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| How To Think Like A Social Instructional Designer (Photo credit: cambodia4kidsorg) |
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As teachers, we inspire creativity and
individuality in our students. We create the framework of possibility in their lives.
Is it a simple task? NO! Sometimes it is a very hard task to get students to
step out of their “comfort zones” and try something new, challenging,
different. This weekend I saw a couple of my old students. They have just
completed their first year of college. I started teaching them their freshman
year of high school as a substitute and followed them off and on as their sub
through their Sr. year. It was during their 10th grade year that I
became their permanent substitute due to the original teacher becoming ill and
passing away. It was a very traumatic year for them. One of the students was
the teacher’s cousin. It was my first time to be in charge of everything in the
classroom including lesson plans. I LOVED IT!! But the most important part was helping
my students create a new framework of possibility. I made mistakes and they
made mistakes, but we learned together. I was allowed to be their teacher from
August to the end of October when a certified teacher was hired. I really
missed seeing those students everyday and interacting with them, but I was
still a substitute in the school and saw them almost every week. Our hearts had
connected. In September of their 11th grade year, their teacher
became ill and I became their permanent sub again until December. I was so
excited to be in their lives again on a daily basis and create a new framework
of possibility with them. I supported them in their school activities, band,
football, baseball, fund raisers, etc. They became my children. From time to
time, I get to see them and visit with them. I so enjoy the big hugs and smiles
exchanged during those brief moments. This weekend was one of them. I was
leaving a movie and 3 of them were sitting on a bench waiting for their movie
to start. I heard, “Mrs. Wayt!” and turned to see their smiling faces. We
hugged and chatted about their first year of college and what the future holds.
I could’ve stayed there talking to them forever, but had to go. As we parted,
hugs were given again and “I love you, Mrs. Wayt! Your were my favorite
teacher!” I don’t think it was because they learned a lot of book knowledge
from me. I think it was because I inspired possibility, encouraged them to create
new frameworks, realizing their dreams. When I think of those students, I
always see the spark in their eyes, “shining eyes,” as we broke down the barriers
the world had given us, dreamed, reached for the limitless possibilities, and
soared. | What is key for Zander's concepts to work in classrooms? |
| How much greatness are you willing to recognize?
Expectations
are mentioned since part of becoming a dynamic teacher involves what the book
referred to as “throwing out the shoulds”. Essentially, it suggested that
conflict resolution happens more easily when leaders shift focus from what
should have been (with blame and denial) to what could have been. While I
agree, I envisioned applying this in my own practice. As a teacher we must hold
certain expectations of our students just as our students hold certain
expectations from us. If this is true, then how can there not be “should haves”
as a by-product of that? Then, like Zander recommended changing the word
but to and, I extend that thinking to try changing the words “should have” to
“could have”. Then it’s possible to consider alternate paths as a reflection
for the better good instead of non-productively pointing fingers.
To
make this work in the classroom, we need to lay clear expectations for specific
student actions, due dates, detailed responsibilities, but when it comes to the
larger, broader outcomes of lessons, labs, and projects, we need to be open to
how it may evolve, implement, and pan out. It may not be as we expected if we
do invite students to act as their own guides more often.
Then expectations of
the teacher would have to include checking to make sure students know how to
develop their thinking and implementing as they work toward the comprehension
of concepts even as its personalized. Checking that those curricular concepts
are hit within the students’ implementation processes or making connections
evident to ensure they recognize that what they’ve done ties in relatively to
what they need to know. (as declared by State Board of Education.)
What is key for Zander's concepts to work in the classroom?
Finally, my favorite, most applicable suggestion
from Zander’s book recommended supplanting the word “but”, which grammatically
and inherently sets up a contradiction, with the word “and”. We’ve been taught
to grammatically set up sentences this way since childhood. It supports a very
narrow, polarized way of considering the world categorizes opposites in a
childish black/white fashion. This in turn lends itself easily to the
survivalist’s thinking mode of the calculating self. This and that, as well as
us and them, are opposites on polarized sides. It is the way many of us have
become used to thinking about things, as if everything is fighting or debating.
I was surprised at how liberating it is to simply
remove the word but and substitute it with and. Then the contradictions falls
away and everything just is the way it is. From there we can operate in a much
more productive manner for problem solving and innovation moving forward. Is
this important? On a personal level I say, yes! On a national level,
considering education has become so political in a dichotomized political
system of perceptions and affiliations, I say another resounding yes!
This week, I challenge you to try making buts into
ands and should haves into could haves to see for yourself, but you don’t have
to-I mean- and you don’t have to! That's what I should have-no could have said
and now did!
Sources
Zander, B. & Zander R. (2000). The Art of
Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Harvard
Business School Press.
Key pic obtained from:
http://www.freeimageslive.com/galleries/home/general/pics/key0001.jpg
Star pic obtained from: http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/light/index.htm
My response to Charlene's Reading Post:
Charlene,
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