Halfway through my seventh grade year, the electrical receptacle in my social studies teacher’s room went haywire. In most classrooms, this wouldn’t be a problem, but he used that outlet for his media cart to show movies every Friday. His solution: use the outlet in the hallway. Within two weeks he had a student monitor sitting in the hallway to watch the documentary and protect the plug. Cue the middle school shenanigans and it was every man for himself. The stark reality of this situation - it’s the only time in my early schooling career where my teacher opened the door. There were other, rare opportunities to “open the door” as I got older, but it was rarely encouraged. So, 20 years later, how can we encourage teachers to open their classroom doors?
Recognize the door can swing both ways.
First - Outward. This should come as no surprise, but that piece of technology in almost every student’s pocket or backpack is powerful. Recognizing that social media, blogging, and other forms or communication are opportunities for engagement in the learning process will only speed up a student’s connections - to family, friends, and a broader audience. At the same time, personal, face-to-face, interactions give students a chance to practice skills they often get chastised for not having. Pushing, and providing, opportunities for students to engage in community-based learning serves as a bond between school and town. Allow students to leave the confines of the classroom to explore and learn from others.
The door swings inward, too. As a high school teacher, it’s easy to claim entitlement over your area of expertise. After all, you spent four (or more) years studying Mesopotamia, dangling participles, and wet folding techniques. Teaming up with other teachers, professionals, or community change-agents seems like a daring prospect. Design an award for community organizations. Write original songs with local musicians. Design a piece of children’s historical non-fiction with local authors or historians. Build a city with local civil engineers. In my experience, people are willing to participate in unique learning experiences that benefit students. But you need to invite them in!
An open door keeps the learning fresh. With new people and ideas, students access the content and skills in different ways. Ways that foster innovation, acceptance, and engagement.
Recognize the door can swing both ways.
First - Outward. This should come as no surprise, but that piece of technology in almost every student’s pocket or backpack is powerful. Recognizing that social media, blogging, and other forms or communication are opportunities for engagement in the learning process will only speed up a student’s connections - to family, friends, and a broader audience. At the same time, personal, face-to-face, interactions give students a chance to practice skills they often get chastised for not having. Pushing, and providing, opportunities for students to engage in community-based learning serves as a bond between school and town. Allow students to leave the confines of the classroom to explore and learn from others.
The door swings inward, too. As a high school teacher, it’s easy to claim entitlement over your area of expertise. After all, you spent four (or more) years studying Mesopotamia, dangling participles, and wet folding techniques. Teaming up with other teachers, professionals, or community change-agents seems like a daring prospect. Design an award for community organizations. Write original songs with local musicians. Design a piece of children’s historical non-fiction with local authors or historians. Build a city with local civil engineers. In my experience, people are willing to participate in unique learning experiences that benefit students. But you need to invite them in!
An open door keeps the learning fresh. With new people and ideas, students access the content and skills in different ways. Ways that foster innovation, acceptance, and engagement.