The Clever Sheep

Going EPIC with Orcas

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:03:00 +0000

Are you attending BIT 18?
Are you up for an EPIC learning experience?
Would you like to meet a documentary filmmaker who is willing to share her story with your students?

Join us for the launch of 'To The Orcas, With Love'!

Thanks to a bit of serendipity, and plenty of generosity, I'll be joining hundreds of Ontario educators in Niagara Falls for ECOO's annual BIT conference. While there, I'll be partnering with my niece: filmmaker Natalie Lucier, and my twin brother Todd, to share an epic professional learning experience.

Our conference experience will be framed by a workshop titled: 'Going EPIC with Orcas', where we will consider how passion projects and project based learning can bring joy and foster connection among learners. Our opening day will peak with the Wednesday evening launch of Natalie's film: 'To The Orcas, With Love', and most importantly, YOU are invited!

Event: To The Orcas, With Love
Location: Sociabank Convention Centre
Date: November 7, 2018
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

"Find inspiration in 'To The Orcas, With Love', a movie premiere exclusively for BIT18 educators. Natalie Lucier's film inspires us to restore a loving relationship between ourselves and this remarkable planet. Through uplifting stories of connection, you'll meet elders including environmentalist and CBC broadcaster, David Suzuki, whale researchers Alexandra Morton and Paul Spong, totem carver Wayne Alfred, and lifelong resident of the Broughton archipelago Billy Proctor. This film is anchored by Rob Stewart's invitation to rise up and create the world we dream for ourselves."

All attendees will be granted free access to the film and related lesson materials, and will have the chance to make arrangements for virtual classroom visits with the director of the film. The first 25 teachers on hand will receive a full-sized colour film poster.

Preview the trailer of Natalie's film below. We hope it will entice you to set aside an hour to join with like-minded educators who will share an epic learning experience.

Super Secret Society

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 00:29:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've published my thoughts on this blog, having spent the past few years focused on supporting teachers in my local community. Today, I'm reaching out to my online colleagues to share an idea I'm hatching this week, in support of students who are feeling lonely and disconnected.

Where Have Our Children Gone?

While no one was paying attention, a large proportion of our teen community has decided that free time is meant to be spent alone, in private, with a glowing screen. Whether connecting on social media, binge-watching video, or playing video games, our young people have retreated to their bedrooms. I'll wager that you, or parents you know, are wondering what happened to their children. Whether interacting on their mobile phones or portable computers, the most connected generation of all time, seems to lack for opportunities to engage in a face-to-face context. The steady diet of dopamine and serotonin, induced through follows, likes and comments, seems to have stifled the urge for physical interactivity that used to characterize the lives of teens.

And now, in school districts across North America, adults are trying to get a grip on how to engage young people in helping themselves. The term 'mental health strategy' has become and education obsession as educators, parents and community members attempt to fix what's wrong with a generation that seems to be withdrawing from traditional society. Never before has a generation of learners cried out so loudly for help with their social and mental well being.

The Birth of a Secret Society

As I sat in a large group planning meeting last week, student success teams from our local high schools attempted to make practical sense of the guides and supports that were available to school communities. Action plans were drafted to be shared with our board level student success leaders, and a follow-up was promised.

While this work was underway, Jane McGonigal's book 'Reality is Broken' began rattling around in my brain. During my drive to/from school, I had recently finished reading the audio version of the book and I was inspired by the ways in which game mechanics were being leveraged to increase social engagement, to connect co-conspirators, and to solve problems. Long story short: before leaving the meeting, I had purchased a domain name, created new social media accounts, and had a draft in my mind for a new community-building game to be called 'Super Secret Society',

Meaningful Missions + Human Interactions = Joy.

This is the secret sauce for the Super Secret Society. I believe that ordinary days, spiced with a positive community extra... can become extraordinary. The semi-mysterious logo was designed by blending S+S+S into a symbol that is reminiscent of that doohickey we once needed to play 45 RPM records. The symbol is circular, representative of how positive behaviours might be 'paid forward'. What goes around comes around. My hope is that others will find themselves engaging in socially generous behaviors that are sparked by thoughtful missions.

What type of missions are you talking about?
With a goal of creating a culture at our school that is based on friendliness and personal engagement, the missions that I'm collecting for broadcast can be characterized as fun (wear mis-matched socks); interactive (take time to notice the eye colour of your friends); challenging (stand up against an unnecessary use of vulgar or hateful language); generous (share something from your lunch with someone you've not shared with before); habit-forming (hold the door open for at least 5 different people today).

