Where are you headed, and where is everyone else headed? What will the world be like in ten years?
It's important to keep your eyes on the future, and it's exciting too. Just think you can be part of this transformation.
I'll collect "future posts" here, vignettes, lists, and articles about what's to come. Take a look when you're interested. I'll continue to add.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Leading Your Child's Learning
As a parent, you are one important leader in your child's learning life.
Important routines and structure for learning start as soon as you bring your newborn home.
The toys you buy, the books you read, the music you listen to, the television you watch, and programs you download all contribute to your child's learning, interests, and world view. Hence, it's important to be deliberate about the choices you make, and what you expose your child too.
Quickly your child will begin to affect your choices by his/her needs, interests, and desires. Children will gravitate to some books and toys more than others, some music more than others, and some programs more than others. That information is telling about who your child is, and what they will be.
But only exposing your child to that which he or she is interested in could be limiting; at young ages it's best to expose your child to a broad menu of places, people, and things. Let them know what's out there in the world of learning. Yet, don't structure their time too much as children need time for play, exploration, imagination, and problem solving.
As your child's first teacher, you have a substantial responsibility to get your child started in learning with enthusiasm and positivity--the foundation you set will make an important difference in their later success and learning appetite. Enjoy the journey.
Important routines and structure for learning start as soon as you bring your newborn home.
The toys you buy, the books you read, the music you listen to, the television you watch, and programs you download all contribute to your child's learning, interests, and world view. Hence, it's important to be deliberate about the choices you make, and what you expose your child too.
Quickly your child will begin to affect your choices by his/her needs, interests, and desires. Children will gravitate to some books and toys more than others, some music more than others, and some programs more than others. That information is telling about who your child is, and what they will be.
But only exposing your child to that which he or she is interested in could be limiting; at young ages it's best to expose your child to a broad menu of places, people, and things. Let them know what's out there in the world of learning. Yet, don't structure their time too much as children need time for play, exploration, imagination, and problem solving.
As your child's first teacher, you have a substantial responsibility to get your child started in learning with enthusiasm and positivity--the foundation you set will make an important difference in their later success and learning appetite. Enjoy the journey.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
You Will Make Mistakes
If you're a learner, you will make mistakes.
The more you're willing to reach and risk, the more mistakes you'll make.
The more mistakes you make, the greater you'll be able to navigate mistakes and make those mistakes work for you. Mistakes will become common, accepted, and less worrisome.
Making mistakes work for you means that you analyze a mistake, find the meaning in it, and apply that meaning to future endeavor.
There are some mistakes however that you can't turn back from, and you must keep a short list of those errors in your mind. These are mistakes you never want to make, mistakes like angry words, dangerous physical actions, careless process with health and safety procedures, and actions you can't reverse.
Also, own your mistakes. Those who mask and cover up error, waste their own time and the time and potential of others. Recently a person in my midst made an error that was somewhat substantial, but he owned the error right away which meant we could research and remedy. The result was learning for all, and no ill effect. Had the individual masked the error, the result could have been physically damaging to a person. Owning error and mistake matters.
Learners who fear mistakes, don't grow. They never get to experience the joy and result of work that's taken enormous risk, endeavor, vision, and reach. Hence, learning today includes error and mistake, learn from it and move forward.
Follow your vision, right mistakes and learn from them, and move forward. That's what vigorous, promising learning is all about.
The more you're willing to reach and risk, the more mistakes you'll make.
The more mistakes you make, the greater you'll be able to navigate mistakes and make those mistakes work for you. Mistakes will become common, accepted, and less worrisome.
Making mistakes work for you means that you analyze a mistake, find the meaning in it, and apply that meaning to future endeavor.
There are some mistakes however that you can't turn back from, and you must keep a short list of those errors in your mind. These are mistakes you never want to make, mistakes like angry words, dangerous physical actions, careless process with health and safety procedures, and actions you can't reverse.
Also, own your mistakes. Those who mask and cover up error, waste their own time and the time and potential of others. Recently a person in my midst made an error that was somewhat substantial, but he owned the error right away which meant we could research and remedy. The result was learning for all, and no ill effect. Had the individual masked the error, the result could have been physically damaging to a person. Owning error and mistake matters.
Learners who fear mistakes, don't grow. They never get to experience the joy and result of work that's taken enormous risk, endeavor, vision, and reach. Hence, learning today includes error and mistake, learn from it and move forward.
Follow your vision, right mistakes and learn from them, and move forward. That's what vigorous, promising learning is all about.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Listen
Every child brings a dream to the world.
You can see it in their eyes.
You can hear it in their words.
You can watch it in their play.
Their dreams hold the promise for a better world.
When we nurture their dreams, we too are inspired
For we see the promise that they bring.
Every child brings a dream to the world.
Listen.
You can see it in their eyes.
You can hear it in their words.
You can watch it in their play.
Their dreams hold the promise for a better world.
When we nurture their dreams, we too are inspired
For we see the promise that they bring.
Every child brings a dream to the world.
Listen.
Debate
No one knows it all.
We all bring our own experiences, knowledge set, ideas, and dreams to the table.
No one is right, and no one is wrong.
Debate is the process of weaving our ideas together into something strong and wonderful.
