Hey Babe..Want to go to Scottsbluff, Nebraska?

Hey Babe..Want to go to Scottsbluff, Nebraska?

I was invited to do a feature presentation in the middle of Feb. for the Educational Service Center and the S.O.A.R. group. My wife said she would pass on this one but she really missed an exciting and energizing group.

I want to thank Penny Businga, LaRrits Van Boskirk, and Craig Hicks for a great conference. Thanks Craig for setting up a Moodle server making Blogs and Wiki’s available to the 300 plus in attendance and the Educational Service Center that serves 25 school districts. Many came away with a good understanding of the 21st Century Skills and how to incorporate the newfound skills into the various classroom areas.

As with most of the conferences, I provide Keynotes or feature presentation to, I am always amazed at the small number of educators that are aware of 21st Century Skills but are not incorporating them in their classrooms. There reasons are many, some things that they cannot control. Technology Directors that want to control everything and lock out all sites that have anything to do with Web 2.0 applications, social networking and social bookmarking. They block the very things that we are trying to use to incorporate 21st Century skills in our classrooms. I understand the issues of filters and e-rate funding and making a safe network. But, why not take a different approach and teach our kids about what to do when you encounter an inappropriate site, teaching Internet Safety and inappropriate Material, Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying, Meaningful Consequences, how to search the Internet effectively, how to check vital information and the content, learn to think critically, even suspiciously, compare and contrast, why filters can be a false sense of security, inappropriate content and behavior, and what to do about accidental access to Porn.

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….big fella, you are getting on your bandwagon….I will address this in another session…….back to the S.O.A.R.Conference.

At the S.O.A.R. conference, I provided sessions on 21st Century and Changing the Classroom, Visual Literacy and Web 2.0 Skills in the Classroom.

The absolute best part of traveling around the country and spreading the “21st Century Gospel are the e-mails and phone calls that I received after the conferences…..I have 2 of the responses below from Beth Still..What a champion…she jumped in with both feet and is making a change in her district and with her students.

“Howie,
This is Beth Still. I met you at the Civic Center earlier today. I just wanted to say thanks again for such a fantastic day. Your presentation was wonderful! I will continue to try to be the "one out of ten" who strives for change. I was so excited about the ePal program that I already posted a profile.

Each time you asked who was using podcasting, blogs, wikis, etc. there were only a few of us in the room who raised our hands. Please do not think this means that we are not interested in teaching 21st century skills to our students. I am so fortunate to teach in a school (an alternative high school) where we have 15 computers in a classroom with 12 students per class.But that is not the case for many of my colleagues..

I will continue to work closely with Craig to implement different tools into my classroom. I will keep in touch as my students begin to experiment. I will see you this summer in San Antonio at the ISTE conference.

Beth Still

This is the BEST !!!!!!!
Howie,
Thank you for keeping in touch. I have to share one thing that I have done this week. Out of all of the suggestions you shared last week I was most intrigued with the ePals program. I immediately registered and posted a profile. I literally got Goosebumps when I sent my first international email-----which was to Greece. Over the last few days I have heard back from schools in Japan, Germany, and Colombia. By the end of the week several of my students will probably receive their first correspondence from their pen pals. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited my students are about this project! Thank you for telling me about it.

I will share more projects as we go.
Beth Still

Keep up the GREAT work Beth…..

Next...On to Galveston Texas and TxDLA

Howie...Where have you been????

My head is on overload…..so many events in the past months. I thought I would be watching the grass grow, watering the pants, playing golf and enjoying retirement. Little did I know how exciting my life would be after I retired January 31, 2008

I realized that I had not posted to the Blog in 6 months…SHAME on me…I advocate 21st Century Skills in the classroom and don’t keep my Blog up to date. Several conferences over the past 6 months have increased my airline miles but had prevented me from updating the Blog.. I will spend the next 2 weeks catching everyone up on the adventure of the “Emerging Technology Evangelist”.

