It has been some time since I have sat down to blog. I have been trying to catch up on class content and trying out some new technology to get my major digital project up and running. So far it still feels like I’m trying to run in quicksand. So many other, more interesting (at least to me) things, to choose from rather then sitting in front of a computer typing. I have been reading many of the other students blogs, they all seem much more interesting. I have been watching a lot of Ted talks I find Ken(Sir) Robinson very interesting to listen to. I thought his comments about schools ruining students creativity hit the mark. His comments to the little girls mother about her being a dancer resonated with me. I see students in my classes all of the time that are very good at some aspects of the class, but very weak in others. My students are not dancers, but they could become craftsmen. Too many times I listen as colleagues discuss how we are going to increase the number of students going to post secondary education, as if that is the only reason for going to high school. Many of the students that I haved taught have gone on to become successful without going to universtiy, or college. I think we lose sight of the fact that not all students will attend university, or need to, to become successful. There are many paths that lead to success, some just have more twists and turns then others.
To everyone that helped with my picture problem, thanks for the advice. I’m still working on it.
I think the point you are getting at with a number of students – is really how success is defined. In your role in PAA, I am certain you must see students with tremendous potential who pursue other streams like University because that is what they have been socialized to see as success…even though they could be very successful in the trades.
Sometimes they pursue university, and good for them. The students I was referring to were the ones that are not ever going to university, not because they can’t, but because they don’t want to. Often these students have a plan and university isn’t needed. But many educators believe that unless students continue their education, they will not be successful. And I believe nothing could be further from the truth.
I would make one distinction – I would say “formal” education. Many of the smartest guys I know can fix anything and understand how things work – they didn’t learn this in a formal post-secondary educational setting but they have committed to learning things ie. lifelong learners – isn’t this what we are truly hoping for?
I completed the Tom Rath Strengths Finder 2.0 last year as a team building exercise at work. We also watched sections of the video done for an Oprah Winfrey store. The point made in the video was that we need to work towards are strengths, both kids and adults. He reminds parents that focusing on remediation of our weaknesses is less useful that building our strengths so that the weaknesses don’t matter. We can collaborate with others who have those strengths or use scaffolds for support. There were a number of successful professional on the Oprah show, all sharing stories of how they were promoted because they were good at XYZ and now not happy with their management roles because they don’t call upon their strengths. Think about it… are you doing what builds your strengths? Here’s the link to the website. http://www.strengthsfinder.com/home.aspx You’ll have to buy the book to get the code to complete your own self-assessment. It can sure help you narrow in on your skills when you are building your resume!
Thanks for the comment. I too did the Strength Finders 2.0 last year. Social media and this type of class are definitely not my strengths. I ask students and my own kids to push themselves all of the time and try new things. So I thought I would do the same. Thanks again.