Making New Connections to Change Old Perceptions

It is a given that if schooling undergoes the major redesign needed, it must be a systemic approach.  Yet, how many times have you heard teachers and administrators say they wish a board member, legislator or other policy maker could follow them around for a day?  That those folks who make the "rules" have no idea what it is like to be a teacher?  There is a huge gap between what is rendered as policy and what happens when that policy is translated into practice.  The most glaring example is how a desire for "accountability" has greatly narrowed the curriculum, killed creativity and innovation in the classroom, and made testing the be-all-end-all measure of a child's "success".  How do we turn this tide so that educators and the students in today's classrooms are able to create, collaborate, and connect with each other in new and meaningful ways, with the technology tools available to all?  In Will Richardson's article published this month in Edutopia, he writes

Welcome to the Collaboration Age, where even the youngest among us are on the Web, tapping into what are without question some of the most transformative connecting technologies the world has ever seen. These tools are allowing us not only to mine the wisdom and experiences of the more than one billion people now online but also to connect with them to further our understanding of the global experience and do good work together. These tools are fast changing, decidedly social, and rich with powerful learning opportunities for us all, if we can figure out how to leverage their potential.

One way we can begin to leverage their potential is for educators to connect with policymakers and let them "follow them around" via Twitter.  It is a small step but one that can prove useful for all involved.  I have added legislators to the list of people I follow on Twitter and have made some connections myself.  Whatever your political views, it is important for policy makers to hear your voice and Twitter is a great way to start.  The SC legislators that use Twitter--some often, others less frequently--are Nathan Ballentine, James Smith, Anton Gunn, Dan Hamilton, and Shannon Erickson.  On the congressional level, you can follow Jim DeMint.  I have made overtures to Joel Lourie and Kathy Harvin but so far no luck.  If you know of others not listed, please add them to the comments. 

The more we can connect and converse with each other, the  more opportunities we have to transform the way we teach and learn.  Especially if the policy makers are also using the same tools we are and experiencing what it means to truly collaborate.  As Will Richardson says, "The process of collaboration begins with our willingness to share our work and our passions publicly -- a frontier that traditional schools have rarely crossed."   Let's make the bold leaps to cross that frontier.

 

Update:  On a recent blog post,  Nathan Ballentine has listed several legislators that are using social media to connect with their constituents.  Check it out and add it to your reader!