Category: Thoughts (Page 16 of 18)

The promise of open textbooks has been around for a while now. The promise includes textbooks that are written specifically for the needs of K-12. These books would also be available at either no cost or a very low cost (if printed). These books would leverage the contributions of great teachers around the country (or world). By everyone doing a little, great work would be available. These resources are frequently referred to as OER (Open Educational Resources).

There has been some work done. College seems to be ahead of K-12 so far. (Though given what my daughters paid for textbooks over the past five years, open textbooks are definitely not the norm). In 2013, the Affordable College Textbook Act was introduced in Congress (the last action was referred to committee in November of 2013). Even though that bill hasn’t been passed into law, there are at least some options available for colleges to use. Below are some examples of college focused open textbooks resources:

Examples:

• Boundless
• Open Stax
• Saylor
• Open Textbook Store
• Community College Consortium for Open Educational Resources
• Flat World Knowledge

There really is basically one big player in the K-12 arena:

• CK-12

California and Utah did both start initiatives around 2012-2013 to bring open textbooks to their students. The Utah Open Textbook Project seems to have fizzled out around 2013 ( the latest post on the web site). Utah also has an Utah Education Network with some references to open textbooks, but these seem to all be dated 2013 as well. California was working on an open textbook initiative in the 2013 year as well. However, there doesn’t seem to be any real movement since 2013. The California Open Source Textbook Project doesn’t really have any dates on the web site, but seems to have last been updated in 2013. There are no downloads available on their site. (California does seem to have continued to work on open textbooks at the college level. MERLOTx has links to open textbooks and was last updated in 2014. California has established the California Learning Resource Network, but this seems to have a different function. A quick search provided links to resources that required a subscription.

I’ve been following open textbooks for several years now. I really did believe that we were on the right track around 2013. I was waiting and hoping that we’d see some real movement. I was hoping that we’d see some people in power take the reins and truly provide some leadership to change things up.

David Johnson over at The Michigan Open Book Project has seen much more success. He has worked through the 22i TRIG program to garner the funding to create open source textbooks. So far, they have written and published four textbooks:

• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Economics

These have been paid for using State grant money. There is a plan and some funding in place to continue developing additional books. This is a great start.

So, what is the future? How can we restart these initiatives? I still believe that this could be very powerful. Open source textbooks could provide even better resources at a much cheaper price. Note that open source textbooks don’t have to be all digital. Utah was able to print their open source textbooks at under $5 each.

We need some leaders to make this a priority. This would work best at a state or county level. We need some economy of scale. If a county would get together and charge each district one dollar per student, then that money could be leveraged to provide open source textbooks at a reduced cost. Recently retired teachers could be employed using that money to produce the textbooks. Or, districts could utilize teachers who are released for one hour a day to work on textbooks. This is not an unsolvable problem. The economics can work out to save districts money immediately and long term.

We just need some leadership. A couple of states started. Let’s get back on track.

Great tools matter. I like to joke that my daughter made me buy a fountain pen. Actually, it was both daughters. My oldest daughter let me write with her new fountain pen. I really liked the feel and the result of the pen. I had always thought that fountain pens were old fashioned. I thought that they were very troublesome to use. I was wrong. I chatted with my youngest daughter. She put together a wonderful chart that described the pros and cons of a variety of fountain pens. After our discussion, I ordered a TWSBI 580 and a variety of ink colors.

I found myself taking more care with my writing. Although my handwriting is certainly nothing to, um, write home about, it is much more legible now. The care that I’m taking is producing tangible results. I’ll continue to work on penmanship as well. The tool does make a difference.

I’ve long known this. I’ve always purchased good tools – tools in the literal sense. I have a toolbox full of Craftsman tools that I know that I can rely on. I knew when I bought them, that I was buying tools that would last.

This is one of the reasons that I’m a big proponent of Moodle. Moodle is a great tool. Moodle is the tool that I know that I’ll be able to continue to count on to provide online learning. It may not be the flashiest tool. There may be some expense in terms of learning how to use Moodle, but, in the end, it remains a powerful tool that will serve me well.

I’m a convert to the fountain pen world. I really do like to find the right tool. Some things just feel right. When you find those things, treasure them. Great tools matter.

I’m part of a top twenty podcast (breaking news, I’m part of a top 5 podcast). You see, I co-host Middle School Matters with the fantastic Mr. Shawn McGirr. We’ve been hosting, producing, recording and posting the podcast since August of 2007. That’s seven and a half years of podcasting. We’ve posted over 300 shows. I’m proud of the work that we’ve done. The podcast has allowed me to meet people that I wouldn’t have met. I’ve learned from people that I never would’ve crossed paths with. I’ve had the opportunity to interview some really great people.

