China"

Written by Ryan Jackson, Journalism Teacher at Maplewood High School, Metro-Nashville Public Schools:

Previously, when I thought of China, the last thing I thought of was teaching and learning. Instead, I thought of the countless imprints at Wal-Mart that read made in China, America’s own suffering Gross Domestic Product, or, embarrassingly, John Woo’s Hong Kong action flicks from the late 80s. So, when I was asked by Vanderbilt and Metro Nashville Public Schools to travel to the People’s Republic of China so that I could help share insight on developing and fostering Chinese students’ critical and abstract thinking skills, while collaborating with Chinese teachers on incorporating 21st century teaching pedagogies, I was excited and perplexed.

See, I was under the impression, mostly due to our media and the U.S.’s own wild sense of paranoia, that Chinese students were quite possibly some of the world’s most perfect students. I’d heard of intense, even robot-like study habits, coupled with razor-sharp focus and a determination that would make the hardest pentathlon champion blush. Like I said, my perception was set and the thought of me teaching any Chinese student, let alone teachers, seemed absolutely ridiculous.

However, day one in Guangzhou, China, sitting front and center at South China Normal University listening to Professor Wu explain the Chinese government’s paralyzing fear that their own education system is producing a nation of factory workers not creative types, I felt my head was going to explode: Paradigm Shift. Due to my limited space allotted here on this blog, I’ll keep my rug-pulling awakening brief. Basically, Chinese teachers lecture, students listen and write down information, regurgitate that information on a standardized test, then based on this test score attend a post-secondary school which will ultimately determine their lives’ fate - literally. That is a succinct yet fairly accurate description of a Chinese student’s academic career. Sit. Listen. Write. Sit. Listen. Write. Sit. Well, you get the picture. Are the students focused? I guess. Are they robot-like in terms of work ethic? They have to be - the fate of their lives depends on it (this is no hyperbole).

Therefore, the rest of my time spent in Guangzhou was helping teachers appreciate the value of questioning, incorporating cross-curricular lessons and project-based group learning, all while infusing a bit of fun in an otherwise stale learning environment. My perceptions were again shattered at not only the students’ willingness to try and accept this frenetic, inquiry-based approach to learning but also at the Chinese teachers’ desire and appreciation for a fresh, right-brain approach to teaching and learning. At the risk of sounding of corny, I felt like I was making a difference. Sitting with my American educators at dinner, over a fresh plate of bok choy, I would smile and share the untapped love of learning and teaching the Chinese were experiencing. As an educator it was rejuvenating.

And then reality set in...

My American team and I couldn’t help dance around the irony of the Chinese government seeking out help from the perceived cutting-edge educators from the West in order to propel their country into the 21st century. I then realized that just as my perceptions were vastly skewed, so were theirs. America’s own educational system is orbiting around standardized test scores, sit-and-get pedagogy, and answers being more important than questions. Here I was doing my best trying to help Chinese teachers turn their students into the creators of the iPod not just the manufacturer, while back in the states our own academic stagnation was turning our students into regurgitation robots.

I’m frequently asked about my trip to China, and the reality is there were so many takeaways, both personally and professionally. However, only one truly keeps me awake at night: China realizes what it will take in order to be the world’s #1 powerhouse as we advance deeper into the 21st century. They even realize and respect the fact that the United States has the ideologies and pedagogies it will take in order to fulfill this prophecy. Then the irony sets back in.

Will America realize and respect the imperative ideologies and pedagogies it will take in order to compete in tomorrow’s global climate?

Leadership- A Father's Day Special

This Father's day, I am reminded of of my own Father. His passing in 2006 makes each passing Father's Day more surreal. "I cannot believe my dad is not here," I will say to myself. However, in his absence, I am prompted to think of the legacy he left me and the dozens of others who called him friend. My father, by no means was perfect, BUT what he lacked in perfection, he made up for in hard work, passion, a love for others, and most importantly... a love for his family. Looking back, this poor high school graduate would not be viewed by many (or perhaps even by himself) as a leader. However, as the second oldest of five children, I can confidently say he was. If he were here today, I would look him in the eye and say two simple words... "thank you." Thanks dad for leading me, encouraging the value of education, selflessly putting your family's desires above your own, relentlessly valuing family over fame or fortune or a 401k. I would go on to tell him that what he lacked in financial prowess he more than made up for in family focus, faithful provisions, and a feverish pursuit of a better life for his children compared to his own upbringing. His constant encouragement for his children to attend college and get a degree was paramount for me to see and hear. And, you know what... I am not so sure he was really saying quite literally "get a degree" as much as he was saying, "push yourself," "challenge yourself," better yourself," "the possibilities are endless," "you can do anything you set your mind to!" What a leader! He was a motivator and he probably did not even know it. However, it was not just his words... It was his actions. You see, my dad was present. He was there for me and the rest of my family. Look, I get it... We live very busy lives. We are at the office late, we have to deal with crises that take up our time, others NEED us, we trick ourselves into thinking others NEED us when they really don't. The list goes on and on. What if my father had chosen to believe these excuses? I am not so sure I would have been given the great life lessons of hard work, passion, and persistence he so eloquently communicated to his loved ones. I am not saying he did not work, but I am saying that after looooonnnnnggg days of working (at times up to four jobs), he still found time to BE with his family. I am grateful for that. You see, my father did not have the chance to take me on vacation for a bike ride on the beach as the picture above depicts. I get it... I am privileged to be able to take that ride with my son. However, when the going gets tough, the pressure starts to mount, the deadlines begin to come into sight; I need to remember what my own father did for me: he put all of the work minutia aside and spent time investing into family. This is perhaps what my father did best! Therefore, this next year, I encourage you to lead: to lead others, and to lead your family. And, in order to lead, you have to be present. I encourage you to leave work early some days. I encourage you to take a risk from time to time and let your boss know why: the reason being to spend more time with family. Who knows? Perhaps you will speak into the lives of the workaholics you work alongside. You could change a work culture by living a life bigger than yourself. So... next time you have a conflict between work and family, choose family. Put down the cellphone, turn off your computer, delay your plans and just BE.