The week of Feb.1,2008, found me in Austin, TX providing 3 days of hands on workshops. What a great group of teachers and administrators. Excited, energized, charged with enthusiasm and ready to set the work on fire. We looked at Global Communications via Building Learning Communities, created projects and then learned how to share them global. The second workshop included Visual Literacy and Digital story telling projects. Everyone created projects that told stories about their town, their favorites and a their best feature. We concluded with the third workshop on Web 2.0 and free software to use in the classroom.

In the Building Learning Communities Workshop we developed presentations that would provide background on six Community Projects and how to make a Global Connection. The projects allowed students to learn 21st Century skills and prepare them to meet the demands of the global community and engage them in mastering core curriculum skills. We discussed projects as models for driving education change and transforming educational institutions into model learning environments that cater to the broadest range of users and using collaboration tools.


In the Visual Literacy Workshop the participants now understand teaching, learning, and assessment strategies for working with the digital generation by creating Visual Literacy Projects. We helped them to interpret, use, appreciate, and create images and video using both conventional and 21st century media in ways that promote, advance thinking, decision-making, communication, and learning

In the Web 2.0 Workshop we discussed how Web 2.0 tools could translate traditional information skills for an information landscape into Web 2.0 application to use in the classroom. The participants discovered how Web 2.0 applications, Screencasting, e-pals communication projects, digital stories, Podcasts, Blogs, Wikis, handheld devices, and annotation software provide more engaging and collaborative personal computing environments for students and teachers, with emerging Web 2.0 development tools.
We created projects that involved social bookmarking and other classroom applications and discovered how to build an infrastructure for continual professional development
Our goal was to increase the awareness of educators with regard to Web 2.0 options and successful uses in classrooms in the U.S. as well as other countries.

Next POST…on to Nebraska

Eyes Closed Tight

Gordon Freedman recently published an article in e-school News- He asked the question:
Why is it that educators who wouldn't dream of buying their airline tickets or banking anyplace but online have not been able to transform education with technology?


I just completed a 21st Century Skills Presentation at FETC in Orlando. What a great group that attended. They were energized, enthusiastic and listened with open ears and hearts. There were so many e-mail with questions, praise and challenges , it charges my batteries even more and provides additional passion for me to "Change The World".

So......back the Mr Freedman's question... Why is it that we have only changed about 5 % of our classrooms to integrate 21st Century Skills.....TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

The New Adverture...The Last Lecture

Durango 9-R C.I.O. ends run at school district

DiBlasi winds up 14 year stint

After 14 years in Information Technology Management, Howie DiBlasi will leave Durango on Jan 15, 2007 to go traveling. And when he says traveling he means traveling. He has applied for a 3 month volunteer program in Italy, teaching college students on the Cruise Ship, Semester At Sea College program, enrolling in Siena , Italy Language School, spreading the word at seminars about 21^st Century Learning Tools for Schools, providing consulting on 21^st Century Workshops with Alan November and November Learning and try to complete 17 other items he has on his list.

DiBlasi’s successor is James Torres, who is the current e-learning coordinator for the school district. Torres brings extensive technology, education and leadership skills from the Albuquerque School District and Lorinix Systems. Torres will begin his new position Feb 1, 2008.

An avid outdoorsman who loves motorcycling, hiking, photography, skiing and travel to exotic locations, DiBlasi has dedicated himself professionally to the areas of , Education and Information Technology.

DiBlasi started work as a teacher in the area of Industrial Education in Florida. He moved to Michigan as a Vocational Education Teacher and then on to Arizona to become the Director Of Vocational Education in Lake Havasu, Arizona. DiBlasi’s department was awarded a Arizona State award for the “Best In The West” as the “Best Vocational Education Department”.

Howie DiBlasi was recognized as “Vocational Teacher of the Year” for the State of Arizona and nominated as a finalist in the “Top Secondary Leaders in America”. He has been featured in several magazines as “A CIO that really thinks outside the box”.

The call of running his own computer business was so great that he left education and opened the first retail computer business in Lake Havasu, Arizona as an IBM and Apple dealer. After 10 years, “Building Empires” , as he describe it, it was time to move on.

