ijohnpederson

How tall isn’t the Eiffel Tower?

Dan Meyer posed this question in a recent online discussion. I haven’t been able to get this simple question out of my head since. This technique is probably introduced in day 2 of Teaching Inquiry 101 across every undergraduate teaching program in the world. I must have been absent that day.

Think about it. The right answer rarely interesting. Most can figure that out in a few seconds and move on. Equally uninteresting are the incorrect answers 10 feet and 10,000 feet. The beauty is all in the process of getting closer to what the correct answer probably is. Why do you think that is the right answer? How did you reach that conclusion? Where will you check to see if you are close?

This little exercise has helped me tremendously in rethinking the topic of online learning. Interestingly, my professional life is now affording me the opportunity to explore “online learning” in a completely new way. The boundaries of this new endeavor are more defined by what the right answers “aren’t” than what the right answer “is”. In a world of accountability where things are often times measured against the “right” answer, I have the chance to help the community explore online learning with few “right” answers to get in our way.

Example: “Blended learning!” The concept of blended learning isn’t a “right” answer that makes online learning effective. Even if we managed to get everybody on the same page regarding the effectiveness of a blended learning strategy, we’d probably only make an incremental step towards being where it is we need to be. It’s the same “Define technology!” and “Technology is just a tool!” conversations from the 1990’s and the “Students need 21st Century Skills™” drumbeat of the current decade.

I have the chance to lead people beyond “the big frickn’ wall” and advance thinking around online learning. “Blended learning!”, “Define technology!”, “Technology is just a tool!”, and “21st Century Skills™” are all places we end up with incremental improvements. We need to stretch further. The “big frickin’ wall” of having to nail the right answer isn’t an issue.

To borrow again from Dan Meyer, “WCYDWT?” What could you do with this? I’m looking for a bit of input here. What does “Where we need to be?” look like?

Eiffel Tower Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Incremental vs. Revolutionary Imrpovements Photo Credit: Kathy Sierra

If you and your teachers are not competing for students, you will lose them. Stay agile and lead boldly.

Jon Tanner talking about the skills necessary for 21st century superintendents on Twitter this morning.

A little fall garaofficing as well.

Here you go, Jen.

Tuula Pederson knows that we are simply here to serve her needs. You can see it in the eyes.

This Internet thing is going to be big someday.

The fact is, (today’s) proceeding will help determine the Internet’s future as the world’s ultimate platform for innovation, economic growth, and free expression. Now is the time to have a full, open, transparent dialogue between the American people and their policymakers.

Google Public Policy Blog: What’s at stake at the FCC this morning?

We’re ready to engage in this important policy discussion.

…and by “engage”, we mean “let’s kick AT&T’s ass.” At least I hope.

Google Public Policy Blog: Finding common ground on an open Internet

“I support blended learning…” is the new “Technology is just a tool…”

Only useful in the following situations…

A) Needlessly prolonging any sort of meeting
B) Politely wrapping up an awkward cocktail party discussion about what it is you do

Gladly taking user comments.

Dear Lars,

When this becomes a 7th grade required science project, use this as proof that you already did it when you were 4 years old. Hopefully you are wearing matched clothes by then.

I looked for the quote that summarized this entire story. The entire AP story was gold.

Grocery shoppers in Hayward got an unexpected surprise when a 125-pound black bear wandered inside and headed straight for the beer cooler.

The bear made his stop Friday night at Marketplace Foods in Hayward, walking through the automatic doors and heading straight into the liquor department.

The bear calmly climbed up 12 feet onto a shelf in the beer cooler where it sat for about an hour while employees helped evacuate customers and summoned wildlife officials.

Officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tranquilized the bear and took it out of the store. Store workers say the bear seemed content in the cooler and didn’t consume any alcohol.

Source: Bear walks into store, goes straight for beer cooler – JSOnline

Hamm’s Bear unrelated, provided for comedic effect. Seriously though. I’ve been to this place in Hayward before. Be jealous.

Thanks to @pseroogy for this heads up.

Today was one of my favorite days at the Madison Farmer’s Market. Snapped this awesome picture of a guy playing the…thing. Notice all three hands.

Bonus: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. The people that make these live next door to us.