Apathy

"Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire."

~W.B. Yeats

Apathy in schools is often an unspoken subject during discussions of curriculum or analysis of AYP, but let's admit that it's very real. How do we go about engaging students whose favorite phrase is "This is dumb!"?

Jeff Bailey addresses the issue on Maine Ideas in Education:

"Learning: A Risky Business"

Jim Moulton addresses the issue in Spiral Notebook at Edutopia:

Part One: "Should Teachers Care about Student apathy?"
Part Two: "Motivate Students with Class Action."
Part Three: "Take It To the Streets."

Related Links:

An Interview with Maurice Elias of CASEL on Emotional Intelligence.

CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)

"Student Apathy, Lack of Self-Responsibility and False Self-esteem Are Failing American Schools" by Yong G. Hwang.

"Student Apathy = Teacher Apathy"
How to Engage Students in Learning


Essential Question: How do we connect with students emotionally to get them fired up about learning?

MVYDC Laptop Lunch Group

Wikispaces is an easy and convenient place to set up a digital learning space to complement face-to-face staff development. It's free and straightforward . . . . without layers of bureaucracy to work through when dealing with limited time and energy.


Check out the WVYDC Laptop Lunch Group right here in the State of Maine as an excellent example.

Who could ask for anything more?



More Info about wikis
Jim Moulton's wiki at Wikispaces on project-based learning.
Gulf of Maine Activities at Wikispaces
NNELL (National Network for Early Language Learning) at Wikispaces
Blue Algebra Wikispace (Lewiston)

You are invited to join and contribute to the LIM Resources Wiki.

Arts, Innovation and Creativity

April 6 - 7, 2008 at Samoset

The price is certainly right . . . the location ideal . . . and the offerings unique and diverse. The MLTI Arts, Innovation and Creativity Spring Institute looks to be outstanding. It will be a great opportunity to share, learn and network with others throughout the state . . . with a focus on the arts.

Tim Sample will be the featured speaker at Monday's lunch. Here's a classic Sample piece on technology . . . done 23 years ago . . . before much had happened in the digital world.



Hope to see you there!

Registration Information

On Making Mistakes

Persistence is a simple process:

1. What's the next step?
2. What's in the way of taking that step?
3. Remove, disregard, or ignore the obstacle.
4. Take the step
5. Go to #1

~ source unknown

At The Learning Curve, Kern Kelley speaks of working/playing with his young son on putting puzzles together. The question is: When do we assist versus allowing others to learn from their mistakes? Where do we strike the balance?

A related question might be: How do we grow life-long learners who are able to persevere in solving problems and feel empowered by this ability?

Related Post

Perseverance Resources at LIM Resources Wiki