His computer business was sold and off to retirement…that lasted for 6 months, while he tried to figure out what to do next. His wife kindly informed him to “Get a job and stop driving me crazy around the house.” After a quick search for a new job he landed in Durango as the Education Manager of a local computer store and spent most of his time on the road. Covering areas like Aspen, Vail, Wolf Creek, Telluride and Durango to service and maintain computers at the school districts was a ”Tough Job” as he stated…. “But, I always managed a few ski runs when I was in the area.”

In 1993 the Durango School District was advertising for a new Technology Director and a friend convinced him to apply. After a phone call accepting the position, he was on a mission to change the world. The school district had 73 computers in 1993 and most of them were Apple II’s with a floppy disk drive.

DiBlasi started building the “Durango Empire” with new file servers (42 today), networks at every school, Internet connection to every classroom, high speed connections to all schools, Interactive Video Conferencing at all 10 schools, Voice Over IP phone system district wide, 911 caller ID in every classroom , and so many other technology upgrades, it would take several pages to list all of the changes.

Howie serves as a state board member to C.A.L.E.T. (Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology), President Elect and Communications director for I.S.T.E –Interactive Video Conferencing Special Interest Group. He is known as a highly energetic, compassionate and approachable speaker. He is a trainer that blends humor, applicable stories of best practice and high levels of audience involvement. Over the past fifteen years, he has presented programs, courses and Keynotes to thousands of administrators, teachers, technology specialists and professionals around the country. He has been married to his wife Joan for 42 years, has two children and four grandchildren and will move to Georgetown, Texas. in January of 2008.

DiBlasi stated that he will begin working with Internationally known 21^st Century Learning advocate “Alan November” in January and deliver 21^st Century Digital Skills Workshops across the country.

His parting words were: “I guess I am crazy enough to think I can change the world and hope I have a small impact on what we do as educators,” DiBlasi said.

Running the last leg of the race…

Running the last leg of the race…

I will be turning over the baton and passing it on to James Torres in the next 30 days. The selection committee made the correct choice in selecting James from a candidate pool of representatives that were all very well qualified. James brings with him a wealth of experience in the education field and the business world. It will be a great experience to watch him lead the department as we move forward in the 21^st Century.

Joan and I have sold our house in Durango and are building a new one in Austin Texas…Why???..well it is much easier to do my new adventure out of the Austin Airport that will require travel around the country.… but the real reason is a granddaughter named Ava, (age 1) and a grandson named Brock, (age 3).

I am sending this now, via my Blog and e-mail because I will be doing a Keynote in Nebraska on the eve of the retirement dinner for the retiring staff next April. I will be here for part of January training James for his “New Adventure”

In closing, I am thankful for everyone of you that I have know for the past 14 years…you have made this the BEST job I have ever had. Your support and kind words over the years is very much appreciated. It is my hope that I have made a small impact on you and the Durango School District.

I will miss you all… God bless you…everyone..

I am Leaving Durango, “ To change The World…. One Teacher At A Time”….

My new e-mail is howie@frontier.net

My new WebPage is: www.toolsfortheclassroom.com

IF YOU WANT CHANGE …BE THE CHANGE

IF YOU WANT CHANGE …

BE THE CHANGE

As to my future, a BIG new world is opening before me….I have been so blessed over the past 6 months for the new opportunities.. It began with a few phone calls and e-mails to request presentations and workshops at other school districts in my free time away from Durango. In July the floodgates opened. I was invited to present at the Building Learning Communities Conference directed by Alan November. If you do not know who Alan is, check out his Web Page at:

http://www.novemberlearning.com/ He is one of the most influential leaders in the country and the world, for 21^st Century Classrooms and Building Learning Communities. What an opportunity to visit and work with Alan during the week. You can read about the details of that conference and my involvement at : A day at M.I.T with Mitchel Resnick: (link is below)

http://toolsfortheclassroom.blogspot.com/2007/07/part-3-day-at-mit-with-mitchel-resnick.html

The next thing I know I am doing Keynotes and Feature Presentation around the country in August, September, October and November. As many of you know my passion is to the share the gospel of 21^st Century Learning and to “Change the World….One Teacher At A Time.” Then I receive a phone call from Alan asking me to work as a consultant for November Learning. I was lying on the floor from disbelief, as he provided the framework of what would happen after my retirement. As I stammered and stuttered and said yes, the reality of it all hit me after I hung up the phone.

