Engage, engage, engage, what more can I say about my
philosophy concerning outstanding instructional practices. Actual learning occurs when students (or
adults for that matter) interact with their environment in a way that
incorporates new and old learning. We can only do this when students are actively
participating in their learning. This is
a simple proclamation…putting it into practice is where the fun starts. Public education is making huge strides in
walking away from the “old style” of instructional practices where students sit
docilely in their chairs and wait to be enlightened by the all-knowing teacher
who is in the front of the room. I know
public education has spent a lot of time, effort, and money to make sure that
students are engaged in their learning.
This is not to claim that one instructional technique is better than any
other one (for example, I have seen lectures that are interactive and engage
students in critical thinking). Rather,
public education is focusing on assuring that students in all of our classrooms
have the opportunity to experience meaningful, engaged lessons.
I am also encouraged by the number of organizations outside
of education that are starting to engage public education in helping to meet
the goal of engaged lessons in every classroom.
Many of these “edupreneurs” are breaking down walls between public
education and private companies. This is
resulting in a creative tsunami in the field of education. The wave of creative options available for
educators to “fill their instructional toolbox” is also coming from organizations
that have little formal coupling with education. The “Maker” movement is a good example of
this trend. I recently shared this excellent Ted talk that gives a short overview of the “Maker” movement. I am excited that these types of
organizations are adding to the creative zeitgeist of education. We live in a time where we have the
opportunity to make education a meaningful experience for all of our
children. Engaging our students in their
own learning so they can outshine the adults in creative and divergent thinking
will help the students individually and society collectively.
