Web 2.0, We Banish Thee

I'm not sure where I've been  since the bicentennial, but since then, apparently, the annual New Year's rite of pledging to shed the excess has extended to our  lexicon.
Since New Year's Day 1976, Lake Superior State University has published an annual "List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness." This year 15 words and phrases were added to the list, with several of this years "winners" were related to government business pertaining to the economy- shovel ready, czar, toxic assets, in these economic times, stimulus, and terms with Obama as a prefix or root. Of course, given the saturation of news coverage with items related to the economy and the Obama administration, it comes as no surprise to find these terms among  list leaders.
I was, however, a bit surprised to see web 2.0 take big hits in this year's list. I manage a Facebook account, and I guess  I'm no longer allowed to "friend" anyone. I wonder when Facebook will change the icon to "Befriend"? Additionally, I harbor a Twitter account where I will no longer "tweet;" instead, I'll simply post from here on out, huh? 
On the positive side, because I lack Tiger's urges and the impulsivity of a hormonally charged teen, I need not worry that "sexting" is not allowed. And because the home office (unforunately) prohibits me from acquiring an iPhone or fancy Droid device, I am not plagued by the overuse of "app."
Removing jargon related to government bureaucracy seems such a "transparent" option. But attacking tools I utilize while "chillaxin'", the very utilities and means by which I might foster my "bromance," well that's just too much . 
I can only hope my district administration doesn't see the inclusion of web 2.0 terms among banished words as a "teachable moment." 


*For more on the banished words of 2010:
 read an AP article here or find the entire list of banished words at Lake Superior State University 
-SchlegsofTonka

A Dropout, A Junk Yard, and Meaningful Personal Learning

In the Spanish Golden Age of the early 1600's, Miguel de Cervantes delivered Don Quixote who tilted at the windmills of LaMancha. Here in the modern age, thanks to the Tornoto Star,  The Clever Sheep curator Rodd Lucier presents us with William Kamkwamba, a 21 year old Malawi man who has embraced rather than fought windmills in order to turn a negative circumstance into a hugely positive opportunity for himself, his family, and the community beyond.


Forced to drop out of school because crop failure meant there was no money to pay for school, Kamkwamba got resourceful. With only the images in a book to guide him, and a scrap yard as his Home Depot, Kamkwamba relied on his own personal need and inner drive to provide the means by which more water could be delivered to crops, and kerosene dependence could be eliminated.


Lucier describes Mr. Kamkwamba's story as one of the "pursuit of personal learning." It is that, and then some.


William Kamkwamba is an inspiration who puts Robots' Bigweld & Rodney Copperbottom to shame. Kamkwama didn't just see a need and fill it; instead, he was living with such a need his life and the livelihood of those around him depended upon his efforts and desire to pursue his personal learning.


I'm wondering right now, what issues are my students and the other 900+ 7th-9th graders in my building hoping to address? Needing to address? And, to what extent are my colleagues and I providing them the skills and  tools that might just set them off toward becoming the next William Kamkwamba?


Zeroed in on me, I'm left dreaming that what I deliver in my classroom, the opportunity to explore and investigate historical events (8th grade U.S. History), and a chance to express personal opinions and craft self-expression (9th grade English), might be the impetus for my students' journeys toward truly personal learning.


As I start the new year, I want to hold up William Kamkwamba as an inspiration, and an example of how in the face of a personal challenge, an individual can creatively, imagination, and thought. 


Very clever, Sheep, very clever indeed.
-SchlegsofTonka

Trying On Something New

As the new year opens, I'm trying on some new things, not the least of which is acceptance. I'm accepting the blessings of my family and fortunes; I'm accepting I am flawed by sin and prone to errors, each of which serves to make me, well, me, the person God has set here for his purposes.

Something else I am trying on is this role of blogger. I've dabbled in blogging my thoughts, insights and observations at a similarly named blog over at edublogs.org, and I'm trying on this new Blogger setup as I give this new or varied incarnation of The Dragon Scroll a go.

I want to establish up front, though, that as I stand in front of this tri-fold mirror, modeling my visions and beliefs, I just might not like how things look - an inseam too long, a crotch too tight, or sleeves binding my armpits (you get the picture) - when I reveal them to the blogosphere. Furthermore, I do so as someone who hasn't always had the best of success with new directions, or following through with of the plans and projects. I joke that if I started a remodeling business its moniker would be "80per," as in 80 percent finished.

So, with the new year upon me, I'm giving this a go. And, if I seem to stall, I might just have retreated back to edublogs.org, or, perhaps, I'm pursuing yet a again another look and feel.

Regardless, this is my project, THIS is my Dragon Scroll. Welcome along for the ride