Another opportunity opened this past summer in the Center School District with Superintendent George Welch. It would take 3 pages to tell you about that exciting adventure. In a nutshell Center has a population of 1,500 , free and reduced of 86 per cent and a Hispanic population of 81 per cent. George with his school board has led the district thought 1 (one) year of McRel training (http://www.mcrel.org/topics/topics/Instruction/products/19/ and a one to one computer initiative so that all high school students have their own computer, personal computers for all of the teaching staff and providing his teachers in a series of 24 workshops on 21^st Century Classroom Skills that I provided this fall. We specifically designed the workshops for 21^st Century skills that the staff could take back to the classroom and implement the next day of school.

….Guess what happened…CSAP scores are going up…they make AYP for the first time…NCLB requirement are being fulfilled…..all because of a Superintendent that gets it. He and his board have made 21^st Century Skills a priority in their district and provided the funds to make it a priority…..George is a real supporter of 21^st Century Skills. It has been an honor to instruct his teachers and bring that district into the 21^st Century.

Durango could take a lesson from George…as I stated above if there is one shortcoming that I have it is not having the district as a whole support 21^st Century Skills for our Teachers. Other items have been a priority and it is my hope, this will change with the new Superintendent.

I think the best way to close is with a document that I send to anyone that requests the "Did You Know" PowerPoint. It is amazing what has happened with this video...There have been over 100,000 views on YouTube, traveled to China, Norway , many eastern Europe countries , India and thousands of school districts in the U.S. The"Did You Know 4" was released at a Keynote ,I recently did in Dallas , Texas.

Is My Life An Obligation or An Opportunity^1.?

When my phone rings in my office, I respond to each call as an opportunity to serve, earn, learn, influence, network, encourage or teach. A sign on my desk reads “ Obligation or Opportunity.” The people who change the world around them –rarely act from a sense of obligation….they almost always act from a sense of incredible opportunity. They interact with the world around them because they want to, not because they have to. Those who lead effectively view the circumstances around them as opportunities not obligations.

Genuine, authentic leadership infuses meaning into your life, because you know that your efforts count and that you are serving the needs of others as well as your own. You can help, influence and inspire those around you.²

In August of 2006 Karl Fisch shared a Power Point with me about our changing world and the impact of the “New Global Economy”. I then read the Thomas Friedman book, “The World Is Flat”. I then came across an old 1986 commercial called “Think Different”. For me that week was life changing. All the pieces came together on changing the way we teach our “Digital Natives” in the classroom. The commercial content included snapshots of people who changed the world and the concluding statement was….”People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”. You can download or view the commercial on my web site at the following address: http://www.toolsfortheclassroom.com/page7.html

You can download the “Did You Know 4” along with the mp3 music file that goes with the presentation by clicking on the link below. There have been over 105,000 views on YouTube, presentations at 10 conferences and over 2,000 attendees that have carried the message back to their school district. The intent is for you to show the PowerPoint and start on a journey of teaching our “Digital Kid” differently. Have a discussion with your peers, administrators, and school board members and help “Change The World, one teacher at a time.”

Download the PowerPoint or Windows Media Video here:

http://www.toolsfortheclassroom.com/page12.html

Mark Sandborn said it best, “ People who take an active leadership role in their lives tend to be good thinkers…Great leaders tend to be GREAT THINKERS”.

Enjoy…..

“If You Want Change…Be The Change.”

Howie DiBlasi, Ph.D.

C.I.O. ( Chief Information Officer)

Durango School District 9-R

201 E 12 St.

Durango Colorado, 81301

970-247-5411 ex 1451

^{1 & 2}…Content paraphrased from “The Fred Factor”; “You Don’t Need A Title To Be A Leader”; “The World According To Mister Rodgers”.

LOOKING BACK…..

