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Learning at its Best

3 Thoughts on the Real World

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Three Random Thoughts on the Real World:

1. I always hated when teachers would say, “In the real world . . . ” to justify practices that felt unjust. Or they would say, “Life isn’t fair,” to explain away something wrong within the classroom. In the real world there are people who fight on the side of justice. In the real world, there are people who believe in compassion.

2. In the real world, grownups drink and operate vehicles (though hopefully not at the same time). They procreate. They pay the mortgage. They vote. I don’t want kids doing any of those things.

3. The real world is great, but I want a good portion of life to be chiseled out for fantasy. If there isn’t room for a few unicorns and wizards then life just got way too boring.

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John T. Spencer is a teacher in Phoenix, AZ who blogs at Education Rethink. He recently finished Pencil Me In, an allegory for educational technology and A Sustainable Start, a book for new teachers. He also wrote the reform-minded memoirs Teaching Unmasked: A Humble Alternative to Waiting For a Superhero and Sages and Lunatics. He has written two young adult novels Drawn Into Danger and A Wall for Zombies. You can connect with him on Twitter @johntspencer

About John Spencer

I teach. I write. I live. I want to do all three authentically.

Discussion

7 thoughts on “3 Thoughts on the Real World”

  1. I’m thinking it’s time to start a hashtag called #edsnark – thoughts?

    Posted by John T. Spencer | February 6, 2012, 2:35 pm
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  2. I think that I’d actually like kids to vote, if not for the real elections, then for elections that matter. I think you learn about Democracy by actually participating in it.

    I wonder about the nature of our curriculum. Should it be a balance between fantasy and fun, versus relevant (ie. based on things kids will do in their life)? I don’t want to have students engaged in competition in schools “because they’ll have to compete in the real world” but I do want them to attempt to plan for a future selves’ retirement (which is something that too few adults do).

    Posted by dwees | February 6, 2012, 2:41 pm
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  3. I also wanted to add that #3 is so important to me as well.

    Posted by dwees | February 6, 2012, 2:44 pm
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  4. I’ll see you at the bar to discuss the matter further.

    Posted by Kirsten Olson | February 6, 2012, 3:18 pm
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