Learn Lots!

This post will be particularly good for me as I tend to be an eternal optimist, which means I sometimes fail to consider the downsides of any idea.  Here goes! Is someone else already working on this problem?  If so, how are they doing? School of One is focused on offering each student a personalized education.  However, since their model is based on an algorithm, from what I've seen, students spend most of their day at a computer.  That's an idea I can't get on board with.  On the other hand, the philosophies and practices at High Tech High   seem to match well the ideas I've had, including giving students the chance to explore their own personal interests through projects.  I will definitely be doing some more looking into this option! If others have failed in solving this problem, why did they fail? I believe most charter schools are founded on the idea of doing things differently.  However, from my experience, they end up doing the same...

In my mind, there are two main categories school subjects fall under: art and science.  Art embraces intuition and aesthetics while science depends on logic and reason.  Both increase our understanding of the world and our ability to think and as such, both are invaluable to learning. In any system of education, I believe students should have experiences in both a studio and a lab setting.  The studio setting allows learners to create, receive and give critiques, and incrementally improve their work.  The lab setting allows learners to experience the scientific method firsthand as they hypothesize, test their hypotheses, and record their discoveries.  No education should be considered complete without both kinds of experiences.  Such settings also allow learners to work closely with and observe experts, absorbing the vocabulary and dispositions of both fields. I also believe it will be natural for certain students to prefer one environment over the othe...

According to the reactions I've received when talking to people about my proposed solution, we're definitely doing something right!  My process involved showing people the visual model I developed and then asking them the question, "If a school existed like this, would you send your children to it?"  After talking to dozens of people, I haven't received a single no. I have also received a lot of qualified yeses.  However, each of these have included fantastic ideas of how to make the model stronger.  For example, one person was concerned about the type of assessments the school would be utilizing.  Another wanted to make sure this kind of education would hold weight in the larger picture of education by asking, "If my kids attended your school, would they be able to get into college?"  These comments have solidified former ideas and given rise to some new ones. My conclusion: the premise we're building on, namely allowing students to spend part o...

What does your solution do? It offers learners the opportunity to use their time in school to learn not only about things that that are important to teachers and parents, but things that are important and deeply interesting to them. How does it work? Beginning in kindergarten, learners will spend 10% of every day learning about something they want to learn about.  That percentage increases by 10% every two years until by their senior year of high school they're spending 70% of their time learning about things they love. Why would someone want it? I believe that as humans, we all have an intrinsic desire to learn about something.  And I believe most of us secretly wish we had more time in the day to follow our dreams and passions.  Therefore, incorporating such a model into schools just makes sense. Picture of the Solution

Allowing children to progress on their own level in core subjects and spend time learning about things they love is a great idea and is the direction I believe schools should take.  However, it doesn't take long thinking along these lines to realize this will require a lower student to teacher ratio.  Under the current model, this would be cost prohibitive.  However, schools could more easily decrease their student to teacher ratio if not all teachers were required to be certified up front. I'm not arguing for the abolition of teacher certification.  Instead, I'm advocating for a within-school teacher internship program where teachers in training spend part of their time studying and the majority of their time applying those concepts in actual learning settings. At present, I envision there being at least three levels within this program: 1) those who are fully trained, 2) those who have completed part of their training, and 3) those just beginning their training...

Perhaps this is cheating since I already wrote a post on the pain, however much has changed since then.  My goal for this course from the beginning has been to create an educational system that is truly unique; one that challenges all our current assumptions and ways of doing things, then keeps those that are working and changes those that aren't.  I was afraid that was too lofty a goal for this course, but David agrees that that's what I should have been doing from the beginning.  So, here goes! What causes the problem? What doesn't cause the problem may be an easier question to answer!  What I have seen is that school is painful for too many kids.  Children intrinsically love to learn, as evidenced by their insatiable curiosity.  However, too often our schools work against this natural curiosity and turn learning into something other people want us to do, not something we want to do.  As a result, too many children grow up thinking they don't like...

The Problem:  Students are rarely allowed time to learn about things they love that fall outside predetermined school curriculum. Imagine being a student that struggles in school.  You're not good at math.  You're not good at reading.  Your writing looks like chicken scratch.  Your favorite hours in school are lunch and recess.  But when you're at home, you love to build things.  Now imagine you are given one hour a week during school to learn anything you want.  You could spend that hour building things, something you're actually good at.  Maybe that simple thing wouldn't change your outlook on school for the better.  But what if it did? What causes the problem?  One cause could be that "raising standards" in education almost always equates to adding more.  Many teachers already feel it's difficult to cover everything that's required, which is only compounded by constantly adding more breadth (which usually equates to a s...

The Story During graduate school, I have had several opportunities to take classes I absolutely loved.  The ironic thing is, they were generally not required courses, but ones I elected to take on the side because they sounded fun.  Taking these fun courses during difficult semesters made even my trying classes more bearable somehow. The Idea I believe education should be a mechanism to learn not just what others want us to learn, but what we want to learn.  I believe a love affair with learning is fostered when we learn about things we love.  Thus, I believe educational systems should incorporate time for every learner to follow their deep interests and passions. The Problem I believe that too many students leave school thinking they don't like to learn.  The reality is, many of us don't like to learn what others would like us to learn but we love and crave learning about our deep interests. The Solution Apply the 80/20 rule in school.  During e...

