- “Spot” cc some rights reserved by *János Balázs*
For the past two years I have been involved in our district’s “Lead the Way” project. One of the goals of the project is to provide forums in which we can share innovative and creative teaching and learning experiences. Every time we host an event, we put a call out to everyone in the district to bring forward projects upon which we can shine a spotlight. We are really driven by the idea of discovering or unearthing innovation and creativity. And yet, despite being a large district, it is always tough to find a large number of staff willing to bring a project forward for the event.
In a recent conversation about this, the question of “Why?” came up. Why don’t more staff bring projects forward? The more I think about it, the more I realize we are focusing on the wrong question — the wrong problem. Instead of asking why staff are reluctant to share their creative practices, we should be asking, “Why do we need to ‘discover’ or ‘unearth’ creativity?” Why is it hidden?
I wrote an email tonight to the superintendent with whom I work on “Lead the Way” because I had a thought. A simple thought. And I had to change the initial wording, “what if” to “what will happen when”:
Imagine what will happen when teachers blogging about what happens in the classroom becomes the norm?
We need to create a culture of sharing. Simple as that. Build that and there won’t be any need to ‘uncover’ or shine a search light to find what we are looking for, will there?
Nice post. I think another positive side effect of teachers posting the positive things that are going on in their classrooms is a more positive perception of public education in general. One thing that we really need to improve in schools is promoting the good things that children do during the day. Too often, we read editorials and articles in papers that talk about our "lazy and unmotivated kids"–I feel like the next thing to come up will be how the author had to walk 5 miles uphill both ways to and from school in a snowstorm–and I think we need to show people that the students of today are studious, industrious, creative and smarter than we ever were at that age. But the only way to let people find out about this is to share it: blogging is the way.
Let's all share the good message!
Brilliant point, Cale. Thank you for adding it to the discussion
Shannon
I agree digital sharing should be normalized in schools. So does Dean Shareski. If you haven't seen his 2010 K12Online keynote, you should.
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=610
Thanks for that, Wesley. I should mention that the first, "Why don't more staff answer the call for sharing projects" conversation took place in Oklahoma, where 10 of us attended the Creativity World Forum in November. I believe that is your neck of the woods
Shannon
Good thoughts and question, Shannon. How a question is framed is so important, as well as how sharing is invited. It just might move the project forward in a new way. Build the place to share and join in–inclusive, sharing, personal. Some don't like the spotlight, or to be sought out? It's late–hope I make sense!
I agree, Sheila, about the framing of the question. I wonder if it is realistic to imagine teaching out of the spotlight these days? I know what you mean though, some are too humble to say, "I would like to share my idea with the group". I think if teacher blogging was the norm, this would be one of the benefits — we would all get to see the great things happening in classrooms throughout. There are many other benefits, of course.
Shannon
Great post, Shannnon
One of the reasons, I think, that we as educators don’t “step forward” to share in group settings is our innate sense of modesty. I think that there is a prevailing “the others will think I’m just bragging” complex attached to sharing for some. For others it’s a “yah, well I do that too, what about me?” which, as a Principal who runs staff meetings, I am all too cognizant of as I recognize staff in a “non judgmental and supportive of all” fashion. Others need time to reflect while others are still learning about the art of collaboration (historically, this really is new to education).
However, with regard to all of these possible reasons, technology (and particularly blogging) is our “game changer.” As our own professional learning is no longer limited by space, geography or job title, so too should the way we share “best of” practices reflect this reality.
What will happen . . . when teachers start blogging: they’ll create new knowledge through reflection; they’ll influence the practice of their colleagues, engaging them, to open up their beliefs and practices to investigation and debate – building commitment through group understanding (all of this and a sense of modesty!).
I really liked this post. Teachers do need to encouraged and supported to share best practice. Too bad that some might misinterpret collaboration for "bragging"
Thks for placing the spotlight on this topic