To Learn Twice

Since my last post I have been thinking about Gladwell's comment about the power of Feedback. This is something that I strongly believe that we don't do enough of in our classrooms and schools. The rise of video game playing should show how much human beings like immediate feedback and interaction. People like to interact and get a response. I was on a tour of DC the other day and our tour guide told us something that really struck me: "One of the reasons for The Mall in DC is to provide a space for demonstrations" First of all, what a forward thinking idea, that those that founded the city that is our center of government would not just welcome the voice of its people - it would provide a space for the voices of all. When we look at the current events in Iran we can see how quickly change can be thwarted by stopping demonstrations. By removing a place for people to express their beliefs and ideas. By scaring people from sharing what they need. Think of the powe...

There was a really mixed response to Gladwell's speech yesterday. Some loved it, others hated it, and some were left with a mediocre feeling. I was left a little disappointed for two reasons: 1. He is such a terrific storyteller in print and that did not translate into his presentation last night. He was not fluid in his presentation and I felt he did not really know his audience. Plus it doesn't help when some of your facts are wrong in front a very educated group of people. 2. He took the most powerful point in the entire presentation and flew right past it. At about the 22 minute mark he mentioned, very quickly, that we have to challenge our students to believe that they have the power to create change in their own life. Then he skipped back over to another story. I don't know if he was pressed for time (he could have got some back by leaving out 4 of the 6 one liners he opened with), but this was a major point that really needs to be brought forward. It is at the he...