After two failed attempts at trying to capture my thoughts in a visual, I'll just be using text. :) I evaluated the ed tech startups listed on the website according to the things that are most important to me in education right now.  These three criteria and a brief explanation of each are listed below along with the startups I felt directly supported those ideals. Personalized Learning I believe every learner should be able to learn according to their own abilities and what they're ready for.  Instead of putting curriculum on a strict timeline, I picture it as a continuum that every learner moves along at their own pace. Dreambox Knewton Goalbook Serving Children While I think advances in higher education are important, the group I'm most concerned about serving are children.  So, I evaluated the ed tech startups listed according to whether or not they were designed to serve a younger population. Class Dojo Dreambox Goalbook Knewton Non-core Subjects...

As an Elementary Education major, I remember being troubled initially about the use of behaviorist strategies in the classroom as they often felt so trite and contrived, and sometimes even controlling.  Later, as I taught educational psychology, I found many of my students had similar concerns, especially with the tendency in behaviorism to compare humans to other animals.  Despite all of this, I couldn't deny that behaviorist strategies do work.  In fact, they continue to work on me as an adult. Then one day it dawned on me.  The mechanism that drives behaviorism is feedback . As humans, we are in many ways feedback-starved creatures.  In our heart of hearts, we long for feedback about everything we do, from what we wear to how we interact with others.  It is this very tendency that has gotten many a loving husband into hot water by answering the question, "Does this dress make me look fat?" This is also the reason certain activities are so addicting...

Creating a video on YouTube using my computer's webcam was a first for me.  In this video, I explain my vision for education, which is that every learner could get both what they need and what they want out of school.  I believe this can be done not by doing more of the same (which seems to be the current model), but by allowing learners to focus on what they love and do best.  Enjoy!

Overall, my biggest regret in completing the steps for this course was a giant misunderstanding I had about them.  For some reason, I thought the tutorials were the focus of each step.  Looking back, I realize I should have focused on what I wanted to apply as a result of what I learned.  It would have been much better to identify what I needed to learn to make my site functional, read about those things, and then try them out on my site. The best thing about using this method for learning is that I learned how to figure things out on my own.  There are times when I would hit a wall and needed help problem solving, but I feel like I have the resources I need to continue learning and growing as a programmer. w3schools.com I really liked the tutorials available on w3schools.  I was basically starting from scratch to create a website, and I felt like they suited my level really well.  They were straightforward and informative.  The examples weren't s...

Although I prepared a presentation and samples of my design blueprints, I realized I still hadn't written them up as specified in the learning contract.  So here, without further ado, you'll find the purpose, approach, and flow of the website I'm creating.  (The demonstration is contained in my presentation. Purpose The purpose of the website will be to help my husband in his responsibilities as a math teacher.  However, it has been designed to help his students better navigate their own way through the class, enabling them to take control and responsibility for their own learning. Approach I'll be using a variety of design languages to create the website, including HTML, CSS, MySQL, and PHP.  This will allow for both static and dynamic content. Flow The website will include a landing page to orient students and their parents to the site.  It will also contain links to course-specific pages that detail what is going on in that class.

This is my second attempt at a design for my husband's website.  I like it better than the first and I'm sure it will continue to evolve until I'm quite pleased with it.

Here are my attempts at CSS so far. Creating a horizontal menu li{display:inline;} ul { float:left; width:100%; padding:0; margin:0; list-style-type:none; } a { float:left; width:6em; text-decoration:none; color:white; background-color:green; padding:0.2em 0.6em; border-right:1px solid white; } a:hover {background-color:#ff3300;} li {display:inline;} Creating a Styled Heading h1 { font:40px Lucida Calligraphy,serif; } h1 {text-align:left} h1 {color:#663300;} hr {height:5px} hr {color:#556B2F;}

It was with much trepidation that I began my basic programming class this semester.  To my pleasant surprise, I've really enjoyed it so far.  It's such a useful skill and one I'm glad to have a least a basic knowledge of. The resource I've been using to learn is w3schools.com .  They're web-based tutorials that lead you through the basics of various programming types.  The two I've been focusing on are HTML and CSS. What I like about the resource I really enjoy the straightforward, no-nonsense style as it makes the concepts very accessible.  There's also a quick reference of the codes learned which has become very useful as I'm now trying to apply what I've learned to create a website. What I wish were different One thing I haven't loved is the setup of their practice sessions.  Instead of having me attempt to create the code myself, the example is already there for you.  It's nice in a way, but I definitely don't retain as much f...

