School is no longer constrained to how far the bus can travel in the morning

I love this slide (courtesy of Dean Shareski and John Pederson). Click on the image for a larger version.

School is no longer constrained to how far the bus can travel in the morning. Schools will be last to notice.

Photo credit: The School Bus

Comments

[Russ Goerend]

1.

For how many schools in the state of Iowa is that statement true, Scott?

The first "school" should be replaced by "learning". Then it would make sense. As it stands, it's just a pipe dream.

[Dean Shareski]

2.

Russ,

Schools could perhaps be "education" or as you suggest "learning". I guess the idea with using schools, (it's John's quote, not mine by the way) is that points to the space that we have traditionally seen as the place where learning happens. Learning has never, ever been dictated by space but school has. Recognizing that this is no longer the case helps to more clearly see the shifts many of us have seen for a while.

[Russ Goerend]

3.

Hi Dean,

I guess the idea with using schools, (it's John's quote, not mine by the way) is that points to the space that we have traditionally seen as the place where learning happens.

That may be the case, but it hasn't been true for a long time. That's why we need to stop equating the two.

Learning has never, ever been dictated by space but school has. Recognizing that this is no longer the case helps to more clearly see the shifts many of us have seen for a while.

It is still the case, though. "Schools" are very much still constrained by buses. Ask any Superintendent in the state about what happens to school when the blizzards come. "School" gets canceled.

The sooner we recognize that "school" and "learning" are not the same, the better off we'll be.

[Mike]

4.

I feel like this slide speaks to me, too, teaching in Northern New England.

You'd think that, in a world with technology in abundance, we'd be working harder to expand our classrooms beyond the walls of our school.

Snow days should be renamed 'out of class learning days'. I feel like teachers have the tools to take advantage of this lost time and recover it.

[Russ Goerend]

5.

David Warlick's #1 and #2 on his resolutions get to what I feel is the point I've been attempting to make.

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/?p=2135

"School" is still constrained. It's the learning that's not constrained. That's why I'm not wasting much energy worrying about what school has or hasn't figured out. I'm focusing on the learning.

Mike,
Every day should be renamed a "learning day." That might help to quell this notion that school is more than just a place where learners get together.

[Dean Shareski]

6.

Russ,

i'm not arguing against the use of those concepts. In fact, I've been using the terms learning and learner to substitute for schools and student quite a bit. Part of our work is to help others make that transition. The image might be useful in moving that conversation. In fact, you've pretty much articulated the discussion that you could have jumping off the photo. I think people need to see things in their current context. School buses and schools are what people are familiar with, trying to jump to quickly to virtual spaces might scare some folks off. Again, depending on the audience you're trying to reach.

[Russ Goerend]

7.

Using this slide as a jumping off point is something that did not occur to me. I have an idea for just when to use it in that way. Thanks for continuing the conversation, Dean.