Comments for The Civic Fabric http://thecivicfabric.org Thoughts From the Stair Stepper Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:18:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Innovation Zones in Education and Government by Colleen http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/10/14/innovation-zones-in-education-and-government/#comment-123 Colleen Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:18:44 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=887#comment-123 As a teacher in private higher education and a contractor in both public and private schools my loudest comment is STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT when innovating with technology. Technology is amazing because it takes us out of a century long old box that never worked for half of us very well anyway. Fresh approach to experiencing all the things that many of us were forced to imagine from static pages. That said, implementation is key--- I am bewildered by the seduction of all the electronic devices for our youth (and adults for that matter) filled with nothing so the default for no content and no training to create good content is GARBAGE! Education's inability to recognize, address, validate, fund, train, support and structure the healthy use of technology is leaving our children to be educated by consumerism and pop culture instead of quality learning, depth, compassion and critical thinking - all great things we could offer as educators through the use of technology. I see our children already plugging into technology- these are not only rich children. The children that I educate with more electronic devices to charge in the computer lab go to a school with a 50% drop out rate and are more than 70% below the poverty line. Why are we as a society not channeling that enthusiasm, obsession, neurosis... and educating through it. Why are we not filling halls with teachers and training, structuring and innovating methodology through the communication tools our learners cannot put down? Let's start with motivation.... all good innovation zones can be drawn from there. Thanks for your blog As a teacher in private higher education and a contractor in both public and private schools my loudest comment is STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT when innovating with technology. Technology is amazing because it takes us out of a century long old box that never worked for half of us very well anyway. Fresh approach to experiencing all the things that many of us were forced to imagine from static pages. That said, implementation is key— I am bewildered by the seduction of all the electronic devices for our youth (and adults for that matter) filled with nothing so the default for no content and no training to create good content is GARBAGE! Education’s inability to recognize, address, validate, fund, train, support and structure the healthy use of technology is leaving our children to be educated by consumerism and pop culture instead of quality learning, depth, compassion and critical thinking – all great things we could offer as educators through the use of technology. I see our children already plugging into technology- these are not only rich children. The children that I educate with more electronic devices to charge in the computer lab go to a school with a 50% drop out rate and are more than 70% below the poverty line. Why are we as a society not channeling that enthusiasm, obsession, neurosis… and educating through it. Why are we not filling halls with teachers and training, structuring and innovating methodology through the communication tools our learners cannot put down? Let’s start with motivation…. all good innovation zones can be drawn from there. Thanks for your blog

]]> Comment on Innovation Zones in Education and Government by Cathy Dietlin http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/10/14/innovation-zones-in-education-and-government/#comment-122 Cathy Dietlin Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:48:48 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=887#comment-122 Hello, John, once again your “mighty pen” wrote a fantastic article! Each time you write I am greatly enlightened. Too bad we could not just “start over” with a new beginning and move forward as a public system. Yes, the pockets of charter and private options do allow for inspiration. Thank you for taking time to write. As frustrating as the “entity” may be, your observations do give hope. Have a good week. CED Hello,

John, once again your “mighty pen” wrote a fantastic article!

Each time you write I am greatly enlightened. Too bad we could not just “start over” with a new beginning and move forward as a public system. Yes, the pockets of charter and private options do allow for inspiration.

Thank you for taking time to write. As frustrating as the “entity” may be, your observations do give hope.

Have a good week.

CED

]]> Comment on Innovation Zones in Education and Government by Mary-Scott Cebul http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/10/14/innovation-zones-in-education-and-government/#comment-121 Mary-Scott Cebul Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:41:21 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=887#comment-121 John – I just read this post and am looking forward to working with you on EGN. Chris T. has told me that our thoughts regarding the potential use of virtual realities and “serious games” to advance governance change are quite parallel. In fact, back during the Voices & Choices project I spoke a couple times with Ben Thompson … just to get a sense of the cost of developing a regional governance game along the lines of a “University”- type game. Half a million dollars – but times (and software) have really changed. So who knows? John – I just read this post and am looking forward to working with you on EGN. Chris T. has told me that our thoughts regarding the potential use of virtual realities and “serious games” to advance governance change are quite parallel. In fact, back during the Voices & Choices project I spoke a couple times with Ben Thompson … just to get a sense of the cost of developing a regional governance game along the lines of a “University”- type game. Half a million dollars – but times (and software) have really changed. So who knows?

