I love reading blogs by others. I learn so much and am thankful for what they share. I recently read a blog post by @web20classroom, Steven W. Anderson, and this post by @bobby__dodd that encouraged me to reflect on a conference I attended today and to write a blog post. I am also reading Seth Godin's book, The Icarus Deception, and in the book he discusses creating "art" for others and "shipping" your art. In this case, my "art" is sharing takeaways from the conference and the "shipping" is writing this blog.
The educators I spent the day with were energized around learning more about personalized learning. Personalized learning is defined in many ways, but at the core of personalized learning is understanding and meeting the needs of the learner in order for the learner to be successful in school and in life.
My three takeaways from today are:
1. We need to stop blaming people for not meeting the needs of today's learners; we have a system design problem. To prepare students for their future, we have to fix the system. The education system of today was not created for the needs of our world today.
2. When educators are talking about the "why" of personalized learning, they are talking about the need for students to learn 21st century skills like collaboration, problem solving, innovation, critical thinking. Educators from today also shared the need for students to be more engaged in school and by meeting their needs and personalizing their learning, we will keep them engaged and excited about coming to school.
3. It is essential that school leaders are involved in this work from the very beginning. Without their support, the system will not be changed. Superintendents and principals must be the drivers of change in the school system.
I am hopeful that through the passion of others that systems will be changed to meet the needs of all learners so they will thrive and be true leaders of tomorrow!
If you haven't started a blog yet get started today and if you have, please share your "art" with the rest of us so we can learn from you!
Some of my favorite blogs include:
Seth Godin's Blog
Passion, Purpose, Pride by Jimmy Casas
The Principal of Change by George Couros
Principal's Blog by Bobby Dodd
A Principal's Reflection by Eric Sheninger
Finding Common Ground by Peter DeWitt
Personalize Learning by Barbara Bray and Kathleen McClaskey
