Category: Uncategorized

COVID’s Theory…A squared + B squared equals?

matthewpiercyInstruction
Just for Now
Sleep less and commute more.  These are not exactly selling points.  However, lockdowns are being broken and the migration back to places of work is to commence; if it hasn’t already.  Anxiety pours thicker through people’s veins, the anticipation lackluster to say the least.  Lists of “What I’m Not Excited About” being scripted in invisible ink.  Less time with family and more  social pressure.  Yet, chief atop my list, is not an aversion to “rules” and regulations, rather a mental fatigue as a result of  attempting in good faith to keep everything straight.  To abide, surely even more difficult than to even understand what schools and governments want.  To return to some semblance of “normal,” but maintain distance, wear a mask, and don’t use athletic fields.  All that seemingly makes us human, stripped down.  The dependable formula seemingly changed.  A squared plus B squared, for some reason now equals I squared.  Might the “I” variable represent “illogical?”  Or does it stand for “irrational?”  Regardless, I find it helps to remind myself of three words, totalling but 10 letters.
“Just for now.”  A sort of mantra.
A preliminary list of dos and don’ts
I Want to Be a YouTuber
I’ve been thinking a lot about the way how things panned out with “emergency learning,” a term I recently heard to replace “virtual learning.”  We’ve done the best we can, yet even before it is over I reflect on how I might be more effective come the Fall and the start of another school year.  With near 100%  certainty elements of learning remotely will still be offered in addition to the traditional face-to-face.  For families not yet reassured that schools are safe and for others that may be in remote locations.  Chief amongst my endevourings is for compliance to be substituted for engagement.  This leaves me with several ideas of what next to pursue, relative to methodologies that might prove more appealing to today’s learners.  The intentional use of more video, including videos of me, as I emulate compelling strategies employed by YouTubers?  Not only might this be more alluring, but it also is aligned with the evolution of learning anytime, anywhere and from anyone.  Only in this case, from ME and asynchronously.
Michael Wesch, professor of cultural anthropology & world religions, is my inspiration in this.  Breaking down the 4-walls of classrooms and taking learning out into the world, Wesch offers university students something a “little” different.  His most recent video is titled, “Teaching Online by Going Offline: The Adventure Lecture.”  
I Just Need to Finally Do it (Students and Digitally Portfolios)
More than 20 years ago I made a professional portfolio as part of my Masters work.  It was in binder form, as this was before the widespread use of personal computers.  From time to time I’ve considered picking back up on this idea, knowing the great benefits of a digital portfolio.  I also knocked around the idea of students creating theirs too.  However, like that box of stale cereal in the cupboard that we reach past, always for something tastier or fresher, I continually looked past the portfolio idea.
But not anymore.
Already wading waist-deep into the water, I continue to explore how I professionally can utilize the portfolio process.  Further, finding it a definitive high-impact practice, it is something I want for students.  The role it might play in empowering students is clear.  Students  are decision makers, as they curate their learning.  It screams out, “Ownership!” as passivity morphs into action.  Digital portfolios allow for authenticity, reflection, and an opportunity to showcase learning over time.  My guru for all things digital portfolios is George Couros.  He can found here:  George
Maybe it makes sense for my first YouTube video to be on portfolios.  Let’s see, how to make that combination memorable?

Lessons Learned From Being in Quarantine

matthewpiercyPersonal

I feel it is vital that we each continue to discover the power behind flexibility and changing routines.  Simultaneously, that we strengthen healthy habits, adapt but also develop trust throughout periods of uncertainty, and also tap into our personal creativity as we learn new skills.  Quarantine forced its hand in this process and I am thankful.

