Vicki talks about 7 steps to a Flat Classroom on DEN
Other February 20th, 2008
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Vicki Davis, aka the Cool Cat Teacher, both entertained and delivered tonight on Discovery Education Network’s live webcast. The topic tonight was “7 Steps to a Flat Classroom.”
I listened closely to the first step: that teachers need to get “connected” before they facilitate students getting connected. Actually, this is something that I have been focusing on this year and last year. Last year I began the Ning social and professional network Mexico English Teacher’s Alliance :: Web 2.0; and this year a blog for personal reflections and sharing on a more individual level, Faces of Web 2.0, where I profile 21st Century Teachers and share my own thoughts and such. Also got my Google Reader up and running (best tool in the world for getting stuff to come directly to YOU). So, I am on my way. And, as Vicki said …
Don’t eat the whole watermelon (She’s from the South, here in Mexico we’d probably say enchilada). Take small bites!!
So that is what I shall do. And, I hope that you will too, if you haven’t already. A teacher needs to get connected, as the alternatives no longer serve anyone.
Vicki said that her class created teams that plotted (see image below) the key concepts from the books “The World is Flat” with “A Whole New Mind.” I found this to be very creative and provocative. Vicki is certainly out there in front of most of us and serves as an inspirational mentor for those of us “going there” too. Thanks Vicki!
Vicki shared a lot of good points tonight: start small, start with an objective in mind, and then get connected. A lot of interesting terms were offered too, like: mashups, intentional R&D, and wiki + video = flat world.
I think what hit me straight between the eyes is when Vicki said that decision makers (school administrations) have no excuse to not let students collaborate across the district (and hopefully the country and the world). And, that it would “get America in trouble if they don’t watch out.” Sitting here in Mexico, I am trying to understand a larger understanding of this statement beyond the USA. And the other lasting impression that caught me is that students want to be a part of the subjects that they are learning, they want to have meaning. That traditional models of teaching (preaching) are unwanted. I have a video presentation on my blog that states that many students feel that they have to “power down” when they go to school. Is that engaging? … or enraging?
So, thanks Vicki! And as soon as all Vicki’s slides are made available later, I will post them here to this entry.
Here they are!
First step? Do what you can… STARTING TODAY!
Related:
The Flat Classroom Project
Dan Pink interviewed by Tom Friedman
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