What are you contributing?

The mission of Timothy Drinkwine is to exhort, teach, and give:

·         I will make every attempt to encourage others through exhortation so as to inspire, entrust, and empower those around me.

·         I will seek every possible teachable moment in order to better the world around me. I am a natural learner and seek to lead by example in the endeavor to teach others how to learn.

·         I will pursue selflessness by giving of myself: my time, my resources, my money and anything else that may distract me from an others-centered life.

Why is this my mission? My mission is to exhort, teach and give because it has the propensity and the audacity to leave an imprint on this world suggesting a contribution was made. I live a life of purpose. My purpose was blueprinted from the beginning of time. It is humbling to contribute to this whisper of a life each and every day.

As a way to contribute to this world and to the lives of others, I have been given the opportunity to serve others, primarily young people and those who lead them in the area of education. As an educational leader, strengths such as leadership, communication, flexibility, kindness, loyalty, integrity, patience, and self-control have paved a way for me to assume responsibility and seek good stewardship of the role I been given.

Now... the challenge: what are you contributing? By now means do I do any of the above perfectly. I very much acknowledge that I still have work to do in many areas including the areas listed above as strengths. The cool thing is that we are on an endless journey to become better, to leave more for others, to lead, and to contribute. Again, what are you choosing to become better/improve? What are you leaving behind as a legacy? Who are you leading? Simply put, and again... what are you contributing? 

Be inspired today, be encouraged, and go leave a legacy!

Facebook Post/Thread reveals lack of confidence in standardized testing…

Recently, I read a posting on a friend’s Facebook page that allowed me to look through the lens of a parent/community member rather than through my own lens as an educator and as a school leader. This post resonated with me in great ways. It primarily resonated with me for two reasons: 1. it reveals the public disdain for the over-emphasis on standardized testing AND 2. It shows the truly sad state for which public education has allowed itself to arrive.

Aren’t we, as an educational institution, supposed to instill confidence in our community members? Shouldn’t we push our clientele of students to be creative and innovative in their dreams and aspirations rather than focus on filling in bubbles with a #2 pencil? Don't we want students and parents to look forward ot a week of school rather than dreaded it? Some might say, “One has to look no further than relevant trailblazers such as Diane Ravitch, Daniel Pink, Eric Sheninger, Alan November, Philip Schlechty, and Tom Whitby to see that there are better ways to meet the needs of students.” However, as I have recently noticed… we may not have to look that far, but rather look closely at Facebook pages of our friends- someone local, someone practical, someone pragmatic, someone on the front lines to see that the current state of standardized testing is simply not “good business,” it does not meet our student’s needs, and it does not please our “customers.” Below, I have posted the Facebook thread (with my friend’s permission) exactly how it appears. Subsequently, I posted a solution below…

Original Poster… Since the kids are new to public school, I had forgotten how the world almost stops for TCAP testing....

Friend #1- Ridiculous isn’t it?

Friend #2- They talk about this thing the ENTIRE year.

Friend #3- They spend the whole year preparing for this week. They talk about it all year. I actually think the focus on this test is a negative when it comes to education. Teachers no longer have the ability to be creative when teaching because everything is about these tests. Sad really. It doesn't get easier either. My son is in 8th grade and all year they have threatened the 8th graders with how the tests can ruin high school if they do bad. Crazy.

Original Poster- Such pressure! Get plenty of sleep...eat a wonderfully rounded and nutritious breakfast....DON'T get sick that week......NO interruptions during school hours.....a serious snack schedule that week....cancelling softball games the night before....etc. Man, I'm so scared, AND IT'S NOT EVEN ME TAKING THEM!! LOL

Friend #4- Max is just excited that we cook him bacon and eggs that week! Sad isn't it? Good luck!