When we fear debate, we stall or limit potential.
We all have something to share.
Welcome the conversation, discussion, and share.
Debate.
We all bring our own experiences, knowledge set, ideas, and dreams to the table.
No one is right, and no one is wrong.
Debate is the process of weaving our ideas together into something strong and wonderful.
When we fear debate, we stall or limit potential.
We all have something to share.
Welcome the conversation, discussion, and share.
Debate.
Play
Lots of grownups are afraid of play.
They think play is only for children, and they forget that we learn a lot when we play.
When we play, we get to the heart of learning.
We risk. We explore. We invent. We create.
Play is definitely underrated in the adult world.
Yet, play is a great path to discovery and learning.
They think play is only for children, and they forget that we learn a lot when we play.
When we play, we get to the heart of learning.
We risk. We explore. We invent. We create.
Play is definitely underrated in the adult world.
Yet, play is a great path to discovery and learning.
Speak Up
Too many people in our world stay silent.
That silence hinders potential and promise.
Speak up. Share your story. Tell your point of view, and respect others.
If more people spoke up in our world, we'd have a more just and happy world.
Silence limits our potential.
Speak up!
That silence hinders potential and promise.
Speak up. Share your story. Tell your point of view, and respect others.
If more people spoke up in our world, we'd have a more just and happy world.
Silence limits our potential.
Speak up!
Passion is Potent
Find your passion.
Seek it out.
Invest in your passion with time and energy.
Your passion will lead you toward directions of success and happiness.
School is important, but passion is probably more important.
When you're passionate, you study and work without noticing the clock. You take risks and reach out in exciting ways. You bring the world your special gifts, and impact others in positive ways.
Make sure to make time for your passions each week.
Seek it out.
Invest in your passion with time and energy.
Your passion will lead you toward directions of success and happiness.
School is important, but passion is probably more important.
When you're passionate, you study and work without noticing the clock. You take risks and reach out in exciting ways. You bring the world your special gifts, and impact others in positive ways.
Make sure to make time for your passions each week.
A Grade Doesn't Tell Your Worth or Potential
I've heard too many stories of people who got poor grades in school and ended up being very successful people.
Don't let grades define you.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't try your best or earn good grades, it just means that you have to think more deeply about grades.
Don't let grades define you.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't try your best or earn good grades, it just means that you have to think more deeply about grades.
- First of all is the material you're learning too advanced for you--perhaps you're missing the foundation steps related to the topic. If you didn't pass the sixth grade test, what makes you think you'll be able to pass the seventh grade test.
- Next, has the information been well taught. Can you understand the instructor? Are the materials helpful? Do you have the tools, space, and time to learn the content well? If not, where might you access that information.?
- After that do you have the home support necessary? Do you have the time and space at home to study? Do you have help if you're stuck? Do you have the paper, pencils, computer, calculator or other necessary tools?
- Are you interested in the subject? Now some subjects we need to learn may not interest us, but may be good for us. But simply knowing if you're interested or not can help you strategize to do well in the class?
Good grades will help you to move on in school, obtain jobs, and earn respect, but learning is much more than grades.
Instead of focusing on grades, focus on what you need to learn well and be successful. Advocate for your needs, put the time in, and seek support. Not only will your grades improve, but more importantly, your learning will improve too.
Everyone is a Learner!
The Internet makes learning much more accessible today, than in the past.
If you're curious about a topic, start with a simple Google search.
A quick look at the sites provided lead you to a simple post that gives you some basic information about the topic. The first post may lead you to other resources or prompt questions.
Don't be satisfied with one post as it may not be reliable, complete, or correct. Make sure to check a number of posts about the topic and compare information. Also make sure to check posts that you know you can mostly rely on, posts by well known publishers, companies, and organizations.
As you read, keep a document of important facts, and important questions. As your knowledge grows, your questions will become more and more specific. Search for information related to your specific questions too. Look for those answers.
Think about the best way to learn the information too. Is it best learned by a trial-and-error game, a virtual model, video, text, chat, personal interview, trip or other learning method. It's typically best to employ many methods while learning. It's also a great idea to keep a file of notes and references as you work.
So next time you're curious, just start learning. As I tell my students, "Don't stay stuck!" Instead reach out to the many tools available to make your learning quest a successful journey.
If you're curious about a topic, start with a simple Google search.
A quick look at the sites provided lead you to a simple post that gives you some basic information about the topic. The first post may lead you to other resources or prompt questions.
Don't be satisfied with one post as it may not be reliable, complete, or correct. Make sure to check a number of posts about the topic and compare information. Also make sure to check posts that you know you can mostly rely on, posts by well known publishers, companies, and organizations.
As you read, keep a document of important facts, and important questions. As your knowledge grows, your questions will become more and more specific. Search for information related to your specific questions too. Look for those answers.
Think about the best way to learn the information too. Is it best learned by a trial-and-error game, a virtual model, video, text, chat, personal interview, trip or other learning method. It's typically best to employ many methods while learning. It's also a great idea to keep a file of notes and references as you work.
So next time you're curious, just start learning. As I tell my students, "Don't stay stuck!" Instead reach out to the many tools available to make your learning quest a successful journey.
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