Drawing Connections
"Beyond the facts lies knowledge." In this interactive session, we will be exploring an innovative technique to draw connections among various pieces of information represented as digital media transforming facts to knowledge.
Creative thinking within a classroom is a rare commodity and does not happen without creating an environment that fosters innovation. This session will examine what it takes to setup, develop and maintain a classroom of students willing to take intellectual risks and push their knowledge comfort zone.
Promo
Online
My Passion
- creativity
- collaboration
- story
Mr. Chao & the Curly Haired Boy
Mr. Chao, a middle school math teacher, has made an impact. One day, after passing back the graded homework assignments, a curly haired boy approached Mr. Chao and said, "I did not get my homework back - I turned it in yesterday." Mr. Chao replied, "I thought I passed back all of the papers that I received, but we can look into this a bit more after class."
With that the boy returned to his seat and Mr. Chao addressed the class. "Before we begin today's lesson, I want to tell you a story. Whenever I take my car in for service, I am careful to explain exactly what I want them to do. And I tell them that is all I want them to do, nothing more."
"The other day, I went to pick up my care from getting an oil change. Like always, I check under the hood before paying. 'Why did you look at the fuel injector?', I asked the mechanic. He replied that he didn't, but I explained to him 'Before take my car in for service, I always memorize the position of the heads of the bolts in the engine, and those for the fuel injection are not as they were when I brought the car in. The mechanic sheepishly admitted to looking at the fuel injection system to see if it needed servicing."
To most of the class, this was an interesting story mainly for it confirmed their belief that Mr. Chao was eccentric and for it wasted some class time. But I doubt any of them remember it today. However, for the curly hair boy, the message was clear and I can personally attest to the impact this story has had on that boy. It has never left him.
Fox and the Grapes (by Aesop)
A fox, feeling very hungry, made his way to a vineyard near by, where he knew he would find a plentiful supply of grapes.
The season had been a good one, and he licked his lips when he saw the huge bunches hanging from the vine.
His joy was short-lived, however, for, try as he would, the grapes were just out of his reach.
At last, tired by his vain efforts, he turned away in disgust, remarking: "Anyone who wants them may have them for me. They are to green and sour for my palate; I would not touch them even if they were given to me."
Connections
Both of these stories have lasted over time, albeit the latter for 2500 years while the former only 30 years and for only for myself. Why have these stories lasted? What has made them "sticky"? What can we learn from this?
Insight "Games"
- Queen Anne's Picnic
- car - hotel - bankrupt
Thoughts on Education
- Michael Schrage - Keynote address - Distance Learning 2005
- Father Guido Sarducci - "Five Minute University"
- Sir Ken Robinson - TED 2006
- Taylor Mali - "What Teachers Make"
Icons
- Television in the 50's
- Jackie Robinson
- Elvis Presley
- Amelia Earhart
Persuasion
- Abilene - 52
- GabGab - 52
- Issues - 60
- Pride - 84
Influence
- "Medici Effect" by F. Johansson
- "Made to Stick" by C. Heath & D. Heath
- "A Whole New Mind" by D. Pink
"... we'll be seeking answers not just from the sources you might expect, but by bringing together multiple voices from very different disciplines. The 'aha' moments often come from the most unexpected connections." TED2008
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating process, giving birth to evolution." Einstein
Concluding Remark
"The starting point for a creative education is the teacher's passion - for their subject, their job, their students, and for education itself."
Study in ... Journal suggests that while technology can help make teachers better, it is the teachers passion and commitment to their craft that best indicates their success in the classroom.
DrawingConnectionsIntroduction
Groups and Progressions
Homework
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