Who participates?
The missions will vary in difficulty depending on one's personality and comfort with social interaction. In general, tasks can be accomplished by anyone young/old; student/teacher; parent/child. Without realizing it, other community members are also participating. The more a person takes on challenges, the easier future missions will seem, and the more connected an individual will become to those in the community.

How does one discover the day's mission?
Missions are posted on Twitter, Instagram. Participants can access the missions by following supersecretsoci on either platform. Only those who follow will have access to the missions. The group is top secret after all! (For those without social media accounts, the missions will also be posted openly on Pinterest.)

How are missions accomplished?
Missions are accomplished in secrecy! Don't let on why you're doing any particular task... just complete the assigned missions and enjoy the fruits of your labour. To accept a mission, simply click the like button/heart icon to confirm that you've received the instructions. If you'd like to document your achievement, each day's mission has a matching hashtag that can be used to share your personal experience.

What's the payoff?
The payoff for individual participation is positive human interaction. The payoff for school or family participation, is the fostering of a collegial community climate.

Can I tell other people?
Since there is a bit of joy at figuring out that the society exists, my hope is that hashtags appearing in the posts of game players might spark the curiosity of new players. "What was that sock photo with the #sss0001 tag all about?" There will be times when a mission will ask agents to gather co-conspirators but if you know of individuals or groups who would make good agents, please share a link to supersecretsociety.ca . Perhaps at your school, the logo, posted conspicuously, and paired with a QR code can be used as a cue to induce the curiosity of potential agents.

What if I have an idea to share?
If you have an idea for a super secret mission, please share your idea. Inspire people you'll never know, to interact in positive ways. Together, we can create ripples of friendliness, fun, and fulfillment.

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Global Voices - Universal Vision

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Mon, 05 May 2014 12:56:00 +0000

Back in March, I had the great fortune to attend the Microsoft Global Forum, a conference that brought together educators from around the world. While there, we shared projects from our home countries and collaborated in the creation of new projects like One World. While the work was meaningful, it was through side conversations I had with educators from across our planet where I came to realize how common the experience of teaching really is.

The prompts:

Who are you?
What do you see as the most significant barrier to learning?
What advice would you give to teachers today?

My hope is that as CEA continues to host regional "What's Standing in the Way of Change" workshops, that my Canadian colleagues will come to realize that we are playing active roles in a global movement to reimagine education.

25 People Who Influenced My Thinking On Assessment

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 02:21:00 +0000

A few months ago, I had the privilege to share some of my ideas about assessment with an audience that is very data savvy. Without realizing it, teachers are the product of interactions with present colleagues, former teachers and past students. Beyond the ideas I've shared, I hope this presentation inspires you to think about who has had the greatest impact in your teaching.

In the original talk for MISA, I shared stories highlighting 50 people who have influenced my thinking on the topic of assessment and evaluation. I'm really happy with the look of the original slidedeck which is available below, but it's difficult to argue with the nice editing job the creatives did with the presentation.

Assessment in a networked world from Rodd Lucier

Western Active Learning Space

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:29:00 +0000

Five years ago, I hosted a conversation with my colleagues at RMC about what the classrooms of tomorrow might look like. Since that time, I've led a handful of workshops at conferences where design thinking has similarly led eductors to envision the future. Yesterday I went on a professional development field trip to the Western Active Learning Space at the Weldon Library on the Western University campus where many of the ideas my colleagues dreamt up, have become real.

To add context to the video, you should know that this is the prelimary test of concept space, in the next few weeks, the full scale WALS, consisting of seven learning pods will be opening in as new research classroom on campus. The final design will see the teacher's work station moved to the centre of the room, with each pod moved slightly from the touch sensitive projection screens to more easily facilitate multi-user access.

Each collaborative pod can be accessed by a wide range of mobile devices that connect via Internet to a specific IP address. While each pod has been provided with a notebook computer, any device with the freely downloadable Crestron app, can access any of the seven sub-networks. To foster collaboration, each screen can host simultaneous projections from up to four unique devices.

There are two mounted cameras in the space either of which can be fed to the pod screens. One captures the entire room in 360° and is intended to track student engagement and participation by researchers, the other is a remote controlled camera that can focus on particular area, to record or share the work of any pod or individual.

