Tonight I wanted to watch a program that I had missed on television because I was at a Board Meeting last night. I found my comcast tv remote on my phone pressed the show I wanted to watch and now here I sit. Watching a show that was live last night yet I am catching the details right this minute.

As a child when I wanted to watch a show I had to wait, for the date, time and all the factors involved to align so that I could see the desired show. As I watch my own children they don’t the need patience that I had to have to enjoy, learn or watch what they want. They, at the ages of 4, 4, (twins) and 5 can readily navigate netflix, amazon, the roku, and itunes stored shows to find the information they desire. They have total control (or so they think… the parental controls and timer I set do set the parameters) of accessing information.

As the adult learners in schools we grew up in an environment where we had to wait. Yet, we take children who don’t have to wait and force them to follow pacing guides and time tables that we as the adults set for them. These kids, our students, have to wait till the next gradelevel to move on, learn more or explore.

As our school improvement team was working together today evaluating our RTI (MTSS or what ever buzz word defines the ability groups) really made me realize that the structures we as adults have in place in our classrooms, schools and districts limit students.

How do we create “On Demand” learning environments for our students?

– Flipped classrooms
– Web pages
– Using technology in classrooms
– Small Group Instruction
– On-line learning platforms
– Standards based report cards
– Intervention Blocks
– Non-classified classrooms (K,1,2,3 etc)
– Personal Individual Learning Plans

I am unsure of the answer. But, realize that if the public education system doesn’t start to incorporate creativity in our structures, instruction, and choices. Then our learners will find it elsewhere.

I welcome and hope that a few might reply and add to the discussion regarding how we can create education that mimics instant curiosity.

Christie