The Missing W
Oh, what a sight it will be this October. Young and old gazing with tears in their eyes into the evening sky through the brisk Chicago winds as "Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey, Chicago what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today" blasts across Wrigley. Yes, flying high a top Wrigley is the missing W that has alluded Cubdom for a brief 100 years.
With the kick off of the Cubs Convention, it is easy to think this Cub fan may just be referring to the eternal hope that this is the year the Curse ends!
Alas, this isn't the case. The missing W I'm referring to is the critical W in the 5Ws and an H: the why.
As more and more classrooms look to the use of the latest web 2.0 technologies, focusing on the why in the planning process is a sign of best practice and should be the norm for educators, facilitators, and administrators. However, it seems that the other Ws, particularly the what, and how are given the most focus or at least the most publicity.
In fact, just the other day I followed a virtual discussion about a particular tool that a teacher had recently heard about and excitedly wanted to know how teachers were using it. The responses did just that; these focused solely on how this tool was being used with virtually no thought given to why a teacher would use such a tool. In fact, the conversation slowed and eventually shifted to discussing what other tools teachers were using. Again, no discussion of why.
Perhaps the why did occur away from this virtual area. However, it was quite disheartening.
In the midst of this exciting time of change, it is easy to focus on what tool: Twitter, Podcasts, Wikis, Skype, Ustream, Voice Thread, Sketch Cast, and many more. It is also just as easy to focus on the how given the various details needed and the actual fun that goes into such details.
However, skipping the why because of the excitement of the what and how is a poor practice to get caught up in for educator and it surely is unacceptable for those in roles to assist educators in such planning.
I often read about what tools are being used and how these are being used. What I'd be really excited to hear about is the vast reasons why a certain tool is being used in the classroom. Why are blogs being used as the foundation for writing across the curriculum? Why is Twitter being used for study groups? Why is Ustream being used to broadcast a class debate over immigration? Why is a wiki being used for Biology lab reports? Why is Ning being used as a collaborative research space?Why is Voice Thread being used for the oral section of a Spanish final? Why is Second Life being used in the study of a piece of literature?
So, start asking why and start telling your stories with the Missing W included! These are the stories that help us shape the use of technology in the classroom. These are the stories that build support for increased use of of instructional technology. These are the stories I'd love to read about right here!
Obviously, I'm simplifying the complicated reality of instructional planning. The point is that regardless of the approach taken there is a need to invest in dialogue that focuses on why-style points. If not, defining the successful use of the tool for that particular curriculum moment is purely random. If not, the discussions often shift from a learning focus to a tool focus.
Then again, maybe I should just stop writing and settle on "why ask why"!
Comments
Grins -- I will take the bait.
Why I started the NING from my Online Projects......because voices were not being heard that needed to be a part of the conversation. Because I was driving projects and teachers were not being able to collaborate with each other in ways that they should be. Because I am finding out that I can't and should NOT be doing it on my own.
So, I started the NING at http://projectsbyjen.ning.com/ because there is no "I" in technology. But there is a "Y" and that is what we are sharing with each other.
Smiles
Jen
Posted by: Jennifer W | January 20, 2008 7:20 AM
Why do I use a blog with my class?
-To provide for a more authentic audience for my student writers
-To provide an outlet where everyone can be heard
-To provide an easier way for students to encourage one another in the writing process
-To provide an outlet for student voice
-To motivate students
The point you make in your article is a good one. If we don't know our why, then what we do is just fluff. There is too much that needs to be done in educating our students for the 21st century and beyond to spend time on fluff.
Posted by: Julia Osteen | January 20, 2008 2:40 PM
I too will take the bait ... Perhaps I break away from your question a little too much but I tend to see your question as part of the overall discussion regarding a need to transform our schools away from the "indutrial age" methodology of education.
I use many of the tools you mentioned because I believe the National Educational Technology Standards are equally as important as the core subject's curricular standards. I believe it is my job to help students break down the "walls" of our school system and actually teach some skills to actually become life long learners.