Truth be told, it takes a little bit of magic to actually be a top 5 podcast. First of all, you have to be just a little bit creative with your search. If you just search for podcasts, you won’t find our special show. But, if you look at the Education category, well…. OK. Just looking at the Education category won’t quite do it either. But, if you look at the Educational Technology section, there we are, currently number five on the “What’s Hot” scroll bar. If you check out the K-12 category, we are in the top 20. If you do just a bit more magic, say, look for the top podcast that is hosted by two guys and appears in the Educational Technology and K-12 categories, then we have the top podcast. But who is going to think about that?

The show is focused around middle level educational tools, strategies, resources and humor. Lots of humor. Mostly middle level humor. Many of the topics and resources are applicable to other grade levels, but Shawn and I both are middle level educators at heart. We record the show almost weekly (sometimes life happens). We love when we get feedback.

George Couros has written about Personal and Professional vs Private and Public and how these relate to students and teachers. I like Mr. Couros. I don’t always agree with him, but I think that he does a terrific job of raising conversations. He does this very professionally.

It is important to understand the definitions here. The “personal” is an account that is used with friends and family. The “professional” is the center around the professional work that you do. I have talked to many teachers about having these two accounts (and being very, very careful about which one that you are using). Mr. Couros argues for a different construct: private versus public.

What I am always aware of is that no matter who sees what I put out there, anyone can see it eventually, whether if it is through me or someone else.

• George Couros

Please note that he doesn’t disparage having different accounts. It is just not a methodology that he follows. He notes several examples of personal account postings that have had disastrous professional effects. There are many others, not necessarily related to education. Justine Sacco’s life was severely altered by a single tweet. Thus is it crucially important for users to understand that anything posted, even if posted on a “private” account, is still a public posting.

Here I completely and totally agree with Mr. Courcos. We need to help teachers and students understand that absolutely anything that is posted, no matter where, can be made public. Oh, and it can be made public forever. Just because it doesn’t become public right away doesn’t mean that it never will.

Where we diverge slightly is in choosing one or the other. I believe that is important for teachers to understand both debates. Everyone should know that conversations online are public. But, everyone should also understand that there are different audiences for messages. There is no need to unwittingly push the debate where it shouldn’t be pushed. Oh, and it is also important for users to understand what is public and what is private. Frequently, this becomes Facebook is private and Twitter is public. No. It is far more nuanced than that.

However, knowing the intended audience is an important skill and message that we need to teach and understand. There are many things that may be public knowledge, but that one doesn’t need to broadcast to the public. Teachers are in a tenuous place with this. They need to be wise about what they are posting and where. (See Mr. Couros post for some horrific examples.) There are many others in a similar situation. Police personnel, doctors, and elected officials need to be wise as well.

I’m really glad that Mr. Couros has continued this conversation. I hope that educators everywhere will read and discuss the article so that they can make informed choices.

One of my beautiful daughters and I thought that we would take a class together. We talked about a digital photography class. I searched through the Community Education courses that were available, but there were no digital photography classes available. Darn. Then I started looking at Community College courses. After a good bit of searching, and I do mean a good bit, I found a class that would work at Wayne County Community College District. The class is on the weekend – perfect. I bookmarked the course using Diigo, and figured that I would ask my daughter if the time/place/course would work. Good thing that I bookmarked the course, because when I went back to find it, well, that was frustrating. I clicked on my bookmark manager and found the course again right away. (Lesson #1 – Diigo rocks.)

So, daughter and I are ready. It’s late at night, so no way to register. Next day, I call the number prominently featured in the brochure (right by “call to register”). A very nice lady answers. I ask about registering for the Continuing Education course. She very nicely informs me that I can register by mail, by coming to the campus, or on-line. Great, I say. I’ll register on-line. After all, I’m pretty competent with using the Internet. Except. The only online registrationa that I can find is for existing students who are apparently taking program courses. Thus, I call back. The same lady answers the phone. We exchange pleasantries again, she really was a nice lady. She offers to help me register online. I follow her instructions, clicking on each link as she explains it. An extremely convoluted process that ends up – right where I was earlier to register. (Apparently, I was able to get there much easier the process that she had). However, I still needed a student number in order to continue. Oh, well, she explains, I’ll have to come to the campus in order to register. I ask about registering over the phone. After all, this is just a fun class. Neither my daughter nor I expect credit of any type. Plus, the cost of the class is obviously not a credit class. She lets me know that I’ll have to come to the campus to register.

