Do you encourage others to migrate from passive to active learning?

If so...what are some of your best practices? If not...why not?

I know there is not a one answer fits all but I know there are people with success stories on helping others adopt some type of active learning and I know there are those people who continue to perpetuate passive acceptance. 

In 2009, one of the many reading assignments I completed a chapter opened with this quote from Bertrand Russel (18 May 1872 – 2 February 1970):

Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than the pupils; it is moreover the way to win the favour of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one later in life. It causes man to seek and accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position.

Quotes from Thinkexist:

It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski

Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children & not for the education of all adults of every age? Erich Fromm

It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. Albert Einstein 

You may enjoy these posts:

Were you taught passive acceptance?

What are you really teaching? learning? sharing? 

Change, Passive Acceptance, DoD CFL, and RttT in Richmond County

Responses, comments, recommendations, and reaction box checks are always welcome!

Change, Passive Acceptance, DoD CFL, and RttT in Richmond County

It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


In September 2010, I did a blog post on the DoD Computers for Learning Program and Executive Order 12999 and the article about former RCSS Superintendent, Dr. Bedden warning of a tech crisis in RCSS in 2008. As I transitioned back to Augusta, GA and assessed the situation I was returning to from family to community along with the upcoming elections I was curious as to how many people knew about the DoD Computers for Learning Program and why weren't all of our schools registered.


Along with a blog post, I emailed our 10 Richmond County School Board Members, those running for school board positions, some media contacts, and a couple of the PTA/PTSA newsgroups I am still connected with to see if there would be any response. I received one response...from one school board member and here it is:


I referred your email to our Instructional Technology Dept. They got back to me about this. Although we have gotten computers donated from this program, we do incur expenses in upgrading them as well as the time of our technology specialists to do this. Also, the State Dept of Education has changed standards and requirements in order to have all computers on a modern basis. The part of the SPLOST funds which can be used for technology is helping get all schools' computers on a modern basis. This would help with parts, software, and the time of our technology specialists which we are short on. (Personal communication, October 31, 2010)


I thanked this board member for their response and stated as a recipient of $16.6 million of the Race to the Top funds that the GA Department of Education has dedicated to the Richmond County School System, the least that I can expect is that our schools are registered in this program. Because I have been in the schools as a substitute teacher, volunteer, parent, taxpayer, and an involved community member I know the disconnects between what the board believes is going on technology wise in our schools to classrooms that lack technology or educators who have the technology but do not use it for whatever reason...and of course the ban of cell phones and social media.


Additional links:
Richmond County schools to get $16.6 million in Race To Top funds Federal Race to the Top grant money will go to Richmond County over 4 years (Augusta Chronicle, October 4 2010)
Georgia Wins Race to the Top (GA Department of Education, August 24, 2010)
New school code restricts social media options Effort aims to address bullying problems (Augusta Chronicle, July 17, 2010)
Richmond County School Systems eBoard Solutions


I thought there would be more progress while I was away from Augusta, GA for two years...but it appears that passive acceptance is still the accepted norm. 


It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


Comments and checks in the Reaction Boxes are always welcome!

TPACK, GAEE, and data dump from 2 weeks of intense assignments

Learning about Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework has been enlightening for me as I visit the many sites created and maintained by Dr. Punya Mishra & Dr. Matthew Koehler  the TPACK wiki,  TPACK 101, All things TPACK, collaborative and separate projects, publications, and shared information. 


What are the opportunities to observe, measure, inquire about TPACK in schools that have integrated Google Apps Education Edition beyond NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception and Prince George's County Public Schools PGCPS has been Googlized and Oregon Department of Education announcement for statewide option for GAEE? While Mishra & Koehler continue to provide TPACK learning opportunities in higher education, what about the TPACK levels of those involved in schools that adopt Google Apps Education Edition or when students become the teachers?


Just a few links from my Internet connections and RSS feeds:
Drape's Takes When Students Become Teachers Become Students 
Sylvia Martinez Generation YES Students teach tech to Superintendents
Fred Wilson A VC in NYC Let The Students Teach
Vicki Davis Cool Cat Teacher Teach Students to Teach Themselves
Edutopia Students Teach Technology to Teachers
Project Tomorrow Students Speak Up 
Pew Internet & American Life Projects Technology User Types
PBS. Digital Nation How Google Saved a School
NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception (2009)
NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception (2010)


I tend to learn something from everything and everyone I encounter...good, bad, or indifferent but in the world where the arguments still continue about who is in charge, who is in control, while budgets are being cut not just in education but also in technology (and other career fields), many educational and learning sites are blocked, and many schools still lack basic technology...learning is still taking place. Can you imagine graduating high school in 2010 and never accessed the Internet to learn? Well it is still a reality.


The 2010 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), 2004 NETP and other NETP archives are available through the net, what are the lessons learned? What lessons learned are in available in the practical application? For the educators, technology integrationists, students, self directed learners and many individuals who are returning to higher education and continue to share knowledge, a heartfelt thanks from this lifelong learner. While I cannot thank everyone in my P⁴LN*, know that whatever you post in cyberspace may impact a learner somewhere, sometime, and/or somehow.


After an intense 2 weeks of research and homework I just needed to post some of the ideas that have resurfaced as I review and assess the reasons why I am on this doctoral journey and compare, contrast, and align information while trying to maintain priorities and responsibilities of life beyond being a student. 


So is anyone researching TPACK in schools that have implemented Google Apps Education Edition?


Comments, recommendations, or checks in the reaction boxes are welcome.


P⁴-Personal, Professional, Perpetual, Persistent


Related posts:
Consolidating References (09/2009) 
Consolidating More References (11/2009)
Research Topic Ideas (10/2009) 

Reflection with some HS grads and how do we...

What have you done to break the cycle of passive acceptance?

When I returned to Augusta for a visit, some of my daughter's friends stopped by to check on G Mama Flo who was injured in a car accident and catch up on what we all have been doing.

I miss working with the students who I have so much hope for because they are our replacements and we relate on so many issues. Many of them were home for the holidays and stopped in to visit their former high schools and noticed many changes, from educators who have moved on to their personal diverse perspectives as alumni.

It was great to hear about those who have moved on to successful college experiences, military, or internships and to hear their hopes and dreams and those who have remained in Augusta and have fallen into what I call the "Disgusta Depression." Some of them had so many hopes and dreams during high school...plans for college, travel, fulfilling jobs and they seem to have petered out. It hurts my heart...because I left Augusta...for many reasons from focusing on my own educational endeavors and the dissertation process, career progression, experience life as an empty nester, and to fulfill a need to move every few years that became ingrained during my military career.

So how do we help them to break the cycle of passive acceptance? How do we empower these former students who seem to have lost their zest for life challenges, hopes, and dreams?

Were you taught Passive Acceptance?

One of the many reading assignments I have this week opens a chapter with this quote from Bertrand Russel (18 May 1872 – 2 February 1970):

Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than the pupils; it is moreover the way to win the favour of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one later in life. It causes man to seek and accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position.

Some students never overcome their learned passive acceptance, whether the environment was a brick and mortar classroom or part of a lifelong learning journey. How did you overcome your teacher / parent / mentor / influencer taught passive acceptance?

Did you have an influencer in your life that taught you to question authority, research a topic until the topic is dissected, or is passive acceptance an accepted norm?

How do you help others overcome their passive acceptance? How do parent / community involvement projects and programs help others empower themselves? How do we teach others to question sources of information and seek the variety of perceptions?

As we enter 2009, how will you overcome any personal passive acceptances you may have acquired over the years?