I Promise...

It's a time of New Year's Resolutions, Top 10 Lists (the 2010 thing to do), and reflection.

I was about to write something that I thought would be worth my time, then I thought a little further, and decided that my criticism of something that someone else had written wasn't a wise use of my time, effort, or desire to keep things simple (see items # 1, 2, and 4 below). It is not that what I would have said would have been right or wrong, just that I'm not sure it would have been productive.

So...

In the spirit of the new year, I promise...

1. Not to waste my time or yours with cyclical arguments based on opinions (or "research" that was concocted to support an opinion).
2. Not to criticize methods of teaching/learning/or whatever we decide to call the process of schooling.
3. Not to tell you, when I can ask you.
4. Not to bother you while you are doing what cannot be done.
5. Not to believe that 'new' means better when it comes to technology use in schools.
6. To be supportive of your ideas.
7. To focus on what my students need from me and want from school. And if it helps you with your students - great.
   
8. To read with an open, yet critical mind - to separate wheat from chaff, in order to do what is best for my students.
   
9. To think globally and act locally - realizing the the planet is getting smaller, and "local" is bigger than it used to be.
10. To speak to the basic needs of humanity, instead of the unlimited wants of narrowly focused communities.

Wow, that's a lot of stuff.  This should simplify my life if I can follow each of them, don't you think?  Can you help me accomplish these tasks? [item #3]

I do not want you to think I will lose my sense of history and humor.  I leave you with my favorite New-Year's-Resolution-like, audience-participation performance from Steve Martin (sorry, I can't find a video/audio clip anywhere):

STEVE MARTIN: Let’s repeat the Non-Conformist Oath. I promise to be different.
AUDIENCE: I promise to be different.
STEVE MARTIN: I promise to be unique.
AUDIENCE: I promise to be unique.
STEVE MARTIN: I promise not to repeat things other people say.
AUDIENCE: I promise … [Dissolves into nervous laughter.]

I guess this means Steve Martin will never use the ReTweet feature.

Posted via email from Murry's World