Digital Divide

Postcode lottery is only the start of it. If we really are citizens of the world then let's do something each and every day to bridge a divide by forgoing wants for others' needs. £500 builds a whole school library in Namibia.

Food for thought. And with that thought come ideas and solutions to build from.
We are one planet, and it's only as one planet that we can create a better future.

Translation+

Is the learning in the meaning, or the meaning in the learning?
As Hucklow Primary gear up to go live they have translated the school's positive values into some of the languages spoken in school. Here's the Urdu version.

And here's the interesting thing; as we start to discuss whether the Urdu translation has EXACTLY the same meaning as the english words we start to uncover hidden meaning, and hidden clues. 'Keeping Calm' translates more like 'keeping yourself in one part (not falling apart). With all the languages in the world, is there, I wonder a word that means EXACTLY the opposite of 'Bully'?

And if there is, then let's start spotting that behaviour and using the word.

All together

I've just finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's 'Outliers'. The penultimate chapter shines a light on the importance of all year round learning. This means a 52 week calendar and active support for all children through those long periods out of school.

Gladwell cites test scores which show low income household children actually outperform their high income peers IN TERM but when the vacation comes they fall far behind. No more comfy academic years for school advisors and local authority consultants if we mean business. . . check out this link: http://www.gladwell.com/outliers/index.html

What became clear reading Outliers is the importance of someone having belief in you as a young person, and in them gently offering you experiences to develop abilities in subtle ways (such as the ability to express your needs in front of your GP) If only every child were afforded such a start in life. And that is exactly what Gladwell says is possible.

Who links here?

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Tag Clouds

Not quite the early innovator, but wanted to test out tag clouds for a city-wide project. Planning to put tag clouds to a good use. Watch this space as things progress. . .

tag cloud

It's in the detail

Hucklow Primary school are gearing up for a launch in the new year. Lots of love and care going into the process. Children have an uncanny ability to know when people around them really care. Parents, staff and school council all working together to make something special. Can't wait for January.

Leadership in action

At last I get to see the wonderful Leadership academy pupils at Sheffield's Parkwood Academy in action. What a fabulous experience; peer-led activities throughout the school, pupils clearly respecting their peers and having a great time in the process.
'Living our values' gets a bit over-used these days as a phrase, but here for sure every one of the school's values were in evidence. Brilliant stuff.

Giving gets the thumbs up

6th form students at Bishop Challoner college in Birmingham are loving being Praise Pod interviewers, and their demand for more sessions is testament to the positive spirit of the college, and their embracing of new ideas.

Big thanks to Sonya Thomas for playing an instrumental part in introducing something new, and to all the staff who have embraced this new technology to compliment the outstanding work of the college.

Not long ago there were only blackboards. Then a few brave educationalists tried out interactive whiteboards. Now they are the norm. As for stickers, come to Bishop Challoner and you'll get a glimpse of the future: a sticker that talks, and can be shared with family and friends.

Cor, what values!

What an uplifting morning at Arbourthorne Primary school; the formal launch of eight core values which connect throughout the whole school community. An amazing assembly celebrated staff, pupils and parents alike, and all with an infectious energy that inspires dreams.
This is the school's main entrance, complete with wonderful display (and a perfect location for the praise pod)

Mind blowing power

Now this might be a lot of nonsense, but somehow I doubt it. At a click of a button the Praise Pod website gets translated into any language - this one is in Hungarian. Now the question is, do we take it as given that the translation is accurate and not misleading. Just as we might take it as a given that a Google search (or any other search engine for that matter) generates an accurate result. . .

I'd worry if there wasn't an option to 'offer a better translation.' That's what open source collaboration is all about. If only more people saw it as their right (and even their duty) to contribute to an open source conversation. And not just about software development. This is about domocratisation of every subject; technical or not.

connect, connect,connect

Was the BBC right to give Nick Griffin air time to voice his views?
Was he bullied by a non-representative panel?
Should we feel reassured by the free speech that we heard?
Or worry that it will fuel fires?

One thing is for sure; the more we connect with people who come from different backgrounds, or have different perspectives, the more we are able to find common ground, harmony and understanding.

I had the great pleasure of visiting Hucklow primary school today and hearing how they are forging links with a school in Karachi. Looking forward to hooking up praise pods in both schools to learn about life from another point of view.

Pen pals is still a lovely thing to get involved in, but why not harness Web 2.0 to connect and give children a real global perspective. Check here for one source of funding. . .

It's all about motivation

It's antibullying week soon, and the focus is Cyber-bullying. So let's not lose sight of the fact that the vast majority of people use technology for good reasons. I'm not inserting 'young' before 'people' because let's face it, bullying is not just a youth issue.
I recently re-connected (via Facebook) with an old school friend by the name of Toby Tanser. 25 years has passed since we knew each other, and without the internet there's no reason why I'd have known what he was up to. Turns out he now runs 'Shoe4Africa.' They are raising funds for the first Childrens Teaching Hospital in Kenya. A few e-mails later and a proposal is ready to put something together in the UK to raise a shed load of cash for this great goal.
Without social networking tools this kind of thing would hardly be imaginable, but now all I can think about is squeezing the last ounce of connective power from the internet to help Toby make that particular dream a reality.
Yes, bad things happen in cyberspace, but many, many more good things happen, and fast! Which is important if you you live in Kenya and have a sick child. Check their website and get involved. Blatant plug? Absolutely!