]]> Comment on Non-formal Education Institutions – A New Model for Educational Programming for Cleveland 2008 by sandrar http://thecivicfabric.org/2008/08/27/non-formal-education-institutions-a-new-model-for-educational-programming-for-cleveland-2008/#comment-77 sandrar Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:07:50 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=52#comment-77 Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post... nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R. Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

]]> Comment on Public Schools and Private Auto Companies by John http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/06/14/public-schools-and-private-auto-companies/#comment-120 John Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:26:30 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=861#comment-120 Thanks Chris In some ways, your story is similar to far too many across the State and nation. I am working with the local media to do more to cover the issue of poor educational quality. I firmly believe that most teachers want to do a good job. I would surmise that board members want to do the same. We have to find a way to inform these people that there is a better way of doing "education." Technology will not replace good teaching - ever, but it can help teachers overcome barriers that result in some kids failing or loosing their joy of learning far too early. It is the job of leaders like yourself to band with others to broaden the horizon to what is possible. Once they see it and "get it" most will rise to the challenge. As a former Marine, you probably understand more than me that these are the essential qualities of a good leader! Thanks for the post. Thanks Chris
In some ways, your story is similar to far too many across the State and nation. I am working with the local media to do more to cover the issue of poor educational quality. I firmly believe that most teachers want to do a good job. I would surmise that board members want to do the same. We have to find a way to inform these people that there is a better way of doing “education.” Technology will not replace good teaching – ever, but it can help teachers overcome barriers that result in some kids failing or loosing their joy of learning far too early. It is the job of leaders like yourself to band with others to broaden the horizon to what is possible. Once they see it and “get it” most will rise to the challenge. As a former Marine, you probably understand more than me that these are the essential qualities of a good leader! Thanks for the post.

]]> Comment on Public Schools and Private Auto Companies by Chris Romano http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/06/14/public-schools-and-private-auto-companies/#comment-119 Chris Romano Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:18:09 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=861#comment-119 This is a really nicely done comparison. Sadly, I think your analysis would be lost on my local school boards (there are 3 in my town of just 60,000). They are so steeped in steeple-building, self-preservation and rarely do much in the way of thoughtful reflection or planning beyond the next tax levy. I wish I could compel them to read this. This is a really nicely done comparison. Sadly, I think your analysis would be lost on my local school boards (there are 3 in my town of just 60,000). They are so steeped in steeple-building, self-preservation and rarely do much in the way of thoughtful reflection or planning beyond the next tax levy. I wish I could compel them to read this.

]]> Comment on Innovation Districts – An Exciting Initiative to Transform Education in the State of Ohio by John http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/06/08/innovation-districts-%e2%80%93-an-exciting-initiative-to-transform-education-in-the-state-of-ohio/#comment-118 John Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:09:41 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=816#comment-118 The New York Times today covered a story of a Connecticut School District that has abandoned textbooks for Algebra. Way to Go!! More districts a can and should explore the same. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/education/08math.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y The New York Times today covered a story of a Connecticut School District that has abandoned textbooks for Algebra. Way to Go!! More districts a can and should explore the same.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/education/08math.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

]]> Comment on Can P-16 Compacts usher Innovation Districts for Education? by Jeff Jaroscak http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/04/14/can-p-16-compacts-usher-innovation-districts-for-education/#comment-117 Jeff Jaroscak Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:32:58 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=715#comment-117 I'm a big fan of innovation. I even like innovation for innovation's sake. My motto, in fact, has always been "If it's not broke, break it." It strikes me however, that in terms of public education, innovation should be the vehicle not the destination. The problem as I see it is that we lack consensus about what we want for our students. Rest assured that there are many citizens who yearn for the "good old days." I think it would be popular indeed to roll out a "Back to Basics" program that emphasizes the diagramming of sentences and copying of spelling words five times each. I think that a clear target in terms of what we want for our students is much more important than how we get there. In your work with OGF, how did you come across the student outcomes that you included in the report? I’m a big fan of innovation. I even like innovation for innovation’s sake. My motto, in fact, has always been “If it’s not broke, break it.” It strikes me however, that in terms of public education, innovation should be the vehicle not the destination.

