While out training today–the “burning question” from 1 teacher about her new interactive whiteboard was “what do I need to do to use all my old overheads with the board”—-and, at that point, it was clear that I had failed in the training–they saw only the large projection—and the teacher control.
I was asked in an interview recently what my “core values” were with regard to education.  I was distressed with myself because I actually had to stop and think about how to phrase what I wanted to say. In the end I came up with something about authentic learning and how education needs to be relevant to today’s student but I was also, in the end, somewhat dissatisfied with my answer. At several times in the past month I’ve been with non-education folks and they are horrified at the thought that a 5-paper on “the themes of Othello” isn’t the only way for students to demonstrate their knowledge. It’s a different perspective on things–and brings home how much we must help the general public understand the why and how of the needs for changing the way we do things. Most of these folks aren’t doing anything anywhere close to what they did when they entered the work force 20-30 years ago, mostly because of the way technology has changed their job,  but expect that their children will be instructed in exactly the same way they were, with the same expectations for student product and instructional strategies.
With that said, “what are my core educational values?” The search for the phrasing will continue–because I’m dissappointed in my inability to quickly and easily articulate them.
Spent another day being an “interpreter” today. It’s all of the great things about teaching with almost none of the downfall. I get to help visitors understand more about what they are seeing; they are interested, and there are no grades or parents to deal with.
I can’t help but again think about the way we teach students. The “real-world” learning that goes on outside the panda habitat is, typically, so much more meaningful than what I see in the average classroom. The topic is engaging (what–you don’t think a panda is cute? 
 The questions are based on real-world–and have a “hook” back to prior knowledge (which frequently needs clarification) and the “students” almost always say “thank-you” . How can we capture this type of learning experience and translate it into the classroom?Â
I’ve interacted with some as young as 6 and, at times, they can bring amazing knowledge with them to the zoo–and most are eager for additional information.  This “real-world” works so well for them. How do we translate it into instructional practice?
I am convinced that we must in order to truly engage students in learning. The “cool technology toy of the day” engagement just doesn’t have staying power.
OK–I’ve spent the last 2 mornings camped outside tiger hill at the DC zoo watching the cutest little balls of fur run, jump, growl, hiss and generally have a wonderful time. Guntur, Maharani & Melati are the 3 new tiger cubs at the zoo. They are just over 3 months old–and clearly spell trouble with a capital T. It was amazing to just watch how much more they were able to do today than yesterday. Yesterday jumping from level to level in the habitat was out of the question. Today 2 of the 3 cubs managed to do it at least once (it was more of a ‘controlled fall” than a jump) and two of the successfully scrambled up a level using the rocks rather than the ladders at the sides. Their intelligence was plain to see. What made it even more interesting was the chance to talk with multiple photographers, folks who have been shooting at the zoo for years, who patiently stood beside me, answered my questions and told me the history of the tigers. These are folks who identify both the animals and the keepers by first name and understand the nature of the animals and look to capture their magnificence. The respect they hold for the animals and the work of the zoo was clear in everything they said. Several of them are part of the FONZ Photo club,which meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the zoo–and I will be joining them this month. My tigers pix are posted here; but they aren’t all up yet—I’ve told myself that I have some office work to finish before I spend 1 more minute playing with photos–so what am I doing instead? Writing here….