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So… my son Nolan is on the IPad the other night with his
friend Evan… using FaceTime, playing games, and talking to each other. I
thought that was pretty cool. Nothing unusual for the times we live in,
especially for younger people. But what caught my attention is what happen an
hour later in the kitchen. I was so excited, I recorded it on my smart phone to
share with a few colleagues of mine at school. One colleague suggested I post
it, which is the reason for this blog.
Anyway, there he was in the kitchen, on the IPad with his
friend, doing his math homework. I thought he was just multitasking. It turned
out that he and his friend were doing their homework together… not copying from
each other, but actually collaborating, figuring it out, discussing their
answers. It was outstanding! They were not only able to talk about their
answers, but show each other how they got the answers… visually.
Keep in my, my son rarely likes doing his homework and
especially struggles a bit with his math . But as the time progressed that
night, he was enjoying the time with his friend, enjoying the experience of
being the teacher and student all at once.
THIS is what education is about… people finding a way to
enjoy learning… getting the chance to be the teacher, not just the student. Making
connections, without being asked or told to! Now, some would say... oh, that's just what they do when they're on the phone together. But I beg to differ. This is not just bells and whistles added to the phone call. This is making a connection.
So enjoy the small clip I recorded, and I challenge all of
us out there to think about what is important. Is it the homework that we ask our
students to do... or is it... helping young people discover how to learn for
themselves. Creating the avenues that get them "wanting" to learn what they can learn AND contributing to our society somehow.
