If there is one thing I truly understand about educators it is that they are slow to change. It might be from decades of people jumping in with the “latest and greatest” answer to a better way to do things in education, or some legislative mandate to fix it all through legislation, only to find it to fizzle out and fall way short when actually implemented. If teachers learned one thing from these experiences it is that, if you wait and ride it out long enough, all of these initiatives will all go away. The problem however is that many educators want to apply this sit and wait posture to anything that requires them leaving their zones of comfort.
The mindset of a 20th Century educator is very comfortable for most educators since they were trained for the most part by 20th century educators. A majority of educators are very comfortable with the methodology and pedagogy of that time. Structure and student compliance matched to a focus on lecture and direct instruction are the common experiences of most educators.
The gap however, between 20th Century educators and 21st Century learners, is now beginning to widen at a much faster rate. Today’s learners have become more directed and into the ownership of their learning. The classroom is no longer the only location where learning takes place. If today’s learner has a need to learn something that has meaning to him/her, he/she can access information and tools to curate, communicate, collaborate and create without any help from someone standing at the head of the class.
If students need info, they can Google it. If they need a demonstration they go to You Tube. They can use any number of applications to create something from what they have learned and to make things better they can collaborate with anyone globally at anytime. The very best part is that after all is said and done they have the ability to publish their work at will.
Many students today learn for a reason, not because they are told to. They have found their voice. Many are finding themselves limited by what is being offered in classrooms. Many have inquisitive minds that do not want to wait to get to the next grade to learn what they want, or need to know now. Students want to learn in order to contribute and gain from meaningful, authentic learning and not because we tell them that, “someday you may need to know this”. Quite honestly the world is changing so rapidly, we do not know the “what” it is that they will need to know for their future. The best we can do to help them is to focus on the “how” to learn for the future, and they will determine the “what” based on their specific needs at that time.
The gap between teacher and student will continue to widen if the educators’ mindset for learning does not evolve. Educators, themselves, must be the Life Long Learners that they speak of in school mission statements and addresses at “parents nights”.
It is the growth mindset of educators that is the key to changing an antiquated system. We can have every educator in the country sign a future ready pledge, but if they have no understanding of what future ready means to them personally, it will be another wasted initiative. Committing to working technology into the infrastructure will have little effect if the educators are not willing to embrace the teaching and learning that must go along with that. We can’t cram 21st Century learning into a 20th Century model of teaching because it is more comfortable for our educators. There should be no comfort zone for an educator that is more important than a student’s relevant education. The students and their learning must be the focus. Educators can only be effective if they to are learners. Teaching is not a passive exercise; it requires work, study, and involvement in an ever-changing world. That is why everyone can’t be a teacher. It requires a growth mindset and a willingness to evolve as a learner for a lifetime and that is a necessary commitment that many are not willing to choose to make.
The idea of collaborative learning has always been with us in education, and in life in general. It is the social learning we talk about. The idea that we can now collaborate globally on a huge scale is something of a shift in thinking in education. It is only as a result of technology that this has become possible. It does afford educators an unlimited pool of collegial sources. Educators who can share ideas and help others avoid problems make up an individual educator’s Personalized Learning Network. This PLN is made up of people, who collectively are smarter than any one individual, and are willing to share. The ability to create and access these sources is all part of a growth mindset for learning in the 21st Century. It also requires an openness to learning about the tools to accomplish it all. This takes time and is not a product of a workshop, or a daylong PD event.
Without a mindset for continually learning, or a limited view on what one is willing to learn, it will be difficult to change the status quo in education. Connecting with others may be a great idea that we all agree will make a difference in education, but what good does that do us, if a majority of educators are only comfortable doing what it is they have always done. Of course, it should go without saying that if staying within those comfort zones worked, we would not be having a global discussion on needed reforms for education.
In order to create these much-needed Personalized Learning Networks educators will need to learn about social media and its culture. The ins and outs of Twitter would be the most efficient and effective way to share what is needed for educators. This however takes some time to learn, and it also takes a commitment of at least 20 minutes a day interacting with connected colleagues for anyone to benefit from this. The benefits far outweigh the time and work involved, but the fact of the matter is that not every educator has a growth mindset. Not every educator shows a willingness to leave those zones of comfort. For those reasons Twitter will never connect all educators. The shame of it is that Twitter is probably the best way to share and learn available to us now. If we are to better educate our kids, we need to first better educate their educators.
Interesting post, Tom, and I agree that teachers need to be 21st century learners themselves if they are to teach their students to become just that. It’s hard to see the benefits of being a connected educator until one becomes one.
However, I sympathise with the teachers who feel they don’t have time. Sure, it’s easy to say ‘just 20 minutes a day’, but it all adds up – along with the long working hours (I don’t know any teacher who works less than 50 hours per week) spending some quality moments with family, preparing meals, keeping a house clean, regular exercise or gym sessions, and maybe even reading a non-education related book. There are so many things things we need to do to only be effective as teachers but also effective in life.
I worry about creating or perpetuating a culture which puts so much pressure on teachers to give more and more of themselves to the job. It’s no wonder so many burn out. Teachers feel there is a moral imperative to do so – we want to do what is best for the kids, but there is always more we can do, its the nature of teaching.
I also think there is a moral imperative for school leaders and systems to take care of the wellbeing of teachers. If we require more of teachers, then we need to support them in practical ways, like cutting back on other parts of their role to allow them the time.