It's an expensive venture and one that will continue to evolve. From my perspective, I'm content knowing that Western University has found a way to promote active collaborative learning among large groups of students. If the vision proves productive, new classrooms at the university can be built using this prototype as a template.

One World

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Still feeling the effects of jet lag upon my return from the Microsoft Global Summit, I have taken some early morning hours to draft an open letter to the team that organized the event.

One World

A number of hours ago, my learn-a-thon group made a pitch with an inquiry project called 'One World'. Evocative of the 'one' branding that Microsoft has recently undertaken, I believe this project holds incredible potential. For the purposes of the project, an open and social hub was created for this project at www.about.me/oneworldnetwork

Student Inquiry focused on Millennium Development Goals

Many believe that the Millennium Development Goals are a natural fit for the Microsoft Global Summit, and that these goals, tethered to student projects hold the key to realizing Microsoft's stated goal to "Empower people and businesses to reach their full potential". I personally believe that the 'One World' project has the potential for ensuring that the rich cross-cultural conversations I witnessed at the forum, continue year-round, not only among teachers, but among the true global change agents: our students. If you have yet to see our pitch, please take the time to consider our work. It will take ten minutes of your time, but may well hold the key to the future of the Microsoft Global Summit. I have posted our pitch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtHDpnCjag

One World in Canada

In order to ensure that the hard work of my team does not fade away, I have shared the details of the One World project with my brother Todd who runs Northern Edge Algonquin, a Canadian retreat centre. If financial support can be found, Todd is willing to assist in hosting a regional summit of educators and students, where One World projects can be shared.

An Elephant in the Room

My project team invested many hours in a project that took but minutes to be judged according to a rubric. We invested our time, talent, emotions and intellect, yet to date, we have received no feedback on our work. We have no way of knowing the project was successful or where it fell short from the judges' perspective. Although our project did not win any of the awards in the poverty category for which it was produced, we are very proud of our work and believe it deserves a larger audience. I believe that all participants, including those who showcased their individual projects, are justified in expecting some kind of feedback other than 'you didn't win'. Any efforts to rectify this gap in this or any future forum events, would be much appreciated.

Continuing the Conversation

The true measure of the value of a project is whether or not it can live in the real world. I welcome any opportunity to discuss the potential of breathing life into the One World project. Please feel free to contact me through email, or through Link or Skype. (My Skype ID is r.lucier, and you can also find me at Skype in the Classroom).

My days in Barcelona will be remembered for the rest of my life. Here's hoping that the full potential of the Microsoft Global Summit will continue to impact teachers and students from around the world. One student project at a time, we can be One World.

Pulling the Plug

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:07:00 +0000

As summer approaches, it's often the best time to reflect not only on the accomplishments of the passing school year, but to consider what it is that really matters most. The UnPlug'd experience has always been about connecting in meaningful ways with co-learning teachers embroiled in a common lifelong mission as learner and leader. And as much as that connecting with others does matter a whole lot, lately I've come to recognize the importance of connecting with my immediate world.

In the adrenalin rush that comes from being noticed, or from being invited to hang with the cool kids, or from having one's idea valued by others, we sometimes forget the reality that there are other people in our lives that are more important than those we may strive to impress with a witty tweet or an artful photograph, or a compelling blog post. And even as surely as we treasure our daily lives with immediate family members, we won't be able to add full value to their lives, if we don't take care of ourselves first.

So, as summer approaches, I'm sensing the need to unplug... to go deeper, and to once again figure out who I am, and what I want to be when I grow up. Seriously, having recently turned the page on 50 years, I can't help but wonder what else it is that I'm supposed to be doing, now that retirement from teaching is approaching like that stop sign just a few miles down the road.

It so happens that I'm also dealing with a mostly minor health issue that calls for me to 'stay out of the sun'. As you might have guessed, I see hiding in the shade as a metaphor of sorts. It will be a rare treat to be free from teaching online this summer, one that is calling me to be quiet on the social media front as well. As one who commonly seeks distraction from distant folks I'm happy to call my friends, it will be no small feat. Ironically, some of my shade will come from the withdrawal of what had been planned as this summer's UnPlugd13 summit.

In lieu of organizing an opportunity for others to forge deeper connections through UnPlugd.ca, I'll be taking that time and attention to truly focus on my personal needs. I'm going to spend a few months being still. I will relish reading, in place of tweeting; thinking in lieu of blogging; meeting face to face instead of gathering in virtual spaces.

