Good Advice from Daniel Pink: Focus Less on Facts

This weekend I read A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink. In this manuscript, Pink posits the notion that the future will be ruled by big-picture right-brainers more so than by the systematic left-brainers who carried civilization through the Industrial Revolution and the 20th century. According to Pink, the Conceptual Age we live in and will live in requires a new mindset for those who will be successful, a mindset centered largely on the right hemisphere of the brain. Pink makes an argument that we all can tap into our right hemispheres more by focusing on what he calls the "six senses:" Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play, and Meaning. Rather than focusing solely on facts and information, we must begin to use our "six senses" more and more.

In A Whole New Mind, Pink states, "When facts become so widely available and instantly accessible, each one becomes less valuable. What begins to matter more is the ability to place these facts in context and to deliver them with emotional impact."

While Pink did not write this book specifically for educators, I believe his statement has great value for the next generation of educational leaders. Today's digital natives have access to more facts than any group of people in the history of mankind. So what? Is that really all that significant? It is only if our digital natives know what to do with these facts. For example, how important is it for today's students to commit to memory the country of origin of each of the fifteenth and sixteenth century European explorers and where on earth they explored? In my opinion, not very. On the other hand, wouldn't it be more appropriate for today's students to be able to explain the process of globalization during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, as well as the long-term consequences of that globalization, when provided with those facts about the explorers? Wouldn't we then wish our students to be able to compare and contrast the globalization of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries with the globalization of the 20th century or of the last decade?

As educational leaders we should focus less on the facts and more on the context in which we find those facts. We should endeavor to empower our students to use their "six senses" in their academic pursuits. We should strive to incorporate into our classrooms more opportunities for our students to use their "six senses." Research shows that our digital native students feel the need to create, to tell stories and to find meaning in the things they do. To mix metaphors, today's digital natives indeed have a whole new mind and we must adjust our instructional methods if we are to reach them.

Add Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga to Your Reading List... Seriously!

If you're in education and if you're paying even the least bit of attention to the kids walking your halls, surely you know Stephenie Meyer and the Twilight Saga. The books, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (my favorite of the four), are only the hottest set of titles since Harry Potter and most teenage girls either have read or are reading this series at breakneck speed. It seems like kids in every middle and high school in America are hooked on Twilight, especially the girls. Why wouldn't they be? Quirky Bella and Adonis-like Edward, who happens to be a vampire, are star-crossed wanna-be-lovers dealing with trivial things like parents, peers and evil vampires out to destroy everything they hold dear. When is the last time you saw teenagers devour 2,000-plus pages like reading had just been added to the "things that are now cool to do" list?

OK, so the books are teen lit. Before you dismiss them as merely the latest fad, however, let me give you some reasons why you, as an educational leader, should read these books. Seriously, you must read at least the first book if not all four. Why? Let me explain why every educational leader must read the Twilight Saga.

First, you should know what kids are into these days. Kids, especially girls, are into Twilight like nothing I've ever seen. What's all the fuss? Read them and find out.

Second, you know those girls in your school who don't really fit in with any of the cool kids, that march to their own drummer, that are quirky? You know the ones. When is the last time you felt at ease striking up a conversation with them about something they are interested in? Here's a secret for you. They've all read these books and they'd love to talk about them with you. Just ask them, "Which book is better, Twilight or Breaking Dawn?" Or, ask them, "What is the deal with Jacob?" Or, ask them, "Why would Bella be willing to give up being human to live forever with a vampire?" Instant conversation starter. Truth be told, most of the middle and high school girls, quirky nerds and popular cheerleaders, have read these books. If you want to get to know your kids and build relationships with them, meet them where they are and go from there.

Third, if you know a teenager (particularly a girl) who just really isn't into reading, say, "I know just the book for you. Try reading Twilight and let me know in a week what you think." This works. 100% guaranteed. I've recommended these books to a few kids, all of whom have read the entire series. Remember, these were non-readers. Girls like the books better than boys like them but I have known some guys who have read all four books, too.

Finally, when people start talking about adding the series to your school's library, you need to know the content so you can have an educated discussion and make an educated decision. In my library, I added the set to our holdings at the beginning of the school year and we can't keep them on the shelves. I've even known a student who bought the books, read them, then donated them to our library so her friends wouldn't have to wait to read them after the buzz dies down. How great is that?

"Nonsense," you say? "This junk isn't Joyce or Faulkner or Hemingway," you say? Again, I say, when is the last time you saw a teenager read over 2,000 pages and then get bummed when the reading is done? I see it all the time and I know why they're bummed... I've read them. You should, too.

W.E.B. Du Bois Teaching Workshop

On Saturday, February 28, the African American Studies Department at UH-Central is sponsoring a teaching workshop on W.E.B. Du Bois and African American history. Panelists will address all facets of Du Bois's life, and discuss useful strategies for teaching Du Bois in university and secondary classrooms.

There is no charge for this workshop, and it runs from 9am-3pm. Breakfast will be served from 8:30-9:00. Continuing education/professional development hours will be given.

For location, directions, speakers, and information about registration please visit the workshop website: http://duboisteachingworkshop.googlepages.com/

Making Connections with Skype

I did something pretty cool today. It was cool for me, at least, and I hope it was interesting for those on the other end of the webcam. Before you get any crazy ideas, let me back up a bit and tell the whole story.

In my recent attempt to get connected with other educators using Skype, I came across the Edu-Skyper's Phonebook, a blog-turned-information-repository in which educators can leave their own contact info and/or find other educators' contact info all in the name of educational Skyping. This is the brainchild of Ken Kellner, in the Academic Technology department at The Steward School. Of course I signed in and left my contact info hoping I could make some connections for my school.

Earlier this week I got an email from Ken asking if I would be interested in Skyping with him while he presented Skype in the Classroom: It’s a Small World After All at EdTech2009 in Virginia. Delighted to be asked, I quickly accepted the invitation. We set the date and time of the teleconference for today, Thursday, February 5.

I'm actually attending a conference today at a hotel in Galveston, Texas. For me, this made the teleconference via Skype even better because I just ran up to my hotel room at the appointed time, plugged my webcam into my laptop and called Ken, who happened to be in the process of presenting. Talk about flexibility! Anywhere I have internet access and my laptop, I can Skype.

Truth be told, I didn't say anything profound. Ken asked me a few questions relating to the practicality of Skype and I answered. Basically, we carried on a conversation. For me, though, this is the beauty of teleconferencing via Skype. One of the conference-goers (in Virginia) even got involved and I carried on a brief conversation with her. I hope that today's demo during Ken's presentation opened some eyes about how easy, fun, intriguing and practical using Skype can be. Thanks, Ken, for the invitation and for your leadership. Your school is lucky to have you. I look forward to further collaboration.