NAIS 2008 Comments and Ideas

[Jim Heynderickx]

For those of us who attended NAIS 2008, I thought I'd post a discussion for collecting ideas and observations. Also, thank you to Demetri for the pizza dinner event that was a lot of fun, as well as the night walk through Times Square afterwards.

Two things in the conference that lined up well were the key notes of Ken Robinson and Daniel Pink. Both pointed to the power and neglected importance of creative thought in both learning and life, and perhaps in maintaining relevance in a changing world economy.

For more details, there were two official "bloggers" at the event with information on the sessions here:

http://www.nais.org/ac/eventdoc.cfm?ItemNumber=150585&sn.ItemNu...

In Daniel Pink's presentation, he referred to our times as being defined by "Affluence, Asia and Automation," and I enjoyed the chart he showed that tracked the prevalence of many "conveniences" in American homes (phones, tvs, computers) in growing percentages over the last 80 years. To compete in a world of affluence, one must either create a product we didn't know we needed (the iPod) or use design to distinguish an existing product (a Michael Graves-designed toilet brush). His point was that "right brained" thinking was essential to making a place in the new economy-- especially in the area of creative design.

As one might expect, the audience responded positively to this. My question leaving Radio City Music Hall, however, was if he was thinking far enough ahead. My parents were young teenagers in the Depression, for example. They were amused by the development of our age of affluence, but they also had suspicion that it would last. I don't think they would have thought aircraft aluminum toilet brushes were a good investment of either time or money.

It seems we're on a wave (inexpensive resources, global production and design, low labor costs), but I wonder about the time frame-- 100 years, 50 years, 20 years? Advice to students focusing on Pink's six recommendations (Design, Story, Empathy, Play, Meaning, Symphony) may be perfect for staying on the wave, but what comes after the wave?

As he noted, India has a billion people, and if only 15% become "routine workers" in the global workplace, they will exceed the US number of workers, and exceed even the entire population of Japan.

I rather like the idea of people around the world having a higher standard of living, and more interesting work (even beyond the routine that can be outsourced easily), but is it feasible for everyone to use resources at the rate that the US does?

I don't know.

Anyway, if you were at the conference, feel free to post comments about other things at NAIS 208, or your own ideas and responses to the keynote.

[Jamie Britto]

Jim,

Thanks for starting this thread on NAIS 2008. I'm at the airport now, having attended the Ian Jukes workshop this morning and taking a walk around the city. The paint is still wet on my experiences and reflections, but here's what' I'm thinking

#1 I felt this was the year that technology was welcomed heartily in the "big tent." We didn't need to make apologies or rationalizations about why we were there or if we belonged, and key notes and others seemed have a sincere interest in technology's role in our schools.

#2 I felt the conference has a whole had a coherence that I haven't felt as strongly before. From Sir Ted's opening comments to Ian's workshop this morning, thoughts diverged and took different paths but seemed in "symphony" with one another.

#3 The items on both Ian Jukes's list and Daniel Pink's (eight items in total) list all started with the letter A. (Albert pointed this out to me.) I think there may be a subconscious preference for letters at the front of the alphabet, and it makes me a little uncomfortable. (Albert also said, "we are the knights who say ning." and that made me laugh outloud.)

#4 After they handed out the black concert t-shirts this morning, I wanted to get my lighter out and scream for an encore. It was a great show and I think I'll be singing the songs for while.

[Demetri Orlando]

Great comments here. I agree that the keynotes of Sir Ken, Dan Pink, and Ian Jukes had a symphonic effect, and that technology was in the big tent. I think it's unfortunate that Ian chooses to present in primarily lecture mode when he was arguing for exactly the opposite in education. In not sure what the solution would be - something like an unconference type of thing perhaps, but I think the effort needs to be made. I don't buy the "I have to do it this way because of time pressures" argument. That's exactly the pressure our teachers face every day, and I think you need to put your money where your mouth is. I think NAIS is in support of more creative approaches to keynotes like this, and hope we can look for more interactive events next year. There are lots of lessons learned this year, and like change within our schools, I guess we should honor the small steps that are being taken.

Please note that the NAIS ning is hosting discussions for conference topics at http://naisnet.ning.com/group/conferencepresentations

It was great to see everyone in New York in meatspace!

[Mark Crotty]

I understand what you are saying about Ian Jukes and lecturing. Here's my take on lectures. They are not the best way to teach...and especially because too many lectures and lecturers are not very good. Ironically, that's on exhibit at to many educational conferences and workshops.

But I'd argue that great lectures have their place. (Part of the entire notion behind the TED speeches.) If I could lecture like Ian, I might do a bit more of it.

Also, in this particular case, I suspect numbers also influence the approach.

Still, I'm righ tthere with you in ultimately wishing for a more interactive approach to these things.