Every Little Change Helps Education
Those who know me well, know that I have a dream of starting my own school. It is the one thing that if I was to suddenly find a pile of money I'd do for the rest of my life.
I firmly believe that our children are not being taught all the skills that they need to make it in the world today and that worries me. I try to fill in some of the cracks of knowledge with my own children, but I know it isn't enough. But, I keep pushing and trying and helping wherever I can.
I bring this up because I wanted to give some context behind why these next two videos inspired me so much.
The first is a simple change.
It is an update to the standard desk/chair combo that fills every standard classroom in the world. I saw this when Whitney Hoffman wrote about the concept of remodeling versus redesigning. It is amazing how we sometimes forget that even a little change could help out a messed up situation. I love how student can spin and get into groups quickly, or a classroom can be rearranged without too much hassle. You can read a lot more about the chairs on the Steelcase Node site.
The second is actually a trailer for the book What Teachers Make: In Praise of the Greatest Job in the World
Neither of these videos or what they are for is going to change education as a whole.
Each is a minor, small change.
But, as I look out at Emily making a snowman in the first real storm of the year, I can't help but think about the obvious of how one small idea can roll in to another and another and soon you've got something much bigger than when you started.
That is why these videos have me excited. That is why I keep dreaming and slowing making progress and plans to having that school someday.
