Shift Happens CanShift Happens Can be found at be found at

http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/ (This (This site provides several versions.)site provides several versions.)

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=ljbI-363A2Q=ljbI-363A2Q (This is the newest version) (This is the newest version)

The Globally Connected Economy The Globally Connected Economy and and

Future Competition Future Competition For Our StudentsFor Our Students

By teaming up, local educators and community leaders can forge a potent, conspiracy to help our children to strive for success in school and ultimately in life. (p. 128)

Hugh B. Price, former president of The National Urban Hugh B. Price, former president of The National Urban League, in his book League, in his book Mobilizing the Community to Help Mobilizing the Community to Help Students Succeed, Students Succeed, ASCD, 2008ASCD, 2008

The Millennial The Millennial

Born after 1986, they are differentBorn after 1986, they are different

The (Millennials) will be fragmented and The (Millennials) will be fragmented and difficult to reach. The increasing number of media difficult to reach. The increasing number of media channels - instant messaging, email, social channels - instant messaging, email, social networks, chat rooms, iPods, mobile phones, MP3 networks, chat rooms, iPods, mobile phones, MP3 Players, P2P networks, handheld devices, digital Players, P2P networks, handheld devices, digital video recorders, video games, game consoles and video recorders, video games, game consoles and next generation communities and devices - next generation communities and devices - through which this generation communicates and through which this generation communicates and consumes media & entertainment, makes them a consumes media & entertainment, makes them a highly elusive target for businesses hoping to highly elusive target for businesses hoping to reach to them.reach to them.

http://www.millennialsconference.com/ny/ Digital Media Wire, Inc.

“Along with differences in attitudes, millennials exhibit distinct learning styles. For example, their learning preferences tend toward teamwork, experientialexperiential activities, structure and the use of technology. Their strengths include multitaskingmultitasking, goal orientationgoal orientation, positive attitudes, and a collaborativecollaborative style.”

Oblinger, Diana. “Understanding the New Student.” Educause Review, 38.3 (2003): 36-42.

While Gen Xers were famously cynical when While Gen Xers were famously cynical when they entered the work force, Millennials are they entered the work force, Millennials are enthusiastic about contributing to their enthusiastic about contributing to their employers' growth. Aged 18 to mid-20s, the employers' growth. Aged 18 to mid-20s, the Millennials believe they're good team players Millennials believe they're good team players and expect to be included in strategic and expect to be included in strategic initiatives—and see that their contributions initiatives—and see that their contributions make an immediate differencemake an immediate difference

Patrick Kulesa, global research director for Chicago Patrick Kulesa, global research director for Chicago

global research and consulting firm global research and consulting firm ISRISR..

The Competition Is RealThe Competition Is Real

What will the community do?What will the community do?

Reconsider Our AssumptionsReconsider Our Assumptions

Assumption 1:Assumption 1:Testing proves intelligence Testing proves intelligence

and ability.and ability.

Too often our testing Too often our testing system rewards those who system rewards those who will be good at routine will be good at routine work rather than work rather than providing opportunities providing opportunities for students to display for students to display creative and innovative creative and innovative thinking and analysis.thinking and analysis.

Taken from Taken from Tough Choices Tough Times, Tough Choices Tough Times, 20072007, ,

National Center On Education and the EconomyNational Center On Education and the Economy

Assumption 2: Assumption 2: Failure is a bad thing and an end all.Failure is a bad thing and an end all.

At Stanford’s Department of Mechanical Engineering there is a saying that, “Spectacular failure is better than moderate success.” (Faste, 1996)

What is easily overlooked in our anxiety about ensuring success is that there can be no meaning or value in success without the experience of failure. ( (Chandler, Education Chandler, Education Week)Week)

Assumption 3: Assumption 3: Team projects cannot be used to measure Team projects cannot be used to measure

intelligence and skill.intelligence and skill.

It is difficult to identify individual contributions within a It is difficult to identify individual contributions within a team. Some students can avoid making any real team. Some students can avoid making any real contributions whilst being carried, or hiding behind, contributions whilst being carried, or hiding behind, stronger group members. Stronger group members can stronger group members. Stronger group members can become disillusioned without the benefit of appropriate become disillusioned without the benefit of appropriate recognition. recognition.

How does business do it? Can business help schools How does business do it? Can business help schools see the way to make teaming a reality for learning?see the way to make teaming a reality for learning?

Assumption 4: Assumption 4: Technical education is a hands on learning Technical education is a hands on learning

experience therefore easier.experience therefore easier.

The story from Dennis Cisney of The story from Dennis Cisney of Cisney/O’Donnell construction.Cisney/O’Donnell construction.

Mike Rose story: Mike Rose story: A Whole New MindA Whole New Mind

Assumption 5: Assumption 5: Education is determined, delivered, Education is determined, delivered,

and dispensed by schools. and dispensed by schools.

We need to discuss the purpose of our We need to discuss the purpose of our schools. schools.

We need to discuss what community must We need to discuss what community must do to impact schools.do to impact schools.

We need to discuss accountability of We need to discuss accountability of students as part of the equation.students as part of the equation.

Dan Perna can be reachedDan Perna can be reached

dperna@jamesdanielassociates.comdperna@jamesdanielassociates.com

Box 486, Shamokin Dam, PA 17876Box 486, Shamokin Dam, PA 17876

570 850 7733570 850 7733