Before I take leave to my shaded hammock, I wonder:
What's your plan for rejuvenation this summer?

UnPlugd13: Fuel Your Passion

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:42:00 +0000

Who: Educators and their families
What: A summit for educators interested in making meaningful connections with colleagues while pursuing a wide range of creative and recreational pursuits.
When: August 5-8, 2013
Where: Northern Edge Algonquin
Why: Because we’re worth it!

Over four days and three nights, you will interact with kindred spirits who long to share stories and ideas amidst the natural splendor of Algonquin park. You’ll be amazed at the meaningful connections you can make in an off-the-grid setting.

Whether your yearn to engage in rich conversation; to dive into uniquely Canadian recreation; or to dine on nutritious and delicious meals, you’re sure to find the unplugd13 experience to be rejuvenating in ways you’ve never imagined.

UnPlugd13 is limited to the first 40 participants, so if you are at all inclined to join us, visit the registration page while space is still available.

Learn More:
·       If you’re not yet familiar with the concept of learning and relaxing in an unplugged setting, consider visiting UnPlugd.ca, or review photos and reflections of recent participants.
· Follow past participants via #unplugd11 or #unplugd12.
·       Feel free to connect with me via phone, email or video conference.
·       Join in on the pre-event conference call for registrants.

Letters from the Edge

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:14:00 +0000

It's here!

'Letters from the Edge' is the collaboratively authored 'book' from this past summer's UnPlug'd 12 event. We really struggled with the challenge of authoring a book that could be accessible by on any multi-media device, so rather than adopting a portable book format, we settled on HTML5.

Coding our book using modern HTML, results in a work that can be experienced in similar ways whether viewing on desktop, tablet, or smartphone. The format also allows us to engage audio, video and photo elements to deliver a multimedia reading experience.

I encourage you to take time to savour our e-publication. The letters were written and edited by educators from Canada, the USA and Australia who participated in the first international UnPlug'd event. Video and audio elements were recorded at 'The Edge', our host site, which is perched on the border of Algonquin Park.

UnPlugd12 authors can be followed on Twitter and through the personal blogs which are highlighted alongside each letter. Although the back-stories are known only to the participants, I'm sure that you'll be able to relate to the lessons shared between the pixels.

Personal Learning Neighbourhood

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:10:00 +0000

A few days ago, Ben Wilkoff posted From Network to Neighbourhood, a reflection on the cul-de-sacs of his personal/professional learning network. This morning I was walking when I received a message from Jabiz Raisdana who teaches on the other side of the planet. His note prompted me to take a minute to reflect on some of the more distant members of my PLN.

There are many, many other educators with whom I engage in public (and private) conversations on a regular basis. My neighbourhood/network was founded in late 2007 via Twitter, but has expanded many times since that time through a range of tools, experiences and events. If you're still trying to make sense of Twitter and the role it may play in your own PLN, Keri-Lee Beasley and Jabiz Raisdana have just published Twitter - A Cultural Guidebook. The book is based on Seven Degrees of Connectedness, and is available as a free download.

Visualizing Connections

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:49:00 +0000

The relationships we build with other online learners will vary depending on the frequency of our connections and the nature of our sharing and collaboration. In this diagram, I've drawn on my personal experiences in specific learning environments, in an attempt to highlight the intellectual and emotional connections I've made with colleagues.

Although we don't often think about our professional relationships as being 'intimate' or 'emotional', over time I've come to value my online relationships far beyond the intellectual connection that first drew me to this online world.

Is it possible to highlight such rich and evolving relationships in a personal/professional learning network (PLN) diagram?

7 Degrees of MOOC

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:45:00 +0000

In one of the opening sessions for #ETMOOC, Alec Couros hinted at the ubiquity of network connections when he shared the link to The Oracle of Bacon. That site, based on the Six Degrees of Separation, highlights the interconnectedness of the acting community.

I prefer to consider the range of connections within what many educators now refer to as the 'PLN' or personal learning network. In recent months, I've done a fair bit of thinking about how educators in the online world experience at least Seven Degrees of Connectedness.

The 7 Degrees Infographic was collaboratively developed in an attempt to qualify the wide range of relationships we experience online. My original blog post later led to this K-12 Online Conference presentation that goes into more detail about the tools and connections many are now familiar with.

