Abdul-Jabbar: Who Will Lead Black Americans?

Reposted from Time:

This weekend our nation will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery voting rights march known as “Bloody Sunday.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is on our minds, and for many people so is one burning question: Where is today’s Dr. King? I’d argue it’s the wrong question. In the act of canonizing Dr. King, we’re forgotten that no movement is ever advanced by one voice alone. This country wasn’t founded by a single person, but a group of visionaries who didn’t always share the same vision. Dr. King’s voice was lifted by many others — Malcolm X, Bobby Seale, Angela Davis — who may have marched to a different drummer but marched in the same direction.

Bringing about change requires, as Liam Neeson might say, “a very particular set of skills.” Leaders have to notice subtle shifts in the political landscape that threaten the rights and standing of blacks in society. They have to analyze complex information and question even more complex motivations. They have to be socially responsible in not attributing every societal stumble to racism. They have to have a clear and articulate voice in explaining when injustice occurs, and they must have the courage to tell the world — even when the world doesn’t want to hear it. Finally, they must be able to offer practical solutions to specific problems and have the drive and charisma to inspire people to participate in those solutions.

Who are the leaders in the African-American community willing to bring all aspects of injustice to the public’s attention, especially when the public doesn’t want to hear it? The black community has many brave and dedicated leaders, so no simple list will do them all justice. Some leaders operate on a very local level. Even though they help many in need, they will not be recognized as a national leader. The best I can do is mention those who have become a public face and voice for many African-Americans. At the same time, it’s important to understand that the 43 million members of the black community are not a single voice. Like every other ethnic group, they have a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social beliefs. However, they do have a nearly unanimous voice when it comes to believing that there are institutional injustices aimed at them as a group.

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Forget Future Ready, how about Globally Ready?

Reposted from Rafranz Davis’ blog:

I found myself looking through conference proposals and sessions. It bothered me. I won’t lie. I feel like we, this edtech community, are further drowning ourselves into a pile of buzzwords and platforms so much so that I have to wonder if people really understand what transformation, innovation, inquiry and even creativity looks and feels like.

I get that one must learn about tech tools but I have to wonder why we do the exact opposite at these “learning events” that we want to see in schools. Why are we NOT putting the “how to use this app” things online and offering more discussion based sessions on things like writing better questions, learner empowerment, designing student driven lessons, community based projects, teaching beyond the test, reflection, feedback, research and soft skills…you know…the things that technology can enhance support. (See the update below for a more thorough and fluid expansion)

At some point we’ll figure out that while playing assessment app games are somewhat informing, our kids deserve much more than that when it comes to technology. Scanning a code for a math problem to solve is “fun” but how is that technology really enhancing supporting learning? Did the question change because it was scanned versus written in a book or on paper? Don’t even get me started on augmented reality. Yes, some kids love competition, but how is playing Kahoot different than “insert clicker name here”…and don’t you dare say, “because it has bright colors and music!” Just…No. We need technology, don’t get me wrong but I also know that we have to talk about how we are empowering students to lead in their schools, communities, states and globally! How are we preparing students to be not just “future ready” but Globally Ready?

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3 TED Talks That Can Change How You Learn, Teach & Lead

Reposted from Edudemic:

“How do you conduct yourself in your classroom? As a leader, a learner, an observer, a participant, and a member of a larger group. All of these roles hold so much nuance that your students learn from. It is sometimes easy to forget how much our students are learning from us just by being with us and observing how we act in the classroom both with them, other students, and our colleagues.

The following three TED talks aren’t specifically school, student, or educator focused. But when you watch them, they can really get you thinking about how you’re conducting your classroom and how you’re addressing challenge, choice, effort, and leadership. Take a few minutes and watch them. They address the human obsession with personal choice and how that affects how we make collective choice (in the first video). In the second, Joi Ito, the director of the MIT media lab addresses the idea that we should be ‘now-ists’: people who build and innovate quickly, without constantly checking with others to ensure we’re doing the ‘right thing’ before continuing. The last video explores what it takes to be a great leader.

Once you’ve watched them, ask yourself if you would change anything you’re doing in your classroom (or everyday life) differently because of the new perspective they’ve offered:”

Renata Selecl on Choice [VIDEO 15:03]

Joi Ito on becoming a Now-ist [VIDEO 12:32]

Roselinde Torres on Great Leadership [VIDEO 9:20]

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