Last month I was fortunate to attend a training session on the new Chromebook at Google's New York City offices. The Chromebook itself turned about to be an intriguing device that clearly has an upside as an educational tool in schools. It boots up in 8 seconds, has a sleek user interface, is very light, and allows you to pick up right where you left off when you log onto another device. While engaging in professional development throughout the day I was amazed by the Google office and workspace structure as we had an opportunity to explore a little bit as me moved between sessions and lunch. I have heard many rumors about life at Google and was extremely surprised to see that most of them were true. Here is a quick snapshot:
• Use of scooters as a means of transportation. There were even racks throughout each floor
for Google employees to park their scooter.
• Lego wall in a lounge area. The wall was lined with bins of different sized and colored
Lego's. It was clear that employees are encouraged to unleash their creativity when it suites
them. The Angry Birds and super-sized Ferris wheel designs were extremely impressive.
• Specialized areas/rooms: A few that I noticed were the gaming and massage rooms.
• Mini-kitchens galore. It was obvious that appetite contentment is a priority at Google. Some
of these kitchens were decorated in particular themes. One of the most elaborate mini-
kitchens I saw was decorated as a jungle complete with hammock-like chairs, small
waterfalls, decorated trees, and live frogs. It was so relaxing that I could easily see myself
napping in there from time to time. Equally impressive were the massive espresso,
cappuccino, and coffee machines in each kitchen as well as the overwhelming selection of
food and beverages.
• Google-themed artwork throughout the building. Company pride was apparent everywhere.
• Clever reminders not to do certain things. One sign throughout the building was a picture of
an alligator with its tail propping the door open. Each picture was accompanied with this
reminder, "Beware the Tailgator!" Obviously Google didn't want some doors propped open for
security reasons.
• Office spaces where entire walls were whiteboards, perfect for brainstorming and outlining
creative ideas. These offices had a large table that could seat approximately 12-16 people.
• Open spaces with collaborative and comfortable furniture (leather couches, plush lounge
chairs, etc.) not to mention more coffee stations.
• Bistro dinning area that provided employees with an unparalleled lunch. This place was not
even normal. Lunch was truly a dining experience here and I was in awe of the immense
selection of choices. I couldn't believe that fresh sushi was available. The chef preparing a
special of the day was a nice touch as well.
The atmosphere described above along with Google's 80/20 Innovation Model really inspires and motivates employees to perform at a consistently high level. Who wouldn't want to work here in this type of environment? Now imagine if schools adopted a similar thought process and designed learning as well as common spaces using several of the principles described above? It gives me chills thinking about the potential this could have on increasing achievement, motivation, and developing a passion for the learning process. School would become a place where students couldn't wait to get to and at the end of the day would be reluctant to leave. School re-design needs to become part of the education reform conversation. Is my thinking that far-fetched? What would your perfect school environment include?
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This is just another distraction from what our schools are missing: teaching discipline, hard work, commitment, all in a place of structure. A lack of structure is fine once students master imposing their own personal structures, but I would venture to guess that not all high school students have mastered self-discipline and imposing internal structure in their lives.
Nice architecture isn't going to solve education problems. Looking to the past to select from what works and riffing on that will. We ought not to succumb to fads, which is exactly what education seems to do: jump from one fad of the day to another.
A "smart board" is just a tool. It is not a substitute for old fashion teaching, repetition, and memorization.
And as for teachers' colleges, they are failing in preparing teachers to actually differentiate in the classroom, and more importantly, to teach children the basics like structured programs for reading, writing and math. Only once these skills are solidified can we expect children to begin using critical thinking skills. Right now, children are entering high school unable to do basic math and with terrible language skills.
That said, my core belief is that the Four Ancient Civic Virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Temperance should inform all aspects of the public school curriculum. To the extent we can frame our curriculum to inculcate development of the 4 civic virtues we will have done our duty for the preservation of our republic, and for the virtue of our children.
When I take trips to improve my self as a teacher it is during the summer. I have been sent on educational trip to the Holocaust Museum, Paris Island and College Campuses. And while the school sometimes pays for the trip I always do it on my own time.
But then I am just a teacher.
2- Respect teachers and respect learning. Pay them well, give them time to prepare and teach. Make classroom time the most important thing going on in your school. You say it is? If you're an administrator reading this, go ask a teacher how many times they're interrupted during the day. As them how many times their classes are replaced by admin. ordered assemblies, meetings, polls, and testing.
You were seduced by the bells and whistles at Google. What makes Google a great place to work isn't the cafeteria...it's the attitude that the employee is the most important cog in the Google machine. It's the attitude that employee satisfaction creates company success. The cafeteria is simply a symptom; it's not the cause of what makes Google great.
I mean, I can whip up a super-awesome school like that if you let me hand pick the students and expel any that fall below my requirements. But then it wouldn't be American public education.
And finally, rewarding educators with a salary that promotes pride in what they do and attracts others with a gift or talent to share. So that young people say "I want to be part of that, I want to share and teach and educated and help the whole world."
Setting standards and expectations for parents to help also. That alone is one of the most important key ingredients to breaking the poverty cycle. Yes, poor people love their kids too, but many, many of them aren't doing it the right way. Landing yourself in jail is not showing love for your family. Expecting the school to do everything is a dangerous prospect. We in essence put our children's lives in the hands of the government when we aren't involved. When that happens you are doomed for failure.
Emphasizing real dedication to giving back to our community and those in need from the time a child is small. When a person gives and helps others there is intellectual power in that. It makes them feel like they are worthy, worthwhile, and that someone needs them. When someone needs you are more likely to stand up to the job. Unlike our politicians who have been raised on a steady diet of narcissism, control and greed.
Visual Arts and Music for all students and emphasized in communities of low social economic status. Enough money for kids to have a real musical instrument and real teachers that know what they are doing. This builds not only the brain but self esteem as well. The "I can do what rich kids can do idea". It is what poor children miss out on and because they have no life experiences they are more likely to not attended college.
Departmentalized elementary education, although the idea of the same school teacher all day may appeal to some parents. The reality is with the high standards we are setting no one person can possibly be an expert nor have the time to prepare so many lessons each day (6 at least) and teach PE, Art, Music, Science etc. it's too much and teachers pretending they can do it hasn't helped our system for the 26 years I've been teaching.
(Cont'd on next post)