I believe that our public schools are afraid of letting our kids learn "skills" that actually do provide the means to learn on their own. Schools are scared because the means to truly become a life long learner often include methods where the teacher and a school lose control over the students learning. Students learning (mistakes) might take place in a public forum and that can reflect poorly on our institutions. Instead of allowing the community and world to become additional teachers for our students, we are too scared that it will reflect poorly on us.
Many of the tools you mentioned facilitate the following standards better than traditional methodology because they allow for overlap of the standards...
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
I ask others to name some traditional teaching techniques or tools that meet these standards as well as their core subject standards?
I watch teachers trudge through the same archaic lessons year in and year out that do not relate to today's students. I am so sick and tired of seeing posters plastered throughout a school that are full of cut and pasted pictures with small captions that pretend to provide evidence of learning.
Finally... I use the tools because they are "fresh" approaches to learning and I think we overestimate the impact "fresh" has on our students.
Posted by: Scott Meech | January 24, 2008 2:42 AM
Forgot... I wanted to link to a good post by Kim Cofino that relates to your questions... Not perfeclty, but it is a good resource and read!
http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2008/01/19/the-technology-toolbox-choosing-the-right-tool-for-the-task/
Posted by: Scott Meech | January 24, 2008 2:57 AM
Why have I gone CyberEnglish? For one simple reason -- my students become self-directed learners, thinkers, and collaborators. These are important skills they will need for a life-time of success. As a teacher of at-risk students, that's what my job is all about.
P.S. I feel the same frustration all of you feel concerning the school system in this country. I am constantly asking myself: "What are they afraid of?"
Posted by: Susan Bedingfield | January 29, 2008 2:30 PM
The why is a great approach. As a science teacher I am asked that often. Now I want students to be a life-long learner, be able to think and work collaboratively with others, and understand information relevant to their lives.
My wiki was to show student work at first. Now it still does that but is used by groups in working on collaborative PBL or authentic assignments. I still have a way to go to craft such great projects but get better each time. I am learning to listen to my students and learn from them as well. A wiki is a great place to do all of these.
Scott's points are similar to mine and my focus.
I am now developing essential questions that lead our discussions, determine our project, and drive our investigation to understand more. It is a big shift.
I am frustrated as well at the lack of change of my colleagues and schools. Quite the herd mentality.
Posted by: hurricanemaine | January 30, 2008 8:09 PM
Thanks to those that responded to this post.
Jen: I understand your position but was a Ning the only way to accomplish this. In other words, I'm still not sure I understand entirely "why" a Ning was the choice here. However, I do get where you are going.
Julia: Thanks for your thoughts. What I really like about your "whys" is that you can use those as objectives and assess FOR learning.
Scott: You raise a broader point but a strong point that is worth discussing. However, I'm concerned that sometimes our broad discussions like these are too vague for school-based discussions. For instance, I can speak about all of those ideas you address within my school, but there is a point where I must speak specifically about decisions being made in the classroom.
Yes, all of those tools can, on some level, accomplish your points but so can a lot of other things. Thus, when speaking with teachers, I want to move past the excitement of the tool and into discussions about pedagogy.
As for fresh, I understand where you are going but I'm reminded that fresh for our students today is old the next. Relying upon "fresh" sometimes means we are okay with pockets of use. I want a systemic change in my school and it sounds like you do, too. If that is the case, will it be "fresh" when the majority of teachers are doing it? I would say no, which means it goes back to sound pedagogical choices.
I know what you are saying, but I draw back to your discussion from a broad perspective.
PS: Great link!
Susan: I would love to hear more about your shift to CyberEnglish. I'm not sure it is well known outside of the English circle but the philosophy that has drived this technoconstructivist classroom for years is what many are pulling from with Web 2.0
Louise: It is great to read how you are focused on essential questions that drive decisions such as instructional choices. All too often, we are sucked into new tools and force these into the classroom. I know I've been there before. If I was still in the classroom, I am positive I would have tried to do this with Twitter and convince myself of the why ;-)
Posted by: Ryan Bretag | February 3, 2008 3:25 PM