But, that said, I agree, teachers need to be connected – whether through Twitter or other networks. My question is, how can we support teachers to become connected educators while still leading a balanced and healthy life.
I agree with you about fostering a growth mindset for students and adults in education. I agree with Corinne in that teachers are overworked and it is the responsibility of the system (and leaders) to support and engage the unconnected. I recently wrote about two successes I have had connected the unconnected- by strategically building in authentic opportunities for twitter practice within our work or learning structure. I also think we need to be cautious with statements such as “twitter is probably the best way to share and learn around.” There are many ways to be connected, to share, to learn, to collaborate. When we speak in broad generalizations, we immediately lose some people. My post: https://reflectionsonleadershipandlearning.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/engaging-the-unconnected/
Tom,
As always you impress me with your thoughts and ideas! This is exactly what rattles around in my head. Hardest part is how to get those educators to even consider looking over the bridge to today’s educational world. Thanks for your writing.
Hey Tom –
“The ins and outs of Twitter would be the most efficient and effective way to share what is needed for educators.”
I’ve been reflecting a lot about Twitter lately and its role in networked learning, and I can certainly attest that it does help educators connect with one another, build mutually beneficial relationships, share resources, and extend their thinking about professional topics. However, I’m not sure it’s fair to assume it’s the right medium for everyone. It certainly has its limitations and I think, as you imply, it’s more important for educators to embrace the mindset where they think of themselves as learners first, where they dedicate themselves to bettering their practice for the sake of their students. That doesn’t require social media, it requires a desire to learn, to read, to experiment, to reflect, and to grow. It can be done on a local setting, supported by face-to-face teams of teachers and administrators and parents and students.
Sure, it is far easier to establish connections with a more diverse group of learners by reaching out via social networks, but I’d rather work with an “unconnected” teacher who’s committed to truly enhancing her skills in the classroom than one who has jumped headfirst into connecting with social networks yet doesn’t use those experiences to make an actionable difference in herself or her classroom.
Lyn, I agree with all that you have said, but I feel a need to add. Why would anyone seeking to learn, omit access to experts beyond their personal boundaries? Wouldn’t it be limiting to only connect with people in your own building? Connectedness also gives the ability to pick and choose whom we want to connect to and whom we want to drop. That being said, it is that open learning mindset that we need to support and focus on. Everything else will work itself out as the learning expands. Thanks for your response.
Hi, again,
I guess I am considering that even for a teacher not on Twitter, resources can be obtained and referenced via literature, graduate coursework (on site or online), journals, blog posts, etc., that provide the teacher with outside perspectives and from experts in the field. Just because a teacher isn’t a Twitter user doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to access and use the infinite goodness that is found via the intertubes and other professional networks such as ASCD or Learning Forward or similar. I’m certainly guilty of once professing that Twitter is the greatest thing for all educators and we all need to be connected – but I’m starting to become more grounded in my approach to helping teachers develop and use a personal learning network for growth. I agree, mindset is key. I believe you can’t change someone’s mindset. You can only involve them in experiences that perhaps will have an impact on their practice and then help them see the benefits to kids. So, we carry on! Thanks for the conversation, Tom! Best part of being connected 🙂
Reblogged this on teaching knowledge and creativity.
Tom – Another insightful post. We use twitter to promote all of our website, Pinterest, Scoop-It and LinkedIn posts. Much of our traffic comes via twitter. So I agree that twitter may not be effective in class as a teaching tool. I just wanted to point out that teachers may use twitter (especially #hashtags) to learn or gain PD for themselves. We promote all of your posts on our twitter feed.
Thanks for that.
[…] won’t they use social media? Don’t they know the benefits of being a connected learner? Why Twitter Will Never Connect All Educators. | My Island View. If there is one thing I truly understand about educators it is that they are slow to […]
[…] week his blog featured this title: “Why Twitter Will Never Connect All Educators.” If you are a teacher or a teacher of teachers, we urge you to take a few minutes, click the link […]
[…] though, I read a post by Tom Whitby and was intrigued about the following […]
[…] Why Twitter Will Never Connect All Educators.. […]
You bring up points that I have been thinking been thinking about since I started wanting to get into education. I love your prespective on why students have taken learning into their own hands, and are more inquisitive than ever
[…] Why Twitter Will Never Connect All Educators. | My Island View. If there is one thing I truly understand about educators it is that they are slow to change. […]
[…] If there is one thing I truly understand about educators it is that they are slow to change. […]
Great post and I could not agree more with your sentiment that teachers need to be connected, but why does this automatically have to equal Twitter? I think that having an active PLN and being connected is more than just an app (http://readwriterespond.com/?p=495). Maybe this is a good ‘starting’ point, but I personally think that every teacher should have a blog? Thoughts
I did not advocate for Twitter exclusively. I was advocating for connected learning through Social Media (that would include blogs). I did say and do believe that considering all Social Media, I think Twitter is the most efficient and most effective application for connecting. Personal Learning Networks however are made up of many applications and sources.
Sorry Tom, in rereading your post I realise that I misread it. Human after all
Aaron
It was a fair question. There was a Post done by George Couros elaborating on the same criticism of what he thought was my view. I would actually agree with both of you, if Twitter were the only means of social media one used for a PLN. I have always advocated for a wide variety of connections. I do use Twitter as the backbone for my PLN. Again, I think it is both efficient and effective for collaboration, but it should by no means be the sole form of collaboration. I always look forward to your replies. Thanks!
[…] illustrates a blog post by teacher/blogger Tom Whitby, who […]