This Ken Robinson talk makes me proud of the work we’re doing with the Civic Mirror and Action-Ed. More thoughts below.

It’s funny because the biggest challenges and hurdles we’ve faced in helping teachers implement the Civic Mirror is trying to integrate it into the linear model of schools today. The program provides so many rich opportunities for exploration, discovery, and break-out activities that the organic learning environment it provides teachers and students with literally competes with the linear status quo. Sometimes so much so that it can cause distress (which is always overshadowed by excitement and enthusiasm).  To use one teacher’s question as an example,

“How is it that the Civic Mirror has me debating Keynesian economics with my student, online, on a Friday night?”

After watching this video, I think the answer to her question is quite simple:

It’s because the school system you teach in doesn’t provide you with opportunities to have that discussion at school … where it be should be taking place and ideally in a way that would allow others to listen and participate too.

Anyway, I just want to shout out to all those teachers, principals, and school systems who want to take part in the revolution Ken Robinson’s talking about:

We’re here! We’re ready and waiting! And if you want to use a program that creates the educational change Ken Robinson is talking about - literally over night - you know how to get a hold of us!

I was motivated to write this post after a student of mine arrived to class 45 minutes late with a note from his mother excusing it because - get this! - his teeth hurt. I’ve heard a lot of creative reasons over the years, but this was a first. This young man will be able to vote in roughly a year. He also likes to skip class. I knew what was up. I recommended that he not show his future bosses notes like this from his mother. “In fact,” I said, “you might not want to show them any notes from your mother.”

I am so grateful that Hara Estroff Marano wrote A Nation of Wimps five years ago. As an educator, it gave me the courage to stand by my expectations and principles when parents came in to negotiate marks or question my intentions. It gave me the courage to say what I knew was intuitively true: “Adversity, you know, can actually build character if we teach Johnny to view it positively instead of negatively. Why don’t we make an effort to show him how a lesson can be learned from this little setback?”

Now a new documentary produced by the CBC has come out showcasing the same ideas. It’s called Hyper Parents, Coddled Kids and it’s very enlightening. To view the trailer click the image below. To watch the whole documentary, click here.

There’s no denying it, we are in the midst of the Information Revolution and historians will be writing about this period of time just like they’ve written about the Industrial Revolution. The rules of the game changed. The way people worked changed. People changed.

Over the past few years, lifestyle and time-management authors have been discussing how - in this brand-new Information Age - our approach to work must change dramatically if we ever hope to experience satisfaction with it. With the endless amounts of articles, videos, emails, blogs, and videos at our disposal, it’s easy to feel like there are an infinite number of ‘things’ we must do in a limited amount of time. This creates stress.

So, instead of paraphrasing what some of the experts are recommending, I’ve included three videos that will help you learn how to develop Information-Age life-skills. The gems of knowledge they’ll provide you with will help to reduce the amount reduce stress your feeling this year because they’ll give you a sense of control.

Seriously, take the two hours of time needed to watch these three videos, you won’t regret it! Enjoy.

#1: Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week

#2: Merlin Mann, blogger about time and attention.

#3: David Allen, author of Getting Things Done

So, Sanity Saver #4 for the upcoming school year is …

Develop Information-Age Life-Skills

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In an earlier post, I explained how I begin all my courses - regardless of the subject matter - with a lesson that challenges my students to think about their lives into the future in order to make what they’re doing today more meaningful. It makes my teaching more effective. It makes their learning more relevant. It makes education more meaningful.

This TED Talk on “Time Perspective” not only supports that lesson, but it’s given me lots to think about - both personally and as an educator.

• It’s fast; you’ll likely need to pause it (like I did) several times to read the charts.
• It’s a super simplification; I’m suspecting that it’s the tip of brand-new iceberg.
• It’s largely common sense; we’ve all thought of this stuff before, but now it’s in tidy tables and supported by academics.

I hope this provides you with some new insights both personally and professionally; especially if you’re an educator or manager looking for new ways to approach your lazy or directionless students/employees … because helping them think about time a little differently could be the best thing you could do.

I know most of you have seen this, but in case you haven’t, this is a good little video full of facts and thoughts on education in the 21st century and digital learning in particular.  Although I don’t think what it suggests would make education meaningful on its own, a good view nonetheless: