Open Source Teaching… Because We Are All Learners

by Krissy.Venosdale | Jun 25, 2015 | Reflect

I’m obsessed with the Maker Movement. It is the exact kind of learning I wanted as a kid. I believe it holds promise for truly changing education. It’s not that I’m inspired by all the stuff, it’s so much more. The people. I’m inspired by the open sharing that I see at MakerFaires. I love the sharing of open source software and the way people send their work out to the world so that others can put their own spin on it, make it better, and improve it. I love how people are giving their ideas to each other for the sole purpose of collaborating and improving the world.

I attended a workshop earlier this year and the presenter said, “Please take anything I’ve shared here – we have it all for free download on our website.” And you know what? That’s not the rarity in makered. It’s the norm. It’s the sharing of prototypes of ideas, of brainstorming that may or may not lead anywhere, of tested solutions that might just get even better with a few more heads involved.

What if there was a place, free from ads and selling, that teachers could collaborate on their ideas for using drones in the classroom, for using Legos in writing, for bringing literacy into the MakerSpace. A place where we shared coding ideas for kindergarteners, reviewed expensive equipment we’d bought for our schools, and even had inspiring successes that we’d found in our own schools. Google docs where people could share ideas, download and revamp for their students.

What if there was just one fee for joining… to pay it forward. A kind act for another teacher. Borrow, share, remix, reuse, retweet. For one reason: Because we are all better together.

It’s the kind of giving and sharing I learned on Twitter many years ago. I see it getting lost in the folds of change as self-publishing becomes a huge focus in education. I’m not saying that self-publishing is wrong. I’m sure there is a place for it. I only saying that there is only one way to fix this system… together. We’re going to have to do it together…and have some fun along the way.

So today I bought a new domain name, and tomorrow I’m going to begin building this place. I hope if I build it you will come. Because education needs you and what you have to share. And as the maker movement continues to evolve into classrooms and spaces in schools across America, we can all know that none of us are doing it along. We are all learners and it will be our sharing that will change the world.

Where IS Gifted Ed?

by Krissy.Venosdale | Jun 24, 2015 | Reflect

I grew up going to a gifted ed program in my elementary school. When I became a teacher, I ended up teaching that same program. It was ironic. Especially how much it had stayed the same. And when I say same, it was in the same room, same amount of time, same activities.  Nothing had changed. Well, except the Apple IIes.

I studied gifted ed. I read the research. I worked hard to make the program better in my school for the kids I met with each week. I fell deeper in love with the power of technology in the classroom and the creativity it brought to the table. And I despised knowing that my once a week meeting was not enough for them. It never would be.  I resented people who said my job was easy because my students were “smart.” I hated when people made comments like, “THAT kid is gifted?”  I could go on.  But I decided not to.

I’d go to technology conferences, science conferences, Space Camp, STEAM workshops. I’d always leave feeling the same way — I’d engage in discussions about innovation, tech integration, project based learning, and I always thought – this type of self-directed learning is what gifted kids thrive on – so where IS gifted ed at these conferences? In fact, the outdated research I dug through to write papers in graduate school was all about theories from the 1980s that spoke to multiple intelligences and how some students needs something different. But the innovation? It wasn’t there.

I’d go to gifted conferences and I’d feel the different. The innovation?  It was missing in the air.  And that?  It was a terrible feeling.  Because I know there are many teachers and students who need it.

The current movements for things like Genius Hour, maker spaces, and authentic learning with technology offer so much for all kids, but especially for kids who need to break through the ceiling of “stuff they already know.” I see personalized learning, and I think this IS great teaching- the kind that reaches ALL kids– and I don’t know why we aren’t all working together. Where is the voice of innovation at our gifted education conferences? What if we’re fighting something so hard that actually needs everyone’s voice.

I know there are big problems. Funding cuts. Program cutbacks. Too many arguments about what it means to be gifted and what is good for some kids is good for all. Let’s just stop discussing the definition and start working toward great learning – together. These innovations in education DO offer great things for us all. Nobody owns these movements or theories. They are good, deep, quality learning. The kind we all need. The kind so many kids are waiting for.

What if we’ve spent so long fighting a system that we’ve lost sight of the very thing we’ve been fighting for? It’s a dangerous thought. Especially for those kids waiting to learn.