She then explains that they are open until 7 p.m. Would I like to make an appointment, she asks? Not really, I say. If they are open until 7, can’t I just show up. Oh, well, they have some problems when people show up after 5, but before 7, she nicely explains. OK. So, you’ve just identified that your own employees don’t stay until they are supposed to stay. But still, I don’t really want to make an appointment. Did I mention that this is a class that I just want to take for fun? This should be a low stress experience where I give them money and they let me attend a class. No real paperwork after that. No credit. No transcripts. Just a fun class.

So, I leave work a bit early for the 26 minute drive to campus to register for the fun class. Only there is traffic. Lots of traffic. (Side note, God Bless people who make this trip through traffic every day). The 26 minute trip turns into a 70 minute trip. I arrive a bit after 4:30 p.m. I enter Student Services to register for my fun class. The panicked lady who greets me quickly informs me that no one is here to help me register. I explain that I’m just registering for the Continuing Education class. I don’t need to know about programs or take the entry exam or anything. I laugh and note that I’m really just here to give them money. Panicked lady is not impressed with my humor and repeats that no one is here to register me.

OK. So, I’m a little frustrated now. I’ve already spent time trying to register online. I’ve made two phone calls to register. I’ve now driven to a campus to register. Still nothing. There is a security desk just inside the door. I ask if the campus president has an office around. They ask why. I relate the story quickly. They are laughing out loud, they love the line of “I’m just trying to give you guys some money”. They direct me around the corner.

Entering this office, there is a secretary and a lady working at a large table. The secretary seems pretty dog gone bored by my story. (Late Friday is apparently not an enthusiastic time around this place). However, the lady at the table, asks me for my name and phone number. Apparently, my explanation of “if I were in charge, I’d want to know that people are this frustrated trying to register” struck a chord with her.

So, after trying to register online, after a couple of phone calls, after visiting the campus, I’m still not registered for the class. I may try to go again on Monday. After all, I’m in this far. The class sounds like my daughter and I would have a good time with it.

However, the “customer service” that I’ve experienced thus far leads me to want to avoid going through this again. I doubt that I am alone.

Snowy walkway

Due to a good amount of snow, a bit over ten inches, school was cancelled for today. I spent a bit of time shoveling the white fluffy stuff and more. But what is a day off now? Not only did I spend time shoveling, but a good bit of time working as well.

First off, email. Email doesn’t seem to every slow down or stop. So the email keeps flowing. I kept up with email from home. A few really important ones were addressed. A few of the emails revolved around web based activities. Thus, I was able to completely take care of those. Adjusting web settings, correcting some access permission settings and updating information can be done from anywhere I have a web connection. Thus, all of those things were completed on my day “off”.

Next up, content creation. Since I use Moodle, I can add, correct, change, hide/show, etc. any of the content on courses. This can be very handy. Again, the key is an Internet connection. Of course, I can also control the content delivery. As Liz Kolb pointed out on Twitter, there is no snow day for on-line courses.

Next, I did get to address a few things on my “to-do” list. Again, mostly the things that I could get done were web based activities. I took advantage of the opportunity to do a little bit of research on a variety of topics. I also took a little bit of time to organize some of the media that is available on-line. Then, I took just a bit of time to review some setting for various web sites that I manage. All little things that constantly are pushed to the “someday” list. It was nice to resolve some of these issues. Finally, I did get a chance to do a cleaning of the to-do list as well.

Lastly, I did a little bit of general cleaning about the house. Good things to get done. I would’ve liked to do a bit more reading (old fashioned paperback that I reading), but maybe tonight.

I’m not sure how this compares to snow days of years gone by, but I do know, that for better or worse, more work was completed today on a “day off” than would’ve been done in the past.

Since one of my daughters attends the University of Virginia, I get to go to Virginia every once in a great while. You may not know this, but Thomas Jefferson is pretty big around there. (This is kind of like saying that Henry Ford is “kind of big” in Dearborn, MI). Things tend to follow a tradition at UVA. That is, things tend to be done the way Thomas Jefferson wanted them done. One of those traditions is that students are referred to by their year in school. Thus, students are a “first year”, “second year”, “third year”, instead of a freshman, sophomore, junior, etc.

I love traditions. Especially when there isn’t a clear, single “right” way to do something. (There are some things that are done in the name of “tradition” that are just wrong and shouldn’t be done. That would be a different topic than this though). Referring to students by year is a terrific tradition. Any “outsider” can easily understand the system, it clearly connotes a status. It allows for some level of being an insider, if someone ask you if your daughter is a “senior”, you know that they are an “outsider”, without being so obtuse that someone can’t quickly pick it up.