Knowing that ETMOOC participants are engaging in many and varied experiences with co-learners, I'd be interested to know whether or not these stages resonate with participants. For those new to blogging, tweeting and sharing online, it might be even more enlightening to revisit this infographic at the end of the course.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES: My colleagues on the eastern side of the planet have just released Twitter: A Cultural Guidebook which is based on the 7 Degrees of Connectedness. What's more, it's a free download.

Wheels Within Wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:19:00 +0000

"Wheels within wheels in a spiral array,

A pattern so grand and complex,
Time after time we lose sight of the way,

Our causes can't see their effects."

from Natural Science, by Rush

References:

Moving Forward
by Alec Couros

#ETMOOC is Overwhelming. So, Let's Make Some Meaning
by Ben Wilkoff

Like Spokes on a Wheel
by Rodd Lucier

Week One Graph through Social Media Research Foundation
via Marc Smith

Like Spokes on a Wheel

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:10:00 +0000

As the ETMOOC gets underway in earnest, many of the participants will be blogging about their learning, some for the very first time. As participants draw connections between their ideas, these blog posts will rub up against one another, and like spokes centred on a common central idea, we'll all be able to move forward together. This, in spite of the fact that reading habits, (and consequently writing habits) are changing. These ideas led me to the two minute reflection below...

Related Posts:
We are Called to be Open Spokes in a Fidgital World by Ben Wilkoff
Imagining a Classroom without Blogs by Clarence Fisher

Photo credit: Spokes by kozzmen

Projecting Anatomy

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:36:00 +0000

Many of my colleagues are making use of mobile apps as teaching tools, and it seems to me that more might give it a shot if they knew what it entailed. Here I profile a few anatomy apps that are 'free' for a limited time along with the dongles that make projection possible. If you coach or train as an athlete, or if you teach anatomy/health/fitness/biology, you might want to download these particular apps before the offer ends.

FootDecide
HandDecide
EyeDecide
ShoulderDecide
KneeDecide
ENTDecide

and don't forget to tell your friends about AppsGoneFree.

Making Connections as a Fidgital Native

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:24:00 +0000

Today, I connected the ideas of three distinct authors writing words 10 years apart from one another, on different platforms. Below, I use my voice, to highlight the connection I made between two invented terms: 'screenager' and 'fidgital'.

Consideration of that connection, led me to a new term: 'Fidgital Native'. I wonder if that phantom vibration in a student's pocket will be used as diagnosis?

So, what did I connect?
Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today's Pop Culture is Actually Making us Smarter by Steven Johnson
Welcome to Generation "Fidgital" by Katie Mcdonough
Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants by Marc Prensky

Does this lead you to consider any related connections you'd like to share?

Wheelchair Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:32:00 +0000

My colleague Jim Pedrech may not realize it, but his sharing of a recent TED Talk has reminded me that the technology at our fingertips needs to be leveraged for tasks yet unimagined. Just as Sue Austin has experienced something extraordinary thanks to a blend of assistive technologies, we need to encourage our students to use modern tools to invent, rather than to re-create.

After viewing my take, be sure to to take a few minutes to reward yourself by dreaming with:
Sue Austin: Deep Sea Diving... in a Wheelchair

The Secret to Finding 'Good' Free Apps

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:41:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered how folks know when good apps suddenly become 'free'? My secrets are revealed in this short video.

Resources mentioned in this brief podcast include Free App Alert and AppsGoneFree. It's also worth visiting Appolicious.com if you want to see which apps folks recommend, whether paid or free.

What's your source for finding apps that fit needs you never knew you had?

Microphone Extension

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:31:00 +0000

There are more than a few benefits to having an extended range microphone connected to your recording device. Items mentioned in this video include:

3.5mm MICROPHONE ADAPTER FOR iPad iPod iPhone;
10 METRE TIE CLIP LAPEL LAVALIER ELECTRET MICROPHONE.

Niji Sousaku: Secondary Creativity

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:24:00 +0000

It all started when I read this Wired Magazine article about Hatsune Miku. I'm sure you'll be interested to see the recorded 'live' performance that resulted when creatives, building upon the work of one another, brought Hatsune to life.

The Power of Hand-Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:44:00 +0000

A story about McMaster medical students being welcomed to the profession by hand-written letters has me wondering what might happen if practicing teachers took to the pencil or pen more regularly. There is wisdom in sharing a legacy of ideas via the written word... with colleagues, with students; perhaps to inspire those new to the profession.