The school year began in August with a message to our Durango Administrators on 18 Ways to Change the World LINK HERE and ideas for implementing 21^st Century Learning in their individual schools. Since my time is short and I will finish my 14 years with the Durango School District in December…I feel an urgent rush to share the message to implement what I preach in my own district. There are several changes going on over the next 6 months and it will make change difficult. After my announcement of retirement our Superintendent, Mary Barter announced that she will also retire. She has been an excellent supporter of implementing Technology in our district over the past 9 years.

Diane Doney, the Finance Business Manager has left to be the new Business Manager for the Douglas County School District. Diane was my greatest supporter and any crazy idea I had for changing the classroom for the 21st Century skills, she would listen to the project information, ask questions, challenge me back, find a way to do it financially and assist in the implementation of the program. Durango lost a fantastic asset when she left. Over the past 14 years we have made huge improvements in Educational Technology, Information Literacy and 21^st Century skill implementation.

Over the past 14 years we have observed many significant changes in our district because of our Staff Development coordinators JoAnne Hibbard and Bonna Steinle. Bonna and I worked for the first 8 years and really broke ground in the area of Technology Staff development. This was back in 1996 – 2003… beginning with the Internet using Pine and all text based products on Apple II’s and the first IBM PC and the World Wide Web was developing.

We found early adopters and supporters of technology and offered FREE classes for the staff. We would provide a little food and a free class and it was amazing to look back on the results. Those early adopters would start using the new technology and then other teachers started asking what it was about and the group would grow. Bonna and I were on the cutting edge for several years teaching the new technology skills. She is now retired and living in, Mesa Arizona. I had no idea how important those early days would shape my future and the future of the Durango School District.

JoAnne Hibbard stepped in to fill Bonna’s shoes as we were writing our ET/IL (Educational Technology and Information Literacy) plan. http://web9r.durango.k12.co.us/grants/powered/kinder/Science_Healthy_heart_K.pdf The goal of the plan was to specify standards and ends to provide training and development to all staff and assist them in becoming proficient in Technology competencies and implementation. Our Durango plan was selected as a model for the state of Colorado and is the reason we have 100 percent proficiency for all of out 389 Teachers. JoAnne and I have continued to provide Technology Staff Development to our staff over the past 5 years and we have observed significant change in the classroom using Visual Literacy, Podcasting and Blogs. Our Technology Web Page has many samples for you observe and listen to.

http://web9r.durango.k12.co.us/conf/

Another significant success marker is our Media Specialists at our 10 Schools. They have been the connection for me to each school. They NEVER say no…..Our Technicians provide the training to assist them the basics of trouble shooting the technology equipment. Their dedication is such that I have arrived at their schools to find a lady in proper school attire – (i.e. dress and blouse) on the floor under a desk tracing the wire to find out why a computer would not start correctly. Every one of them go above an beyond the call… Thanks you to:

Janet Oliver, Sue Mooney, Ann Ruetschle, Mary Kay Oneil, Cindy Tucson, Marilyn Zion, Trish Kilpatric, Danna Neilson, Suzanne Wickman, – Michelle Brown – and Steve Powell.

Over the past 14 years there is so much history, including many Superintendents, including Walt Jackson who originally hired me, Harvey Guest, Gene Young (can I tell you stories about this piece of history), Joel Jones – (Interim) and Mary Barter. There have been many other Directors and Principals including many that were “run out of town” to those who should have been run out of town. As they say, the cream rises to the top as I remember; Walt Jackson, Dennis Simpson, Dan Patterson, Rich Yeager, John Welcher, Bonna Steinle, Judy Michalski, Kathy Deaderick, Pete Harter, Marci Dennahm, Judy Wilke, Nyla Gruver, Gene Giddings, Norm Higgans, Jean Thweat, Amy Kindorski, Brian Hester, Marc Cooper, John Cordalis, Kristy Rodri, Darlene Wylie and so many others that names do not all come to mind. I am sorry but it would take 10 pages to list everyone; that names above flash back to times remembered for things that had an impact on me.

