Whispering Change

Is the sun beginning to set on a cumbersome educational landscape? One that is too rigid to quickly adjust to what leaners need and what they want from the future. A system that looks on as grass roots spread wider and wider beneath it.

I am in revolutionary mood as I return from some inspiring conversations with people at #BectaX.

Can those of us who recognise the need for change, rise above the cynicism? Rise above the barriers and the blocks. Let us be determined and positive, and make change happen in small ways, where we are, where we can.

Perhaps it is wrong of us to ever have believed this change will occur from policy. I am sure you are like me in that you have never waited for policy to define your practice. Each of us has a certain amount of influence, an ability to change 1 or 5, 30 or even 500 students’ experiences of school. If we believe it should be done, we need to make it happen in every small way we can.

I have stood in a room with hundreds of people whispering. It is very loud.

If we all make a small contribution, a small effort of change – if we all whisper, our voices will be heard. Here are some whispers:

1. Talk to your students, to your classes about technology. Find out how they use it at home and what they enjoy. Plan to do it again soon.
2. Take what you find out (formally or informally) to someone else in your institute. Better still get your students to explain it.
3. Show someone how you use Twitter or other online tools to connect with teachers. Do it as often as you can.
4. Write a blog post about your ideas. (Or even start a blog for your ideas!) Share your experiences, frustrations, successes and hopes for your work.
5. Share an interesting blog post you have seen with someone who may never see it.
6. Ask on your blog or on Twitter for other schools to connect with. Share the process with your class and give them an insight into what is happening at schools in other countries.
7. Help someone on Twitter by retweeting a request for assistance. You never know where that ripple will stop.
8. Let your children or students teach you how to use something.
9. Find ways to help parents better understand what you do in school and how their children are using technology.
10. Find out what your students think of blocking websites. What do they think is “safe” internet use.
11. Consider managing your own internet filtering. At least have the conversation.
12. Ask your local authority to unblock useful websites. Keep asking.

Whatever form your whisper takes, raise your voices. We are louder together.

IMG_9566.JPG by fabola – Attr-NonCom-NoDerivs Lic