I love the fall — it’s an exciting time of renewal — a new school year with shiny floors and everyone looking refreshed and energized. It is also a time when I hear lots of suggestions about what we should be teaching. Here are some of my all-time favourites:
changing a flat tire
surviving in the wild
negotiating a contract
filling out a federal tax form
growing vegetables
performing basic pet care
displaying manners such as holding a door
investing in stocks and bonds
sewing on a button
‘Basic pet care’ was new to me this year. Not sure what that means beyond feeding your dog, putting out some fresh water, going for walks, and taking them to the vet when they need it … but I digress. That’s not really the point.
An innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers or systems like K-12 education operate. Disruptive technologies sweep away the processes they replace because they have attributes that are significantly superior.
We live in a world where changes are the norm — and they are happening at a pace that is often mind-boggling.
Some changes are thrust upon us:
Inflation / Consumer Price Index changes
New Taxes
Daylight Savings Time
When a Pumpkin Spice Latte was all the rage
… while other changes may be optional:
EVs (Electric vehicles)
Seasonal coffee flavours at Starbucks (still have to try the pumpkin spice latte)
New slip-on shoes without shoelaces (these seem like a great new idea, but are they cool?)
When its technology we’re talking about, change typically occurs because the new tech is faster, more user friendly or perhaps even cheaper:
LIGHT BULBS … replaced candles
AUTOMOBILES … replaced the horse & buggy
CALCULATORS … replaced the slide rule
The INTERNET … replaced encyclopedias
In all of these cases the technology change was DISRUPTIVE — the new tech replacing, or disrupting, the existing technology. Transition to the new tech was slow and somewhat predictable over time.
Today, there is a new disruptive tech that is sweeping the planet — and it has been an overnight sensation. Hundreds of millions of users ‘signed on’ in just a couple of months. It has both captivated the world and at the same time created a bit of fear with its insurgence.
When one talks about The Glory Years we typically refer to those times in our past that are remembered for great success or happiness. Maybe it’s your 20s, 30s or even your 50s. Most people probably don’t think it’s when they were a toddler.
However, the years from 2-7 are when our brains are best primed for learning — so, from a learning perspective these are indeed The Glory Years.
The first critical period of rapid brain development happens around ages 2 to 7 — the second and final one happens during adolescence. Between the ages of 2 and 7 the nerve connections between brain cells (called synapses) actually double in number, accelerating learning. After age 7 the brain begins to ‘trim’ its neural connections to focus on the areas most useful for daily life. So, it’s during the early years that learning things like languages, interrelationships between concepts, and the mastering of physical tasks like running or riding a bike happen with greater ease.
Albert Einstein
If you are familiar with Albert Einstein, the extraordinary scientist from the early part of the 20th century, you may also know that his childhood was anything but normal. He struggled to even speak as a young child, and had some significant issues in school including being expelled. But, as difficult as his early years were, he was incredibly successful in some areas such as playing the violin, studying magnetism, and being able to think in pictures rather than words. His well known adult accomplishments can likely be tied to his diverse childhood experiences.
The Power of Why 