reflections on the ncties16 conference
Brad and Drew from Two Guys and some iPads did the keynote speech on Thursday AM. Having viewed their website many time from tweets sent out by people I follow (and whose recommendations I trust!), I knew of them, but assumed much of their presentation would be on devices and tools. NOPE. They reminded me that stories are far more powerful than pushing ideas and resources. Much of what I noted or tweeted out while I listened had to do with the power of passionate teachers sharing their gifts with students, viewing kids as individuals and not labels, and that technology takes a back seat to the influence a good teacher has on his/her classroom.
"The purpose of life is to give your gift away" - Brad Waid
Makerspaces teach LIFE skills, not always curriculum skills, so use it for enrichment and also intervention
“Natural collaboration occurs when we gives students choice” - Pernille Ripp
Why do/did so many brilliant minds think school is so miserable they drop out? Because we don't allow open ended problems... - Kevin Honeycutt
Instead of bending the kid to match the system, bend the system to match the kid!! - Kevin Honeycutt
When's the last time you asked a kid, 'What do you love?" - Kevin Honeycutt
- What did you do?
- What did you learn?
- What questions do you have?
The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions; let them explore & learn! - Chris & Nathan
Look at your successes one student at a time; not as a reflection of your whole population - Lauren Schultz
Is your social studies hands-OFF? Start thinking about how to get it hands-ON
At this conference, we've shared what we are successfully doing with one another... now be sure to share with the world. Let's tell OUR stories on social media and blogs, rather than having the stories told wrongly by those who aren't in our schools day in and day out. It's not for you, but for the kids we serve.