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Still, and this may be true for many decades to come, most college and university classrooms are designed for teacher presentation; the shape of the room, the acoustical design, control of lighting, lack of sufficient technology in the room, the furniture, security, window treatment, and so on, the space itself screams lecture. Likewise, parent and incoming student expectations have the force of centuries of fixed models about what teaching and learning are supposed to be. Such cultural memes (like physical genes), so ingrained, change ever so slowly.

My point is that students are not asked to focus on their passion and strive to strengthen that as best as they could like often cited professionals like Ma and Lincecum. They are not provided with considerable time to hone their craft like professionals or those striving to be professionals. We, instead, seem to be pushing for improving everything which perhaps leads to average in a lot of things.

Imagine what school would be like if we asked students to focus the bulk of their energies on one area, their passion and strength. I firmly believe that if we helped bring their passions to light, provided them support, and allotted ample time to focus their efforts on that craft, they would show levels of commitment, engagement, and efforts that rival professionals.

Our students need adults to stop being afraid, and stop hiding, so education can get out of the shadows and into the light of the world in which our children live.

were not created to keep students stuck in the past, educated in a disconnected school environment that shares little resemblance to the real world for which we should be preparing our children.

Students can access websites that do not contain or that filter mature content. They can use their real names, pictures, and work (as long it doesn’t have a grade/score from a school) with the notification and/or permission of the student and their parent or guardian.

. I use Evernote for all my notes for school, student council meetings and PD’s. I also use Google docs to help me with assessment as I wander the room too.

Downloading great content from iTunes U and having the ability watch or listen without internet is such an advantage with this device