Making It Meaningful.

Project-based learning may seem like just another education buzzword. Every single thing we do in life may appear as a project. Publications, communication plans, and more, boil down to projects. Even things we do in our homes. Part of this process is breaking things down into chunks and working through them along some timeline.

What about in school? Where do we learn these skills? Students appear to be working on a lot of projects, displays, etc., but what really prepares us to complete projects in the real world? These are skills that today seem only applicable in the workforce. What happens in schools tends to be more time filler and not always something relevant or even intentional to a real-world problem. What if students of all ages were allowed the opportunity explore and discover? Remember, not all learning or discovery is earth-shattering innovation. It may just be an individual experiencing something for the first time.

Students at Raisbeck Aviation High School provide just one example of how students are being engaged in authentic and meaningful explorations. Students in this scenario are learning about the math and physics behind airfoil designs. Throughout the year, they explore, design, and test airfoil designs, documenting evidence for why one design is superior to another, followed by a recommendation for what they feel is the best design to meet the pre-determined specifications. They may not necessarily be creating the next generation of airfoils for the airline industry, but they are putting their skills and knowledge to the ultimate test.

In a real work environment, this is exactly how it works. There isn’t always going to be someone standing next to you explaining the next move and why. Individuals and groups must document their processes for exploring a particular problem and be able to explain what worked and what didn’t along the way.

What are some shifts you make in your classroom to provide a more authentic learning environment for your students? What ways do you turn those ‘projects’ into meaningful explorations?

Interested in hearing more about project-based learning from students in the aviation program? Read the original post from Getting Smart and listen to the podcast.

Original Post – Project-based Learning Connects Real World with Deep Impact

Care to join us?

This is just a guess: you’re here (on this link, this blog, this post) because you care about providing great education for kids. Am I right?

I thought so.

So let’s get serious about it. Folks at The Super School Project want to give you money for that. That = The Super School Project Challenge – imagining (and creating) the next great American high school.

If you just checked out that link and your first thought was CHALLENGE ACCEPTED, we want to know because we want to partner with you. We think your great ideas + our great ideas + the power behind Lumen Touch’s technology = the next great American high school.

Are you in? Let’s talk. Email us at rfadenrecht@lumentouch.com.

Did someone say “FREE” ?

Educators: head over to The Journal for a chance to win a 3D printer and a $5,000 grant for your school.

The deadline for entry is November 30 so don’t wait!

Gardening 101: Getting to the Root of the Problem

Dandelions: the perennial lawn maintenance nuisance. It doesn’t take a very savvy gardener to know that getting rid of a dandelion takes more than just popping the yellow top off. It requires attention to the root – digging the whole darned thing out from the ground – to remedy the problem.

There’s a reason that in talking about problems and solutions the term “root” is thrown around even when the topic isn’t gardening or dentistry. Throwing “solutions” at the top of a complex problem will never solve the problem. At best it will mask it or defer the problem for a time, but ultimately the concern will either manifest itself somewhere new or re-emerge again over time.

We know this in gardening, in business, in healthcare, in government. So why are we so slow to “know” it and, more importantly, to act on it when it comes to education? All the data tells us that access to early childhood education dramatically, positively impacts a child’s trajectory of success for K-12, post-secondary education and far into their professional lives. More successful professionals means stronger national and global economies and a more secure future for us all.

Let’s make 2016 the year that we acknowledge the achievement gap in the united States and demand our next president make early childhood education a priority. Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is doing just that. Read more on their campaign to make early childhood education funding a top priority in the campaigns for all presidential hopefuls in the coming elections.

A World Where Everyone Wins

This is not a post about a Gen-Y world where every participant gets a trophy.

We’re talking about about the truest form of win-win thinking. This week Getting Smart shared a story about a struggling school that was successfully transformed by mentorship and investment from local business partners. This program, facilitated by the Council for Educational Change, is one many in the state of Florida.

According to the article:

“Under these partnerships, a CEO assesses the challenges affecting a school and, together with the principal, develops a strategic plan to address those challenges. The CEO mentors the principal throughout the implementation of that strategy and becomes an advisor to the educator, helping develop a leadership team with a shared vision: to help the students succeed.”

Read the full story here. Then leave us a comment telling us what you think.

Are you looking to recreate this success for your own school or business? Contact us for more information on ShiftED’s Lumen8 Assessment and Educator Experience.

5 Ways Educators Can Use Ferguson as a Teachable Moment

Earlier this summer I shared a piece called “Critical Thinking & Civil Argument” on the Lumen Touch blog (you can read it here). In that post I discussed the importance of personal reflection in the face of trying social times and challenged educators to consider how they would be discussing difficult social, ethical and political issues with their students as school resumed. However, I kept things pretty general that time. For one thing, it was the middle of summer; I figured my readers had plenty of time to brainstorm their own executions on my suggestions. Plus, my reflections were sparked by controversy over a celebrity. Today is different. Everything about today feels more urgent.