The problem as I see it is that we lack consensus about what we want for our students. Rest assured that there are many citizens who yearn for the “good old days.” I think it would be popular indeed to roll out a “Back to Basics” program that emphasizes the diagramming of sentences and copying of spelling words five times each.

I think that a clear target in terms of what we want for our students is much more important than how we get there. In your work with OGF, how did you come across the student outcomes that you included in the report?

]]> Comment on Philanthropy, Politics and the "Religion" of Public Schools by John http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/03/11/philanthropy-politics-and-the-religion-of-public-schools/#comment-116 John Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:28:30 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=599#comment-116 I received this comment via E-mail and got permission to post it on the blog. -----Original Message----- From: David Marshak [mailto:dmarshak@seattleu.edu] Sent: Sat 3/14/2009 3:00 PM To: John Mullaney Subject: Re: David Brooks on Ed. Reform John, It’s not too surprising. Daniel Kim may have offered post-modern analysis, but there are no elected state leaders that I know of who present a consistently post-modern agenda on education issues. Look at Obama. He won the election because he convinced a significant number of folks with post-modern consciousness to vote for him. On energy he has a significant post-modern agenda. On education he’s stuck in the past like all the other elected officials. Are you familiar with Paul Ray’s research re traditional, modern, and post-modern values/consciousness? David I received this comment via E-mail and got permission to post it on the blog.

—–Original Message—–
From: David Marshak [mailto:dmarshak@seattleu.edu]
Sent: Sat 3/14/2009 3:00 PM
To: John Mullaney
Subject: Re: David Brooks on Ed. Reform

John,

It’s not too surprising. Daniel Kim may have offered post-modern analysis,
but there are no elected state leaders that I know of who present a
consistently post-modern agenda on education issues.

Look at Obama. He won the election because he convinced a significant number
of folks with post-modern consciousness to vote for him. On energy he has a
significant post-modern agenda. On education he’s stuck in the past like all
the other elected officials.

Are you familiar with Paul Ray’s research re traditional, modern, and
post-modern values/consciousness?

David

]]> Comment on Philanthropy, Politics and the "Religion" of Public Schools by John http://thecivicfabric.org/2009/03/11/philanthropy-politics-and-the-religion-of-public-schools/#comment-115 John Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:08:29 +0000 http://www.thecivicfabric.org/?p=599#comment-115 Jeff - Always the thoughtful and provocative question! Thanks for the words from experience. I would like to suggest Frederick Hess' book to you. He traced entrepreneurship but it describes how entrepreneurship needs to be embraced by the entire system. He makes analogies to successful companies which presupposes the leadership embraces creating environments that would not only give permission for fourth-grade principals to innovate and take risk, but would encourage everyone in the system to do so, and in the process support each other. The goal is creating the best product. This implies careful quality control, talent development and financial analysis. It is my dream that someone like the Governor and the leaders in the ODE would embrace that work ethic and vision for Ohio schools. I think they can get there, they just need input from the business sector to help get them there. Jeff – Always the thoughtful and provocative question! Thanks for the words from experience. I would like to suggest Frederick Hess’ book to you. He traced entrepreneurship but it describes how entrepreneurship needs to be embraced by the entire system. He makes analogies to successful companies which presupposes the leadership embraces creating environments that would not only give permission for fourth-grade principals to innovate and take risk, but would encourage everyone in the system to do so, and in the process support each other. The goal is creating the best product. This implies careful quality control, talent development and financial analysis. It is my dream that someone like the Governor and the leaders in the ODE would embrace that work ethic and vision for Ohio schools. I think they can get there, they just need input from the business sector to help get them there.

]]>