Edutopia - October/November 2008 - (Page 7)

Feedback “Teachers need someone who will support them when trying new tools and techniques.” A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME . . . WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION EMOTIONAL AND INTELLIGENT The state of Illinois recognizes the truth of what Linda Lantieri writes in her excellent new book, Building Emotional Intelligence, and shares in the Edutopia.org article “Stilling the Mind: An Interview with Linda Lantieri”: that social and emotional competence affect learning, and that such competencies can be taught in the general classroom. Illinois has adopted standards for social and emotional learning that specify the skills all schools should help children develop. See them at isbe.net/ils /social_emotional/standards.htm. Mary Utne O’Brien Chicago, Illinois Join Us! Become An Edutopia Member edutopia.org ONLINE EXCLUSIVES Sociable Networking New Poll: Do Robots Have A Place In Class? Video: Grading Through Gaming What’s Next Kick Off the New School Year With: Robotics r Netiquette r Media Literacy r Presidential Politics r Character Ed r The New Activism r More The Upside Of Disruption Beyond The Book Fundraising: Mission Critical Classroom As Stage Robot student inspired by Lego Mindstorms NXT, a build-it-yourself kit blowing the doors off science class. See Gear, page 18. + The Edutopia.org article “Twittering, Not Frittering: Professional Development in 140 Characters” is a marvelous overview of Twitter. I ⇒nd it so interesting that many of the complaints about Twitter are also the complaints we heard about blogging when I got involved with it in 2005. It’s all about whom one connects to—it makes life interesting, helps one ⇒nd instant answers to questions, and is a great tool. I’m also using Plurk now, but for different reasons than I use Twitter—I think it will also emerge as a powerful microblogging tool. Vicki Davis Camilla, Georgia edutopia.org 4(% '%/2'% ,5#!3 %$5#!4)/.!, &/5.$!4)/. s !5'3%04 s I teach Spanish in high school. Edutopia has become my very favorite source of information for new technology and Web sites—I recommend it to all of my friends. I just purchased an iPod with the money I earned teaching alternative education, and I love it! I have several podcasts I plan to use for review in class. Vickie Watts King William, Virginia I follow nearly one hundred educators on Twitter, and I have learned more about my craft this summer than during any previous summer. I follow links recommended by fellow Twitterers, I go to their blogs (if they have one), and I go to professional sites (like Edutopia. org) I never knew existed. I even use Twitter to bounce thoughts around or to get ideas for enriching my lessons. I have gotten a couple of my fellow teachers at school to join the fun, but many teachers are not receptive. I hope to convince them that it’s worth the time to meet interesting people from all over the world, if nothing else. Thanks for the great article. Chris Fancher Round Rock, Texas COMMUNITY LEARNING I agree with “Full-Service Schools” (August/September 2008). A child’s home environment is closely tied to success in school: The better we can help them meet their home needs, the easier it is for them to learn. Jean Lim Cupertino, California WARNING SIGNS As an ethics teacher, I’m a bit distressed that it took educators and psychologists this long to see that character education should be blended with social and emotional learning (“Moral Aptitude,” August/September 2008). How did anyone think that you could handle moral decisions through a character-based model and not deal with the social and emotional aspects of the individual? Kathi Black San Francisco, California STUDENT POTENTIAL I completely agree with James Gee (see the Edutopia video Grading with Games: An Interview with James Paul Gee) on many of the points he made. In my school in Scotland, we have just used the game Guitar Hero as a successful context for learning. The game helped improve the transition from primary to secondary education, and the project was hugely successful. For more information, see my blog: olliebray. typepad.com/olliebraycom/2008/06/ the-musselburgh.html. Ollie Bray Musselburgh, Scotland The Edutopia video Creatively Speaking: Sir Ken Robinson on the Power of the Imaginative Mind is outstanding and inspirational! This speech has made me think of where my school system works and where it slows down. It made me contemplate how I, as a special education teacher and family therapist working with parents of children in mainstream schools, can promote creativity and the potential every human being possesses. Mateja Milharcic Slovenia HELPING HAND The Edutopia.org article “Overcoming Technology Barriers: How to Innovate Without Extra Money or Support” is well said! I think Step 3 is especially critical—teachers need someone who will support them when trying new tools and techniques. Steven Katz Costa Rica and the United States FEEDBACK is a vital part of the conversation. Comment on articles at Edutopia.org or write to letters@edutopia.org or Edutopia, P Box 3494, San Rafael, CA .O. 94912. Please include your name and contact information. EDUTOPIA.ORG EDUTOPIA 7 http://www.Edutopia.org http://www.Edutopia.org http://www.isbe.net/ils/social_emotional/standards.htm http://www.isbe.net/ils/social_emotional/standards.htm http://www.edutopia.org http://www.EDUTOPIA.ORG http://www.EDUTOPIA.ORG http://www.Edutopia.org http://olliebray.typepad.com/olliebraycom/2008/06/the-musselburgh.html http://olliebray.typepad.com/olliebraycom/2008/06/the-musselburgh.html http://olliebray.typepad.com/olliebraycom/2008/06/the-musselburgh.html http://www.Edutopia.org http://www.EDUTOPIA.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Edutopia - October/November 2008

Edutopia - October/November 2008 Contents UpFront Feedback Dispatches Sage Advice Ask Ellen Head of Class Cool Schools Design: Lessons from the Mall The Bucks Start Here Go Global: Virgil Rocks Big Ideas: Powerful Learning Mapping Their Futures Heart & Soul Pop Quiz: Suze Orman

Edutopia - October/November 2008

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