Although the relentless optimist in me hoped that the anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson would not bring about renewed violence, the realist in me knew it was likely a forlorn hope; and this week has proved it to be so. Yet, in the face of fresh tragedy (for stolen life – no matter race or reason is indeed a tragedy), there is much opportunity for educators to use these events in extremely meaningful ways. Allow me to suggest a few:

Discussion of the First Amendment: Freedom of speech; freedom of the press; freedom to assemble peaceably. Are these rights being upheld for demonstrators in Ferguson? A what point do their actions exceed these freedoms and become criminal acts? Is there such a boundary? What does the law say? What do students’ individual gut morals say?
Discussion of the Second Amendment: How much does this right protect justice or impede it in the current circumstance? How much does this right protect civilians or limit their protection? What does the law really intend for this amendment to accomplish? Is it being executed properly today?
The role of social media and other technology in (this and other) conflicts: In what ways do these influences help or hurt the cause of the protestors? Should bystanders be allowed to video happenings and post them? Why or why not? How does this discussion relate to freedom of speech? What dangers can the magic of video editing cause in presenting facts and shaping viewer bias?
Research and analysis of previous civil rights struggles: U.S. history is packed with comparative examples. Which ones are considered positive or successful in improving race relations? Which ones can be considered hindrances? What factors cause students to label them as one or the other? How do these examples compare and contract with factors of today’s racial struggles? What can be learned by these comparisons?
Statistics, analysis and FACT CHECKING: There are endless numbers to analyze and discuss when it comes to crises like the one in Ferguson. Think: factors that affect violent crime rates or gun-related crimes. Think: How those rates have risen or decreased in different geographic locations, age, race or gender demographics. Think: How poverty rates and levels of education influence those crime-related numbers. And importantly: where are those numbers and studies coming from? Have students look into the organizations funding the research. Are they special interest groups? What impact might those interests have on the information they present?

Bear a number of things in mind if you intend to conduct any or all of these conversations.

First, if you have not already done so (and be HONEST with yourself about this!), spend time in your own personal reflection. There will be questions and statements from students that will require guided, thoughtful responses from you so you must be mentally prepared. That is not to say that you are the final arbiter of the conversation or of student opinions; rather, you are to be the model for critical reflection.

Negotiate ground rules for civil discussion. When is a student allowed to speak? (When they raise their hand? When they’re holding the talking stick?) They must be able to share a reason to back the opinions they share. Articulate the reasons for and importance of these difficult discussions. Discuss conversational deal breakers (shouting, inappropriate language or racial slurs, disrespectful responses to peers’ contributions).

Find a way to end on a positive note. Have students share ways that their findings can be used for good – whether on a personal level, a classroom or school level, or beyond.

Finally, don’t be afraid to tackle these tough topics with your kiddos. You and I both know educations is not for the faint of heart. You’ve got this!

Student Centered Learning

Our intrepid Lumen8ers, discussing 21st Century Learning!

We talk a lot about student centered learning. Not just the education community at large, we specifically mean at the Lumen Touch office. This summer, we have a cohort of some amazing Lumen8 Educators spending the summer with us to bridge the gap between the community and the classroom!

We spoke a lot about letting students own the classroom, counting on them to present to the outside community, and have other be the final arbiters of grades.

Read on for more techniques, on the classroom, building, and district level!

Another Argument for Holistic Approaches to Learning

Today on KQED’s Mind/Shift, Katrina Schwartz shares results from a study by the Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR) called “Beyond Academics: What a Holistic Approach to Learning Could Look Like.”

“The CCSR report makes the case for better integrating aspects of a child’s development using a compilation of developmental psychology, neuroscience, sociology and education research perspectives. By combining insights from each of these areas, the report’s authors strive to paint a clearer picture of how to support development of the intangible qualities underlying both the cognitive and non-cognitive skills emphasized in school, clubs and at home.”

Word of the Day: Teacherpreneur

If you spend much time hanging out on the Edutopia.org websiste, you’re probably familiar with the series on Teacherpreneurs. If you’re not yet familiar with this concept, this introduction is for you! It’s exactly what it sounds like: teacher + entrepreneur = teacherpreneur. But what does that look like in practice? Vicki Davis (@coolcatteacher on Twitter) shares seven ways to inspire as a teacherpreneur. We like the ShiftEDdian nature of her premise:

“As a teacherpreneur, you’re the coach, not the commander. We are providers of resources, not the ultimate source of knowledge.”

Are you a teacherpreneur? We want to hear your story. Email us: rfadenrecht@lumentouch.com or leave a comment!

What will be the legacy of the class of 2015?

In a great Op-Ed for the Oakland Tribune, Scott Morgan, Founder and CEO of Education Pioneers, explains why education can be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding path for young graduates.

Teaching experience can be powerful and life-changing.
After teachers, skilled leaders and managers have the highest impact on a student’s learning.
Leaders in education take on complex and challenging problems, as they would in any other field. But in education, the stakes are higher and the rewards oftentimes more meaningful.

Impact, legacy and the greater good are all important aspects of a career, and energetic young grads will find all of those in education! Read on to find more benefits at the Education Pioneers blog.

Know a young person in education or want to meet some? Connect with us! At avoleti@lumentouch.com.