Now when I say new, I really mean" new to me" as I know most of these ideas have been around and have just now come to my attention. Plus who knows if someone around the world has had the same thought?
Hence - the dandelion metaphor. An idea is like the a dandelion ready to shed it's seeds to the wind and find a place to take root and grow. The Internet is like the wind that could spread that idea to all parts of the world. The question is like the first gust or the person who picks up the dandelion to blow the seeds into the wind.
It stems from one of the issues I think is holding education back from transforming - the report card. It's a classic symbol of the traditional framework.
The question? Now don't get me wrong, communicating achievement to parents is essential and a very integral piece of education, but can there be another way to do this?
So I got to thinking about information and how people get it these days. In today's world, information can be delivered right to you via RSS. So that's the first part of the equation.
Second, I got to thinking about how one produces information these days - wikis, blogs. And who produces this information? Anyone - including kids!
So my question - why can't there be a reporting system where students and teachers document their learning and then communicate this to parents - right when that learning happens!
Just think - you've just finished a meeting at work and are thinking about your child - you spent an hour studying for the science test the night before - you get a video text - it's your child letting you know that they passed their test and tells you a little bit more about how a green roofs are eco friendly. I'd love to hear more from my daughter than she had a good day at school today.
The gust? 1, 2, 3 - whoosh
So if you know somebody who knows somebody who might want to take this idea a little further, please repost or send it to them - I'd like to meet that person one day and talk.
Sounds great! I think the challenge will be to educate parents and get them on board. I attended a school board meeting last year, in which parents were in an uproar because they thought our district was getting rid of grades. Unfortunately, most high schools and colleges are not as progressive with assessments and grades. It concerns some parents that we are not preparing our learners for those situations.
ReplyDeleteWhile I may not agree with this, I think it is going to take a shift in thinking. From a teachers perspective, I think a student portfolio or some form of immediate communication would give parents a better picture of their child's learning and understanding than a letter on a report card. Does a letter on a report card show creativity, imagination, innovation, collaboration, etc.? Is it fair to the learner to have a letter represent all their work and effort?