On my latest trip, I was thinking about how Thomas Jefferson would react to today’s society. My family woke up in Dearborn, MI one day and was in Charlottesville, Virginia in time for dinner. Given that in 1800, it would take about two weeks to make it from New York to Illinois, I’m pretty sure that Thomas Jefferson would marvel at how quickly and easily we travel. We were able to visit my daughter over the course of less than a week. Two days were spent traveling. Well, actually, less than two days. We spent part of the travel day to Virginia visiting with my daughter. We spent part of the travel day returning to Michigan to “catch up” from traveling.

Beyond physical travel, I wonder how Thomas Jefferson would react to the virtual travel that we undertake. We video conference with my daughter regularly. We get to see her face, see her emotions, her body language, hear the tone of voice, etc. Through the magic of FaceTime, or Google Hangouts, it is almost like being there with her. How would Thomas Jefferson have used these tools? How different would the founding of America have been with remote tools and remote travel so readily available?

When I was growing up, most of our heroes were athletes. I guess that is still the case. Of course entertainers are and have been “heroes” as well. Somewhere along the line, it became at least OK to be a Geek. (By the way, there is still an important distinction between a Nerd and a Geek. There is much debate over the differences and what those differences mean).

• Using Twitter to determine if you are a nerd or a geek
• Mathematical Equation
• How to Tell the Difference
• 9 Steps to tell the difference

Recently, there have been a couple of news items that relate to heroes. Tim Cook recently publicly acknowledged that he is gay. Bill Cosby has been facing accusations of rape. I think that both are significant.

Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple, Inc. Apple has become one of the darlings of popular culture. Apple is “cool”. The leader of Apple thus has some sway in popular culture. Apple recently bought Beats and brought in Dr. Dre to the company. Lots of kids use Apple products. Even more aspire to use them. Thus, Apple has a strong hold in mind share. Tim Cook has long been a private individual. He still is. He does point out in the article “Tim Cook Speaks Up”, that he doesn’t “seek to draw attention” to himself. Being the CEO of Apple makes that a very difficult task. At the same time, he also believes that he has benefitted from others who have blazed trails. Tim Cook publicly acknowledging that he is gay could very well help many kids who are dealing with that very discovery. It must make it easier to know that there is a man who happens to be gay who is running the most profitable and “coolest” company around. For an isolated teenager, this could be a piece of the puzzle that gives them hope. Mr. Cook adds some things in the article that I also think are important. He mentions for instance that he considers “being gay among the greatest gifts God has given” him. Many teenagers who are struggling with identification will be berated with their thoughts, feelings and considerations being “against God”. Hearing that it is the greatest gift that God has given Mr. Cook provides a counter argument. This is not to say that Mr. Cook’s letter will sway the entire world or America to being open-minded. It doesn’t mean that no teenagers will struggle with these decisions. However, it is another small step forward, another piece of evidence that we as a society are moving forward. When the CEO of the largest company in America, one dependent upon image and sales, can come out and say I’m gay, that is progress.

On the other hand, Bill Cosby is facing many allegations of rape. Bill Cosby was a hero to many. He had a great stand up comedy career. This was followed by a TV presence that was historical. Bill Cosby became just about everyone’s “Dad”. At least, he became the image of what a Dad could and should be. The Cosby Show transcended race. Although focused on an African American family, the show was watched and loved by all. It wasn’t an “African American” show, it was a show.

I was a Bill Cosby fan from early on. I still remember watching “Bill Cosby – Himself” on cable while getting ready to go to work. I was trying to eat dinner. Trying being the operative word. I had to give up and turn off the TV so that I could finish dinner and get to work. The Cosby Show was always entertaining too.

Bill Cosby was smart, funny and seem to have it all together. He seemed like a terrific role model. He seemed like a terrific role model for everyone. However, given that he is an African American, he filled an important role of demonstrating to African American males that there was a path to greatness. And that path was to do the right thing.

Now more than 20 women have come forward to say that they were drugged and sexually assaulted by Bill Cosby. While it is true that Mr. Cosby has not been found guilty in court, public opinion has found him guilty at this point. There is simply no way that Bill Cosby can be held up as a hero. Whether or not he is found guilty by a court, there is an indelible stain on The Cosby Show and his position as a role model.

Hero is a word that is frequently overused. Way over used. So maybe the correct terminology would be role model. Mr. Cook’s public letter is a shining light of hope. I can respect someone who says that they want to keep a private life. That they haven’t made a secret of their life, but that they would rather keep the focus on their job. Yet, Mr. Cook has acknowledged that he has benefitted from others and he hopes that others may benefit from his writing (though he still hopes to keep as much privacy as possible). Bill Cosby has gone in the other direction. He has gone from beloved to despised. From a role model to a monster.

Given some of the other stories in the news, especially those focusing on police brutality of African Americans, we could all use some more role models. Role models who are also African American would be especially important. Where is the Dr. Martin Luther King of this generation? We could certainly use one now.