The are only 2 incidents that are negative in the 14 years—you will have to ask me personally to re-visit the 2 individuals….one involved a situation with a former HR director and another with a former Superintendent…do any of you remember the vote of no confidence back in 97 for 2 administrators…that is another story to visit someday….

If I have one regret, it is not bringing about systemic change to the district for 21^st Century Learning and 21^st Century Skills for the District. My hope is that when I come back to visit in the next few years, I would see a shift in priorities and the emphasis on 21^st Century Skills…..If you want to read an excellent article :

http://www.wvexecutive.com/featured/summer07/21st-century-education/

If you want to know what 21^st Century Learning is all about:

http://www.21learn.org/

and what are the skills…..?

http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/skills/skills.htm

Re-charged- and saying goodbye….

I am in Colorado Springs presenting to the Colorado Association of School Boards. The first four months of school are a blurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. David Warlick just finished his Keynote to over 2,000 school board members and he really charged me up. I had the privilege of meeting David after his Keynote and discuss our views on 21^st Century Classroom Skills and Implementation. More on that discussion later on the blog…. http://toolsfortheclassroom.blogspot.com/

…… David’s message is the reason I am back on the blog and bringing you up to date.

As many of you know I will be retiring on December 31, 2007. First a little background in my tenure in Durango…

In 1994, I began as the Information Technology Director and the department consisted of one person …me. The district had one file server and 42 Apple IIe computers, 14 Macs and 15 IBM PC’s. A total of 71 computers for the district. The Internet use was just beginning and a district wide network for connecting all 10 schools was a figment of our imagination. Fast forward 14 years with 42 File Servers, 2,018 computers, Internet connection to every classroom, Fiber connection for the District office to the middle and high school, Interactive Video Conferencing at all schools, VoIP phones, direct dial to all classrooms, 9-1-1, ID to all classrooms, Blogs, Wiki’s, Podcasting and Visual Literacy in our schools and it all makes my head spin.

Today, our department consists of a staff of 10 and 2 College Interns. These individuals are the most dedicated employees I have ever been involved with. They are all serving in the District to be of service and support for all 678 staff members and all of the 5,000 students. These individuals are the heart and soul of this department and the district.

Last week in our weekly staff meeting, I shared how much I would miss each of them and how much I was going to miss the daily interaction of my staff and all of the individuals that work in the district. I was attempting to be the big macho Information Technology Director and not show any emotion….but in the middle of the thank you… I lost it… I felt the tears welling up in my eyes…my mouth going dry…my heart starting to race…..and it hit me…. how much my involvement in the Durango School District in so imbedded in my everyday life and a part of my heart and soul….. I am really going to miss this place.....all I could do is say, “Thank You” to all of them and go in my office, close the door and let my emotion out….it took me 20 minuets to compose myself and wipe the tears from my eyes….

My deepest heartfelt thanks go to, Roger Dodd, Parker Jardine, Brain Schoff, Chris Lake, Ramon Milanez, James Torres, William Schutt, Joe Green, Kimball Hutchins, Aaron Farrington , and Angel Hawkey for make the department the best in the state of Colorado the shining star of the Durango School District.

Another significant success marker is our Media Specialists at our 10 Schools. They have been the connection for me to each school. They NEVER say no…..Our Technicians provide the training to assist them the basics of trouble shooting the technology equipment. Their dedication is such that I have arrived at their schools to find a lady in proper school attire – (i.e. dress and blouse) on the floor under a desk tracing the wire to find out why a computer would not start correctly. Every one of them go above an beyond the call… Thank you to:

Janet Oliver, Sue Mooney, Ann Ruetschle, Mary Kay Oneil, Cindy Tucson, Marilyn Zion, Trish Kilpatric, Danna Neilson, Suzanne Wickman, – Michelle Brown – and Steve Powell.