<html> <head>    <title>Math with Mr. Luke</title> </head> <body> <h1>Algebra 2</h1> <h2>Announcements</h2> <ul> <li>Current unit:</li> <li>All homework due:</li> <li>Test date:</li> </ul>   <h2>Assignment Schedule</h2> </table> <table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"> <tr>   <th>Assigned</th>   <th>Source</th>   <th>Problems</th> </tr> <tr>   <td>Date</td>   <td>Book, worksheet</td>   <td>Odds or evens</td> </tr> </table> </br> <a href="http://www.byu.edu/">Check Grades</a> </br></br> Insert google calendar here. <h2>Resources</h2> <h3>Topic</h3> Insert iframes </body> </html>

This was my first stab at what the pages for Brandon's classes should look like.  Again, I've attempted to program the basic structure.  I'll then use CSS to make it pretty. : )  Although Brandon teaches two courses, Algebra 2 and Calculus BC, I've decided to get one class page entirely ready.  Since the other class page will look almost exactly the same, I can copy it over verbatim once it's finished.

This was my initial idea for what the home page of Brandon's website should look like (minus the text notes to myself).  I'm sure it will change radically as I move along, but at the very least it allowed me to begin creating a basic website structure and start programming.  It will also allow my instructor to better determine if I'm on the right track.

Below is the code for the splash page of my website.  It's very much a practice space as I nail down what I want it to look like and how I want it to function.  I still need to do the FTP stuff so I can get it hosted online somewhere. <html> <head><title>Math with Mr. Luke</title></head> <style> body {     background-color: PowderBlue;     color: #fff; } </style> <body> <h1>Mr. Luke</h1> <h2><i>The more I understand, the less I have to memorize.</i></h2> <hr /> <p> <img src="images/Brandon1.jpg" alt=Mr. Luke width="500" /> </p> Links to other parts of the site:     <ul>         <li><a href="assignments.html">Assignments</a></li>         <li><a href="grades.html">Grades</a></li>  ...

Note: This is another one of my fabulous business ideas, recorded before I forget that I thought it. Before I dive in, I'd like to record a previous business idea.  It came about because of the tool Peter commissioned that enables the creation of non-linear stories, cases, etc.  The business idea was to update previously published educational materials into new formats more relevant to today's learners.  So, instead of having to re-create and rewrite materials, companies would pay us to give things they've already created a facelift so they can continue to appeal to learners.  Being involved in just one experience like that, I've learned it may be more difficult than it sounds.  But, I still think it's a killer idea. The idea for today was to create a company that provides evaluation training and support to schools and school districts.  One of the big issues in education today is appropriate evaluation of teaching.  It's not an easy thing to do, s...

Note: I fought with this one once earlier in the week, but wasn't able to create anything I liked.  That's why the results appear later than earlier tutorials. Altered Image Selected around Kaden Added a mask Added a black & white adjustment layer Original Image

Altered Image Used clone stamp tool to remove table and lamp Added an Adjustment Layer, a Deep Yellow Photo Filter to make photo look like it was taken at sunset Attempted retouching Original Image

Created Image For the first flower, I created each petal separately by using both types of anchor points and some keyboard shortcuts. For the second one, I copied, then transformed each one to pull it into place.  I highly recommend the second option. :) I then added a blue background.  Not perfect, but not bad for a first attempt! I also realized I would like to learn how to add more detail and variation into my drawings.

Altered Image Created mask on original image Put another image behind it Added black & white adjustment layer to original image Applied a clipping mask to original image Increased vibrance of background Note: the selection is not the best, but everything else looks good. :) Another Altered Image Created text layer Added black layer Created clipping mask between image & text layers Added an adjustment layer to original image

Altered Image Created an orange background Used the Quick Selection Tool to cut & paste original images into the new one Created a title Created a text box for each character *Note: I need to practice making more precise selections, (but for something this silly I thought it better to just throw it together)

I've had lots of opportunities recently to think about what I'm all about professionally and personally.  One catalyst has been my "Using Media for Social Change" course, in which they're urging us each to figure out what really matters to us.  Another has been the Dr. Wiley, founder of the Open Education movement, who encourage everyone to find the thing they accidentally think about all the time no matter what.  Drum roll please . . . I think I've finally found mine! The thing that I can't seem to stop thinking about (though I've tried) is changing the way children learn in schools.  I think learning is one of the most exciting human endeavors there is, but few classrooms feel that way.  Public education is a great thing, but a one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't make sense. What I envision is a school structure that allows students to learn what they want to learn and being okay with the fact that that will be different for everyone.  Su...

Created Image Created a pattern called "Metal" Typed the poem Invictus into a textbox Changed title to all caps Used kearning on title Changed color of title & author text Imposed layer on top to create edge

Created Image Used brush tool to create polka dots (The shift key enables you to make straight lines) Used a custom calligraphy brush to write my name Used a custom dot brush to draw a daisy

Altered Image Used curves to adjust colors Used brightness/contrast to increase contrast

Altered Image Increased contrast Used curve adjustment to lighten Used curve adjustment to alter colors

Altered Image Blended footprints photo on top Blended blue layer on top Added quote

Altered Image Put images together in layers Organized layers by grouping them Adjusted the shadows and highlights Added titles to each photo Added a background color behind "The Guymon Kids"

Original Image

Original Image

Original Image

This is a screenshot of how I set up my photo files in Bridge.