The impetus for thinking more about this “transformation,” dare I use such a commanding word, was the result of an e-mail from a friend I hadn’t heard from since B.P.  (before pandemic).  His comments spurred some reflection, as I wondered what might have been some of the “good by-products” of confinement.   My friend shared the following:
“I was able to go paddleboarding for the first time this spring. I bought a new inflatable paddleboard and went out with a friend – it was a beautiful day and the new paddleboard works great. I’ve been outdoors a lot this spring – going for long runs, walks and bike rides, and now paddle boarding. I’ve lost about 20 pounds and have been really getting fit. It’s been a welcome change, and a good by-product of the confinement and working from home.”
I am breaking “good by-products” of quaran-time into four categories.
I. Habits I Developed or Strengthened 
  • Long daily walks
  • Personal workouts (One of My Favorites)
  • Yoga (Thanks Adriene)
  • More frequent bike rides out into the outskirts of Bangkok
  • Podcasts (One of my favorites)
  • Twitter more active (@mpiercy35)
  • Digital portfolio / Blogging~teaching reflections
  • Time just being with our cats!
  • Daily coffee and enjoying the morning birdsong
  • Making teacher YouTubes and screencast tutorials
  • Vegetarian lifestyle (going on completion of the 5th month!)
II. Books I’ve Read
III. Writing to Which I Dedicated Myself
*Concurrently crafting an article titled, “Climate at the Apex of Education Re-design”
IV. Movies/Series I Watched
  • The Last Dance
  • Got to Call Saul
  • Bodyguard
  • House of Flowers
  • Dead to Me
  • Sick Note
  • Tiger King
  • How to Get Away With Murder
  • Love Sick
  • Ozark

Experiences Abroad Leave Indelible Marks Upon My Identity

matthewpiercyPersonal

I am thinking today on life experience and my good fortune of navigating through cultural differences.  Travel has at times provided glimpses of this but actually setting down roots for a year or more at a time, has made a more indelible mark upon my identity.  The choice for a more divergent path in life, leading to a welcoming of “the different.”  But also, a deep seated curiosity, sustained by a high degree of comfort in being an outsider looking in.

 

My Life in Table Contents Form: 

I.  USA / Kansas ~Childhood and Adolescence

II.  USA (Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Colorado) ~ University

III.  Australia ~ Study abroad

IV. Ecuador ~ First international teaching post

V. Mexico / Central America ~ GAP year for travel and self-discovery

V. Hungary ~ Second international teaching post

VI. USA (Georgia) ~ Rural teaching

VII. USA (Hawaii) ~ 10 years teaching at international boarding school

VIII. Tunisia ~ Third international teaching post

IX. Thailand ~ Fourth international teaching post

 

Disagreeing at work

Borrowed from:  Erin Meyer, “The Culture Map.”  Culture Matters

 

Reflecting on the contents of my life’s “table,” I actually am surprised when I consider how nearly half of my life has been out of the United States (excluding the Aloha state).  Moreover, all but 5 years have been in the classroom!  Yet, the transition this past year to Thailand provided possibly the starkest example of  how cultural patterns can be dissimilar.   A comparison of Tunisia to Thailand might be like comparing a wolverine to a platypus.  In direct opposition really, or perfect juxtaposition.  In figure 7.3 above, Tunisia would undoubtably be in quadrant A, no stranger to confrontation and extremely emotionally expressive.  The waving of hands, face to face shouting matches a way of life.  People of the same gender routinely greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and a big hug.  Fender benders result in belligerent posturing.

Whereas, Thailand unquestionably is positioned in quadrant D.  The Thai culture notorious for being gracious, accommodating, and calm at all costs.  Strict social norms and identifying with group-orientation, Thais avoid confrontation.  Further, similar to the Japanese but maybe not to the same degree, Thai people are more likely to be emotionally unexpressive.  Or, if anything, quick to smile even though this may not accurately reflect one’s thoughts and feelings.  If anything, it’s likely the emotions and disagreement are further clouded by the utterance of “mai chai,” which translates as “not yes.”

The contrast in life here in Asia versus North Africa was anticipated, yet continues to be a facet I curiously pursue.