Lighten up...

How can we redouble our commitment to business-oriented schooling? If necessary, we can outsource some of the learning to students in Asia, who will memorize more facts for lower grades. And we can complete the process, already begun in spirit, of making universities’ education departments subsidiaries of their business schools. More generally, we must put an end to pointless talk about students’ “interest” in learning and instead focus on skills that will contribute to the bottom line. Again, we’re delighted to report that this shift is already underway, thanks to those who keep reminding us about the importance of 21st-century schooling. Alfie Kohn, "When “21st-Century Schooling” Just Isn’t Good Enough: A Modest Proposal"

So I’ve been wondering about how to incorporate play into research as a way of tapping into more creative serendipitous approaches. Carolyn Foote in "Play and Libraries" (See also link to Helene Blowers presentation on fun in libraries.)

Welcome to Doodle 4 Google, a competition where we invite K-12 students to play around with our homepage logo and see what new designs they come up with. This year we're inviting U.S. kids to join in the doodling fun, around the intriguing theme "What I Wish for the World."

Those of us of Scandanavian heritage and epecially those of us still living in places where it doesn't get above freezing for an entire month and expecially toward the end of that month and where the snow that fell on the driveway in December is there but in the form of ice and especially for those of us who suffer from that light deprevation thing and especially those of us who think that if they eat one more meal that is primarily white in color and lacking any seasoning other than salt tend to have a bit of gloomy outlook on things now and then. It's a character flaw we acknowledge and do our best to live with it and try not to make it a problem for others.

This self-awareness keeps us on the lookout for those things that may lift our drooping spirits, such as the resources cited at the beginning of this post. Kohn's bit of satire is a hoot and should be widely shared; we should all engage in Foote's quest for fun in our libraries; and every student to should be encouraged to compete in Google's contest.

Humor, fun, and irreverance are the best weapons of all closet subversives in education. Make a kid or another teacher chuckle today.

And improve school.

___________________

* Hi Doug!

Here is the link to Helene's post and fabulous Slideshare presentation!

http://www.librarybytes.com/2008/12/my-24th-final-for-year.html

I think you will love it!

Best,
Buffy :-)

Comments

[teacherninja]

I posted about that wonderful Alfie Kohn essay today as well. Brilliant stuff.

I totally agree with the lighten up approach you advocate. Jen Robinson has had some great posts recently on encouraging parents (and teachers) to engage in more read alouds. She stresses the importance of the issue and I agree with her, but I think many people forget that it's just plain *fun* and that's almost more of a reason to push it!

Thanks.

[Buffy Hamilton]

Another thoughtful and timely post, Doug! Carolyn and I spoke via blog/email yesterday---she and I both have been wondering about play, and so has Helene Blowers. As Carolyn said, there seems to be a play "synergy" circulating! Have you seen Helene's blog post and Slideshare presentation on libraries and play? If not, let me know, and I will send you the link!

Carolyn gave me some great ideas for incorporating play into the library...I am looking forward to putting those ideas into action!

Best,
Buffy Hamilton

[Scott Eskro]

Doug,

Thanks for the great ideas time and time again. I put that Doodle 4 Google contest on our media center's blog.
Keep up the great work.

Scott

[Patrick]

Doug,

Well said. Carolyn's play idea resonates with me as I sit here looking at the curriculum writing I have to begin managing. How will I find play in this task? It's a valuable question to ask.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Jim,

I saw that you picked up on Kohn’s post too. Great minds and all that.

I’ll look for Jen’s posts. I appreciate the suggestion.

Doug

Hi Buffy,

I’d love the link to Helene’s post. I’ll share it with the Blue Skunk readers.

Thanks!

Doug

Thanks for the kind words, Scott. I send the Google contest info to our school mailing list too.

Doug

Hi Patrick,

I agree that it would be a challenge to make curriculum writing fun. Any way to sneak some fun into the curriculum itself. I always try to add a bit of humor to any report I file or plan I write. If nothing else it lets me know if someone actually reads the dang things.

Good luck!

Doug