Bob Greenberg in Connecticut sent this video out to a few educators last week. It’s a new twist on an old theme: Are we preparing our students for the future or are we teaching the same way we did fifty years ago? Every time I watch a video like this it makes me take pause and reflect on my teaching practice. It also makes me listen to the voice of Clarence Fisher in my head repeating over and over “Learning Studio.” Over the last two years I’ve made changes within my classroom to accommodate the diverse needs of my learners but also to accommodate the way I want to teach. I’ve added bean bag chairs, swivel style office chairs, stability balls and a beloved couch. I still have desks but they are separate from the chairs which allows for the variance in seating options. Next fall I’m doing away with desks and using tables. I’ll still have a few desks for those students who like to have their own space. You know…the students who like to be an island. But what I’m trying to do is to create an atmosphere for the students and myself to feel comfortable so that we can get onto the business of learning.
I’m certainly the odd duck in my school. My principal laughs when she comes into my classroom because I only use half of my lights because I think I’m lucky to have great windows. I’m the teacher the caretakers hate because my desks are never in rows and they have to work a bit harder to get my floor clean. My class also happens to be the class that spreads out around the school. You’ll see my students laying on the floor with computers in the hallway, sitting in a corner of the library, relaxing on a couch in the family room or sitting in a comfy chair by the school office. The students are generally engaged and on-task. Not to say that nothing ever goes awry but I think that could happen within the four walls of my classroom. I’ve created an atmosphere that my students and I are comfortable with but unfortunately it’s very difficult for others to get their head around. The one difficulty is when a substitute teacher is in my classroom and tries to micro-manage my class. The students are used to being very mobile, choosing where they work (I always have the final say if it doesn’t work out) and who they work with. The idea of choice is very difficult for a substitute teacher who finds it easier for all students to sit in rows, not move around, be working on the same task(substitute worksheet) and not interact as they work. So, what I’m saying is that that I’m constantly reflecting, plotting and planning changes in my classroom but I also appreciate that this isn’t everyone’s way.
It would be great to see classrooms change into “Learning Studios” and teachers to embrace change but that isn’t happening soon. So now what.? Do we just go on our merry way and become the islands in the middle of the school? Or do we encourage others to jump on the path with us? I’m not sure but I know that I’m happy in my own piece of the school and I wouldn’t change what I’m doing for anything.
3 responses so far ↓
cindy seibel // April 12, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Great post and love the video.
In a series of projects a few years ago, it was discovered that teachers within a school did not “pick up” the practice of others by observing but rather had to be supported directly in changing their own practice. Simply seeing great results (which I assume your students are achieving) was motivating but not changing.
I think we require great leadership in our schools to provide embedded professional development for our teachers. This requires creative scheduling to allow teachers who “get it” to spend some time in a support role in other teachers’ classrooms, and for teachers to spend time in the lead teacher’s classroom.
Administrators can also model 21st Century practice in how they run their schools. Are staff notices printed and placed in mail slots? Are teachers connected through the day online? Are blogs part of the everyday learning process for staff?
As an individual teacher, I might look for those colleagues who show a spark of interest and invite them to collaborate on a project between classrooms. Something simple and successful, a bridge out from the island….
Most of all, don’t give up – but I don’t see you doing that anytime soon!
lgatzke // April 13, 2008 at 4:54 am
The hardest part of change I have discovered is action. I do not use desks and have recently incorporated problem based, constructivist learning into math. I am the only teacher with tables in her classroom rather than desks. I now have the LRT asking for tables and our principal is getting them. You are right we can’t give up. As more and more teachers become comfortable with this process, I believe we will see change.
I for one can’t go back and will continue to encourage change.
A comment for Cindy.. teachers being connected through the day online…that is easier said than done. When I am facilitating in the classroom, I rarely have time to collaborate and speak with other teacher online. With 30 students in my class, I am trying to facilitate learning in many different areas, provide mini lessons to move students forward in their learning and meet with small groups to guide their learning. In addition I usually have students staying in at recess and noon for consultation. So if you mean teachers connecting to other teachers during the day, I am not sure how reachable a goal that is. Most of that for me happens outside the realm of the traditional school day (9:00 – 3:30).
techeduk8r // April 13, 2008 at 7:21 am
I can relate to your feeling like an island within your school. I too am one of those teachers who dislikes desks, adds mood lighting, RARELY turns on the lights, adds cozy and funky chairs and the like to make my classroom comfortable. I encourage group work, interaction and run a fairly relaxed, yet productive classroom. From an outsiders perspective it’s chaotic.
I’m a technology enthusiast, but work in an environment that lacks vision or support for innovative educational ideas, technology or otherwise. Unfortunately, too many teachers, even those studying now, teach the way they were taught, never truly seeing the potential of technology in their curriculum. As long as this continues we cannot expect widespread change.
All we can do is be that island and hope a few colleagues become ’stranded’. Maybe, dangle a few tidbits and advertise ourselves as ‘island paradises’ to attract visitors. No matter how we do it, it’s important that we continue to do it, else nothing will ever change.