Praise backlash

Thankfully recent dabate is not about what size cane is the more effective but what constitutes meaningful praise versus fake, coercive forms. Alfie Kohn's examination of praise identifies golden rules for avoiding falling into invisible traps, and losing sight of what really matters.

If we need to consult to avoid any doubt then let's take more time to listen to children. They invariably know when someone is genuine, and will respond in kind. And let's not ever lose our sense of intuition; going with a gut feeling and doing what feels right. Yes, let's make sure we label the behaviour not the person etc, but let's not become too mechanical or forget the fact that positive attention is infinitely better than negative attention, or else a self-fullfilling prophecy might just knock on our doors.

Can't we just say 'well done!' and leave it there?

It's that week again; exam results for thousands of hard working students across the country. And again the results have improved. So what's the problem with all this doubt and suspicion? A week earlier Usain Bolt ran the fastest ever 100m to universal acclaim. Where were the doubting voices- track must be returning more energy, shoes more elastic, timing equipment more audible. . .

Nowhere to be heard. The media simply sat back and said Wow! So why can't we do that for our young people. For everyone who's worked hard and got the results they deserve take yourself on a virtual trip to the praise pod (unless you have a real one in your school) and big yourself up. And well done Mr. Bolt. Breathtaking stuff.

Wheels within wheels

Can't help referring back to a previous entry and Richard Villa's mention of the Lakota circle of courage- pre-dating Every Child Matters (and Maslow for that matter) by many, many years this model would be hard to match as a template to drive social and emotional aspects of learning, not to mention a as a tool to reverse the materialism, social divide and decline in mental wellbeing in some of the world's most prosperous nations.

The benefit of Foresight

Big thanks to Dr Catherine Wright for bringing this research to my attention- like a 3-D Every Child Matters, and schematics that leave no stone unturned.  I can't imagine a better model to give permission for so many people to do what they have always known in their hearts makes sense, and makes a difference.  From housing to husbands, from diet to dreams; it's all there in the mix.

Too often policy is perceived as an elaborate 'out there' schema, yet more and more policy seems to be giving permission for individuals to take small, daily actions that will make a difference.  And isn't it true; every time a child is acknowledged for a positive action the mean curve of human esteem is pushed just that little bit along in the right direction.  Mass prevention impacting on minorities and majorities alike; by daily deeds and thoughts. . . 

All you need is love

There have been lots of conversations this week about what we, as educators, should be reinforcing in young people.  Schools have their core values, mission statements and SEAL- derivations to help provide a framework.  Then I watched This 18 minute film, and it stopped me in my tracks. Dames Gisimba concludes with his hope for education- teach love and irradicate hatred.  Achieve this simple aim and the rest is a bonus.

The film focuses on Damas Gisimba, director of a small orphanage in Rwanda that was besieged by militias during the 1994 genocide. Learn how Gisimba, with the help of American aid worker Carl Wilkens, managed to protect, care for, and save some 400 people.

Dilemmas and positions

Thanks to Hannah Frankel for putting together a very thought-provoking piece in today's TES on the topic of praise. 'Good For You' (on page 18 of the glossy) click here for the on-line article: why not add a comment. . .

Praise vs. Encouragement? Seems we are often thrown into adversarial positions when deep down we are all wanting similar things for young people.

For example I had a conversation today about restorative practice; I ended up posing the question,

"Which is more important, knowing how to listen to someone else's point of view or understanding about fractions. Maths v. PSHE; bring it on!

Of course there are valid arguments for both: lack of empathy can ultimately lead to warfare- ok, but having not a clue about fractions can lead to economic hardship and poverty. Has anyone seen those Buy As You View vans driving around housing estates?

A few years ago I was working with a family who had installed their coin-box operated system. I asked what the APR was- having explained what 'APR' meant I found it was rather high to say the least.

Today, with the Bank Of England Base Rate at an all time low the APR is . . . . . 49.9%

Here's the link to their site.

In a world where everyone understood what 49.9% APR really meant more people might have change left over to buy a book for bedtime to read to their child, or to put a good meal on the table. And then sit and have the stomach to listen to someone else's point of view.

So let's not talk about Maths v. PSHE any more. Let's find ways of working together and give full expression to all of our passions (be they for Maths, History, Sport or PSHE) to make education an intoxicating blend of content, challenge, warmth and humour.

“The driving mission of this new department is to break out of the false divide between, on the one hand, policies to promote educational achievement, and on the other hand, policies to promote well-being.” Ed Balls 2007.

maybe, together, we can make this happen?

Pass it on!

Simply taking the time to pass on good news is priceless. It doesn't matter how; as long as we do.

I came across this post-it note in the middle of SATS week- a wonderful learning mentor taking the time to let a teaching colleague know about how well an ex-pupil is doing on reintegration to mainstream school.

What else do you see in schools that tells you there is a positive culture? Have a look at the new praise pod site and join the forum. This is a behavioural action plan in the making.

Power and perspectives

Who sets the agenda?
What constitutes 'good behaviour'?
who decides?
and if we're working together; who sets the agenda?

Check Tom Cavanagh's blog post for another angle on collaboration. Makes me want to re-examine the idea of 'voice and influence' in schools. One of my daughters informed me that the school council wasn't meeting because the teacher in charge was off sick. Oooh I wonder what decisions would have been made in their absence if 'voice' and 'influence' were not separate notions. . .