Over the past 14 years there is so much history, including many Superintendents, including Walt Jackson who originally hired me, Harvey Guest, Gene Young (can I tell you stories about this piece of history), Joel Jones – (Interim) and Mary Barter. There have been many other Directors and Principals including many that were “run out of town” to those who should have been run out of town. As they say, the cream rises to the top as I remember; Walt Jackson, Dennis Simpson, Dan Patterson, Rich Yeager, John Welcher, Bonna Steinle, Kathy Deaderick, Pete Harter, Marci Dennahm, Judy Wilke, Nyla Gruver, Gene Giddings, Norm Higgans, Jean Thweat, Amy Kindorski, Brian Hester, Marc Cooper, John Cordalis, Kristy Rodri, Darlene Wylie and so many others that names do not all come to mind. I am sorry but it would take 10 pages to list everyone; that names above flash back to times remembered for things that had an impact on me.

Who IsThis Guy?

Dr. Howie DiBlasi
Durango , Colorado
Tools For The Classroom

www.toolsfortheclassroom.com

Known as the "Did You Know II" guy.

See it on YOUTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65wE6yFYgP8

Part 3: A day at M.I.T with Mitchel Resnick

Part 3:

A day at M.I.T with Mitchel Resnick:

Building Learning Communities/Alan November Conference 2007:

The day began at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) with Mitchel Resnick , director of the Lifelong Kindergarten Project. Mitchel believes that we should be helping children grow up as creative thinkers. He stated “Our ultimate goal is a world full of playfully creative people who are constantly inventing new opportunities for themselves and their communities.”

The Lifelong Kindergarten group is fortunate to be located within the MIT Media Lab, a hotbed of creative activity. In one corner of the Media Lab, students are designing new musical instruments. In another corner, students are designing new social-networking software. This type of activity makes the Media Lab not just a good research lab, but a GREAT place for learning, since people learn a great deal when they are actively engaged in designing, creating, and inventing things.

Unfortunately, most children don't get the opportunity to engage in these types of creative activities. In school, they learn specific facts and skills, but rarely get the opportunity to design things -- or to learn about the process of designing things. Outside school, they interact with electronic toys and games, but they don't learn how to invent or create new ones.

In the Lifelong Kindergarten Group, they are trying to change that. They believe that it is critically important for all children, from all backgrounds, to grow up knowing how to design, create, and express themselves. They are inspired by the ways children learn in kindergarten: when they create pictures with finger paint, they learn how colors mix together; when they create castles with wooden blocks, they learn about structures and stability. They are extending this kindergarten style of learning, so that learners of all ages continue to learn through a process of designing, creating, experimenting, and exploring.

After Mitchel’s introduction of the “Lifelong Kindergarten Project” philosophy, he introduced us to “Scratch” and “Cricket”. We were all given a project to explore as an individual or as a small group of 2 or 3.

It is hard to describe the experience. I was allowed freely to follow a process as I did as a 5 year old. First “ Imagine” – thinking what I wanted to do, then “Create”- build my project, “Play” -with my project, “Share”- my experience with others, and then “Reflect” -on what I had learned, mistakes I made, changes I could make etc. Then I started the process all over again.

Quite a revolution in learning: - allowing me to make mistakes, reflect and then try it again. Imagine the possibilities if we start to “Think Different” in our teaching methods, move the student center stage, and remove the teacher from the center of the stage.

After the first session, I wandered around the “Lab”. Mass chaos; it appeared to be very disorganized and an office that had piles of clutter. (See photo) BUT..what a creative environment. Real learning going on with graduate students all working on projects, asking questions, exploring, sharing , creating and then reflecting on what they did.

After lunch I had the opportunity to visit with Mitchel about 21^st Century Learning and the model he uses. We had a great discussion about his vision, current and future projects. I was provided this opportunity because I decided to direct my own learning and attend the workshop. I know Mitchel enjoyed providing the workshop to our group….but I am the one who reaped exponential benefits as a learner and obtained many new ideas to bring back to our Durango School District. What an incredible opportunity for this “Durango Country Boy”.

As my mind is racing during this process, I realize my heart is pounding……I am really excited about the new process of learning experience that I had just participated it. Mitchel is really on to something here. What a shift and change in thinking about learning styles. How would we do this in a school? We really have our work cut out for us!

Part 4 of 5 – next week