Archive for January, 2010

My Magic Pen

January 20th, 2010 by Phoebe Bailey

I remember the first time I heard Bill Daggett speak.  It was probably ten years ago when I was beginning my job at an education service center in Arkansas.  One of the upcoming innovations he discussed was a “magic pen.”  He described this as a computer in a pen.  My first thought was that if such a pen were already invented, I’d buy one!  I was about to return to school for an administration certification and thought how much easier such a pen would make my life.

Fast forward seven years.  The magic pen was a reality and I had my first experience with one.  It was not favorable.  I was on an audit team that was piloting the use of a digital pen to upload observation data.  The pen doubled our work!  First, we took classroom observation and interview notes on regular paper; then, we had to rewrite everything on special paper provided with the digital pen.  The problem was aggravated by kinks in the software.

Given that negative experience, I was in no hurry to try out later versions of the magic pen.  My attitude changed, however, at the NECC 09 conference.  I was trying to recall something the keynote speaker had said when a friend of mine whipped out his digital pen, touched it to paper, and out came the speaker’s voice!  This magic pen had not only captured the text but also the audio of the presentation.

Now that is a computer in a pen.  I bought one and love it.  It helps me never miss a word and records everything I hear, say and write, as well as providing links between my audio recordings and my notes.  It has become a life saver in our board meetings.  It is very helpful for clarifing motions and makes taking minutes simple.  Our content specialists use it in demonstration lessons with teachers to model student interviews.

And new functions keep coming.  Recently launched apps help you with such tasks as translating phrases into other languages, checking facts on all sorts of subjects, listening to classical music, and even playing a guitar.  I look forward to continuing to learn more uses for my “magic pen!”  (Oh, in case you were wondering, mine is a “Pulse” pen by Livescribe; view it and other brands here.)

Posted in Productivity | 4 Comments »

Creativity and Innovation: Voices Waiting In The Wings?

January 4th, 2010 by Thom Dunks
Original photocollage by Thom Dunks

Original photocollage by Thom Dunks

Over the span of thirty years in school administration I have watched with great interest the tides of educational reform flow and then ebb.

During this first decade of the new century, we’ve heard a loud and persistent clamber for accountability from policy makers and the media alike.  Consistently, they prescribe more and more collection and analysis of linear data with the focus on mathematics and literacy skills.

Yet among the myriad of voices advocating change, there are some who share a different vision, who offer very persuasive notions about the crucial need for a new and welcome emphasis on creativity and innovation.

The research of Christopher Dede of Harvard University is receiving global attention in the quest for designing reform that will adequately prepare the next generation for the 21st Century.  The opening sentence of his profile on the university’s web page states the following:  “Chris Dede’s fundamental interest is the expanded human capabilities for knowledge creation, sharing, and mastery that emerging technologies enable.”  To paraphrase Dr. Dede,  If we were to start new schools from the ground up, would we replicate the current model of the industrial age?

Sir Ken Robinson speaks to audiences throughout the world on the changing needs of business, education, and organizations in the new global economies.  He continues to build a foundation in the promotion of creativity and innovation in teaching and learning.  His findings and perspective on the topic have been published in his two most recent books, Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative (2001) and The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (2009).

The ideas and works of Daniel Pink address the needs of our future economy and society.  He sees the future belonging to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind—creative, empathic “right brain” thinkers.  In the extraordinary book, A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule The Future (2005) his publisher footnotes that “Drawing upon research from around the advanced world, Daniel Pink outlines the six fundamentally human abilities that are essential for professional success and personal fulfillment—and reveals how to master them.”

Author and columnist Thomas Friedman writes extensively about Education, the Economy, the Environment, and Technology in these modern times.  I found a recent editorial entitled, The New Untouchables to be a very relevant compass in this search for new directions and expanded strategies.

This period in modern American Education is at its most significant crossroad.   For the past two decades, educational leaders and futurists had predicted that the 21st Century would mark a significant paradigm shift in the landscape of teaching and learning.  We are now 10 years into that new century, awaiting signs of tangible reform and innovation.  I would advocate that the time is now to pay close attention to those voices in the wings.  The urgency to innovate and create new models is very present.

Posted in Pondering | 3 Comments »