Tim Tyson on Kids Making the World a Better Place
Tim is the principal of Maybry middle school in Marietta, Georgia. He has just announced that he is leaving his position and is going to go out and wander the world and work with schools around the planet.
Tim started his presentation with two great questions using the new Promethean Activote 2.4 system with over 200 responders:
"1. To what extent do you truly believe in your heart that school age children have the capacity to make a significant contribution to our world?
A. Truth be told, I really don't believe this at all
B. A few children might have the capacity to make a meaningful contribution
C. Most children have the capacity to make a meanignful contribution"
2.5% selected A
13.8% selected B
76.4% selected C
2. About what percentage of children in your school (or school district) actually did something last year that you believe made a significant contribution to our world? (above and beyone being a precious child)
A. None
B. 1% - 10%
C. 11% - 25%
D. 26% - 50%
E. 51% - 75%
F. 76% - 100%"
1.5% selected A
42.4% selected B
24.1% selected C
8.4% selected D
8.9% selected E
3.0% selected F
So, the respondents generally believe that students can make a significant contribution to our world, but they believe that less that a quarter of them actually did contribute something that significantly to our world.
Read Dan Pink's book "A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future." Listen to an interview on Alan November's podcast sight.
According to Pink, schools are maniacally focused on preparing kids for a world of work that no longer exists.
The big question for every teacher is: "Who is doing all of the thinking work?"
We can't continue school as usual. We must change. This is a time of new beginnings replete with unlimited opportunities, potential, and transformation.
School 2.0 includes:
*Authentically Engaged Learners
*Self-directed Learning
*Project-driven Instruction
*Independent Problem-solvers
*Empowered by Technology Innovation
*Community of Learners
*Relevant
Read "Working on the Work" by Phil Schlechty.
On global distribution: Tim and his staff have created a means for students to contribute significantly to our world. Learn more by going to http://www.mabryonline.org/ & iTunes - searh on iTunes to find over 100 podcasts made by the students and teachers at Maybry Middle School.
Maybry has had visitors from New Delhi, Tasmania, Beijing, Shanghai, Perth, Hong Kong, Republic of Georgia, Tunisia, Canada, Africa, Japan, Peru.
Having a global audience totally changes the nature of schoolwork for students. Most of the projects don't get graded, rather students are provided the opportunity for Authentic Assessment from their world-wide audience.
Essential Question:
When does meaningfulness start?
In K12 education?
In college?
When we get married?
When we work?
Now?
Tim showed a marvelous film on the complex ethical considerations surrounding organ donation created by students entitled, "Making Our World a Better Place." Two of the most powerful statements by of the students were "Now is not that far away." and "Making a movie? That's like learning on steroids."
The second film was called "Genetically Modified Foods: Frankengenes." Perhaps the most impactful statement was from a twelve year old student who looked straight into the camera and said, "The United States is the largest feeding experiment in the world. We are rats in a cage. You and me." The power of that statement, and the manner in which it was shared was not lost on me.
Perhaps the most powerful film exposed the prevalance of child slavery in the African chocolate fields.
Finally, it's not about technology and connectivity. It's more about the contributing to make the world a better place.
What's your next logical step?
Take it.
blc 2007
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