Thinking about New Stones

Since the name of this blog is "Setting the Stone Circle", it might be wise to periodically touch the stone (sorry, pun sort of intended with 'touch-stone') to stay grounded. The burning center of my professional being that fuels my work is to help create a (safe) space for my kids to learn. T It is not about the curriculum, it is about creating a space for kids to learn so they can do the hard work of learning and making sense.

I don't "teach Science", I "teach kids" . . . . or should I say, "I help kids learn" . . . . this essence has been my foundation for years . . . . and now being challenged to think of teaching in new ways because of the technology that is so interwoven into our lives and schools . . . . the essence remains.

It is not about the technology, it is about us creating (virtual) spaces using technology that will foster to an even greater degree, our kids learning, collaborating, connecting and making sense.

Earth shaking? Probably not, but just articulating it helps me touch the technology (and implications) with understanding fingers and makes me feel less of technology immigrant. I am gaining a sense of moving from doing old things old ways to old things new ways and even (perhaps) new things new ways.

With this perspective, I find that my view and feelings of being back in the classroom ( faced with a new curriculum that feels very planned out) are quickly morphing into collaborative visions of exploration and connection. How can I use the (planned out) experiences of the Science program as springboards for my students to explore, connect, collaborate, question, and choose? How can I make (transform) common assessments into differentiated springboards for new learning and understanding in the public square?

My sense is that technology will be affording me a chance to take another step toward becoming what I have professed to be striving to be one who truly educates (from ex ducare = to lead out).

New skills and familiarities will need to be learned. Some perspectives will need re-focus. Now I have some new stones to work with. New tools. New possibilities.

But we'll still be setting the stone circle. And for me, that makes all the difference.