Today's Reads, Links, and Views

I've managed to reduce my unread email messages from over 300 to just under 100 now.  I went a little overboard last year sending myself links to articles that I thought would be interesting.

I'm sure they would have been interesting.  I just didn't have the time.  So I had to whittle them down as much as I could.

Here are the remaining ones.  Hope you find something useful or interesting here.

Why Teachers Want Technology

With 1:1 in a matter of days, we'll get all the technology we can handle.  I can't wait.

The lower category on the rich is what I'm looking forward to most.  This might be a year away, but I'd love to see our focus on technology get to the point where we bring in some of our high flying, tech-savvy students to teach teachers how to use an app or website during our common prep sessions.

How much fun would that be?

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Here is an interesting approach to meetings or even lessons in class: always be capturing.

Not only do they give some great ways to capture ideas, but they also give the excellent advice: "if you can't capture it, stop talking."

If it's not vital and relevant to the lesson, why am I blathering?

Now I can see this being more important in a meeting setting where you should be laser focused.  But I like the free nature of a class period (especially when you're on the block) to veer and stray and make connections and associations that might prove relevant to what we're learning about with some more analysis.

But I love the idea of capturing the content we create (whether it be with iPhones, iPads, Google Docs, or Dropbox).  Then I'd add one more layer - publish it.  Push it out to a class blog, a class Twitter feed or Facebook page.

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I just finished an excellent podcast from Dave Ramsey on the art of selling.  He believes that, like it or not, we are all selling.  We don't sell things or people.  We sell services. 

When he said that, it caused me to view what I teach differently.  I don't just teach concepts and skills.  I have to sell the kids on these. 

How do I do that? 

By building trust and forming relationships. 

Then I can sell them on the skills and abilities that they will need to succeed not only in college but in the knowledge economy.   

Here Daniel Pink argues How Teachers Can Sell Love of Learning to Students.  And loving to learn is a skill that is more important than ever.  It's the only way to stay relevant in any field.

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Now, this is interesting.  The Future of Work.

The Future of Work from Innovation Excellence

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How much fun would this assignment be?

Come up with Six Word Memoirs.