As the school year began, I came across two blog postings that I thought were particularly relevant to our mission as technology mentors this year. In a August 24th posting on whatedsaid the blogger listed the following 10 things he believed teachers should unlearn.
10 things I think teachers should unlearn…
1. Teachers know all the answers.
2. Teachers have to be in control of the class.
3. Teachers are responsible for the learning.
4. Students are obliged to respect teachers.
5. Learning can be measured by a letter or a number.
6. Teachers should plan activities and then assessments.
7. Learners need to sit quietly and listen.
8. Technology integration is optional.
9. Worksheets support learning.
10. Homework is an essential part of learning.
Although I found each of these ideas worthy of consideration, I found #1, #3, and #8 particularly relevant to discussions we had this summer and last year in the PLP cohort. Numbers 1 & 3 speak to the idea of dropping the thought that we must be the "sage on the stage," while number 8 highlights the thought that technology integration in the classroom is no longer a choice. Although there may still be some reluctance to technology integration, I think the biggest obstacle we face is finding a way to demonstrate ways to do this with the limited resources we have in some classrooms in our district.
In response to the whatedsaid posting, Joyce Valenza, a leading school librarian, posted the following list of things teacher librarians should unlearn. Her list speaks to the idea that libraries should be moving ( & moving quickly) towards the idea of Learning Commons if they are to remain relevant in the 21st century.
A bunch of things I think teacher librarians should unlearn:
- That the little things really matter to those we serve and teach. (For instance, whether or not we decide to shelve Mc and Mac together.)
- That Boolean logic is the best search strategy since sliced bread.
- That Wikipedia is bad, or less-than-good, in all contexts.
- That databases are the only online sources with value and credibility.
- That having a web presence, no–that having a really good and really useful web presence–is optional.
- That someone else is exclusively or ultimately responsible for learning relating to information and communication and search technologies.
- That the price initially quoted is the price you have to pay. (Thanks, Mom!)
- That issues relating to Fair Use are generally going to be answered with the word no.
- That no really means no or will continue to mean no when it comes to issues relating to access to the information and communication tools of today and intellectual freedom.
- That libraries should be quiet.
- That libraries should be tidy.
- That a library’s effectiveness and impact should be measured by the number of books it circulates.
- That your stakeholders automatically will know what you contribute to your school’s culture.
- That a library is merely a place to get stuff.
- That your collection should be just-in-case rather than just-in-time.
- That someone else is responsible for your professional development.
- That ubiquity won’t change your practice profoundly.
- That your library is bounded by its walls.
- That your library is open from 8 AM to 3 PM.
- That there is a box. (to think outside)