One Million Tweet Map

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:35:00 +0000

Want to really get an idea of what's happening in the world... as it happens? Watch tweets in real time as they appear on a map of the world via ~~One~~ Two Million Tweet Map.

What might you track this way?

* uprising in a foreign country (neighbouring countries)
* natural disaster (flood, earthquake, ice storm)
* social event (television show, party)
* major sporting event (SuperBowl, Olympics)
* conference hashtag (#ISTE, #unplugd)
* school community (zoom in on your school)
* global holiday (New Year's Eve)
* famous places (Disney World, the Louvre)

A New Way to Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:42:00 +0000

K12Online: 7 Degrees of Connectedness

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:24:00 +0000

This week the K-12 Online Conference kicks into high gear with video presentations that cross four strands. If you know of any teachers who could use some mid-semester encouragement or motivation, please point them to the conference.

My presentation is based on 7 Degrees of Connectedness, and will go live in the "Getting Started" strand on Wednesday. This video was produced with the support of a few of my online colleagues whose stories weave in and out of the narrative. In short, my talk invites educators to foster authentic relationships by connecting with others through a range of social media tools.

What is it for you that leads you to pay closer attention to the learners in your network? Do you feel close to those colleagues you interact with, even if you've never met? Are you more attuned to those people whose voices are amplified because you met at a conference; exchanged stories; shared a meal? As our connections grow with online colleagues, we may find ourselves in qualitatively distinct relationships with co-learners. By sharing our ideas alongside details of our personal lives, we have a tendency to become more and more familiar to one another. Augment these connections with voices and imagery, and it can lead to deeper and more fulfilling connections. In this presentation Rodd Lucier (AKA The Clever Sheep), invites you to walk along with a few of his colleagues who join him in reflecting on how modern tools are impacting our online relationships. The concept of '7 Degrees of Connectedness' is introduced as one way to qualify the relationships we foster with online colleagues.
Presenter: Rodd Lucier Location: Komoka, Ontario, Canada

Increase the Achievement Gap

noreply@blogger.com (Rodd Lucier) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:12:00 +0000

The constant flood of articles and system goals that proport to 'close the achievement gap' has always left me a bit dismayed. Is the 'gap' really a problem that should be addressed?

My take is that we should actually aspire to the goal of increasing the achievement gap. We would be successful should our highest flyers manage to reach beyond the expectations of those who imagine and publish learning outcomes. Of course, we should celebrate the wonders of our most amazing students, not at the expense of other learners, but while we continue to help all learners achieve to their fullest potential. It's just that those with the greatest of potential, are rarely challenged to race beyond what most of their peers are capable of.

But too often, it's the gap that matters. While ignoring or impeding the learning of our brightest students is one way to decrease the achievement gap, there is another 'mathematical' way to bridge the difference: Play the shell game.

Secret Tips on Closing the Gap

In the province of Ontario, students enter either academic or applied streams of courses in grade 9. The academic courses are designed for kids who got the 'I do school well' gene; while the in theory, the applied courses are meant for learners who do better with concrete learning experiences. Locally developed courses are provided to meet the needs of students with functional deficits or intellectual challenges well beyond those of the average student.

When it comes to measuring achievement in mathematics, the Education Quality and Accountability Office or EQAO, tests HS students in grade 10. The results are reported for both academic and applied streams board by board, and school by school . So each school gets a report highlighting the percentage of learners who were successful in each type of course.

Want to 'reduce the gap'? The easiest way, is to reduce the number of kids taking academic courses. Think of it this way. Students in the high end of the applied courses, will naturally pull up the achievement rates for that group. But if these same learners are in the academic courses, they are more likely to pull down the results of that group, all while leaving the applied courses with fewer successful students.
So, if a school hides its modestly talented math test-takers under the shell of applied courses, then both the applied and academic classes are more likely to have higher passing rates. The academic courses will be filled with mostly high achieving math students, while the applied courses will benefit by having more students capable of passing the test.

Sure, we'd be increasing the gap within the applied courses, but we'd be decreasing the gap in the academic courses, and the resulting EQAO statistics might well make school administrators blush.

A Test Question?
Maybe this is just the type of 'authentic' math problem that should be on the EQAO test. My guess is that a few bright students would teach the system to spit out high enough passing percentages, that future students and teachers could save themselves from the stress of the test.

Photo credits: find x by dullhunk; bridge by Malcolm Surgenor