Friend #3- Yea, I am doing sausage, eggs and toast this week. My kids think they hut the lottery lol of course the 14 year old is mad he is going to bed at 8 instead of 9:30 lol the 9 year old already goes to bed between 7:30 and 8 and jumps out of bed early with no problems lol

Friend #1- Haha, our TCAP starts friday and since savannah had surgery i looked at the absence policy for TCAP and its insane!! Has to go to the county for approval, etc.. So crazy that im trying to hurry her recovery just for the test!!

Friend #5- Well in KY, we have GMADE testing. Last Friday the school sent home a letter saying the kids would be testing, get sleep, eat a good breakfast , no drs appts etc for the week of April 16-20th Really??? You send a letter home after the tests are done!!

Original Poster- We start on Friday too....ugh...Will be a LONG next week! :/

Solution: collectively put our efforts together in order to re-shape what we value in terms of teaching and learning and make our voices known. A great way to do this is through local technology mediums such as social networking. I have dedicated this blog to sharing these educational reform ideas. Specifically, twitter is a great way to share ideas. I have founded the following hashtag as a way to put minds and hearts together: #edudream. If you have a dream for how to improve education for the better, tweet your idea and tag it with #edudream

What does a firefighter and a teacher have in common?

I recently had the opportunity to visit four local Fire Departments where I live. These visits were meant to encourage the firemen and women who courageously serve our community each and every week. I mean, the last time I checked choosing a profession in which you knowingly run into burning buildings is the epitome of courage! These visits were just a small token of our appreciation. Some friends of mine and I went with gifts of baked goods to express our gratitude. Overwhelmingly, the four visits were accepted with open arms as each department welcomed me and my friends inside to chat, show us around their station, and just talk. The conversations we had that night were blanketed with this sense of stress. At any time the firefighters could get "the call." In fact, two of the four visits did not last but a mere five minutes max due to being interrupted because of an emergency. At the conclusion of the night, as I reflected, I could not help but also notice the other sense that blanketed these men and women. It was a sense that I feel from educators, sadly, all too often. It was a sense of being under appreciated. The final station visited on this night was one in which the station's Captain extended his hospitality to us in such a way, you thought he may have been a concierge at a five star hotel in his former life. He was positive, thankful, hospitable, welcoming, kind, mannerly, calm, and gracious. At one point in our conversation he made a comment that resonated with me in such a way that I felt compelled to share it with anyone who would listen. At first, it seems as if it is just a plain ole comment. But, if one listens closely, it is much deeper than just the 10 words that comprise the statement. "It feels good to know that people are behind you." Shhh... Listen close... If you do, you will hear someone who wakes up each and every morning to give his life for others, to work specifically for his local community, to serve, to sacrifice, to teach, to help, face adversity, to deal with people, to lead others, to rescue, to give hope, and to give his life away if need be. Our firefighters do this for average salaries, for little praise and recognition, enduring too many challenges with the government, and being stretched beyond the resources they can provide and the little resources they are given in order to do the job they are charged with doing. Just like the firefighters who lay their life on the line, I want to thank all educators for all you do: giving YOUR lives for others, working specifically for your local communities, serving, sacrificing, teaching, helping, facing adversity, dealing with people, leading others, rescuing, giving hope, and giving YOUR lives away if need be. I applaud you, am behind you, and encourage you to stay the course! I am with you. #edudream

Is the illiterate growing?

Prediction: the more the educational institution in America focuses on standardized test scores, the more America's illiterate will increase in today's 21st century way of doing things. Futurist, Alvin Tofler, has been credited with the following quote... "The illiterate of the 21st century are not those who cannot read and write, but rather those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Wow! Do we really see the impact of this quote? If this quote is accurate, then we MUST change the way we educate our young people in America. I, for one, believe the aforementioned statement is more than accurate given we are in the midst, and have been enthralled for about 10 years now, of a revolution the world has never experienced before with regard to technology, learning, information and its abundance, education and its increasing irrelevance to students in the United States, and the overwhelming and sweeping changes that have come with how we commmunicate with one another through social networking and social media. We must wake up! It is no longer about test scores, how well one can read, or how well one can even write. Now, do not get me wrong. I do believe one must be able to be a communicator. I also believe one must be a voracious learner. But, communicating is no longer limited to writing. Learning is no longer limited to how well one can read and comprehend a selected passage. I believe our students who display creativity (see Daniel Pink @danpink), motivation (see Philip Schlechty), ingenuity in working with others (see Michael Wesch, @mwesch), an incredible focus and passion for their work (see  Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and his "Flow Theory of Psychology"), and pursue personal growth through learning (see Carol Dweck's "Growth Mindset") are the ones who will reap the benefits of prosperity in the 21st century. Moreover, I believe the educators who also exhibit these traits of learning, unlearning, and relearning are the educators who are relevant to the needs of students. If you are an educator and you find it hard to implement this change in focus, I implore you to start with one simple step: rethink your values. Do you value test scores or do you value authentic and relevant growth in your students? If you value authentic and relevant growth in students, then no longer pay any attention to test scores which students do not value, but instead look at ways to encourage students to learn, unlearn and relearn through the vast amount of resources this information-age has offered you.