Remembering Our Teaching Purpose
MICHAEL SOSKIL
KANSAS LEADS
WICHITA, KS
2024
HOW THIS CREATURE CHANGED HOW I THINK ABOUT TEACHING
MY TEACHING LIFE
Why did you choose to become a teacher?
Would you be excited to be a student in your classroom?
The Relevance of Relevance
What is the purpose of education?
Gert Biesta:�Education Model for Healthy Democratic Society
PROJECT LINC: HOW I FOUND MY WHY
UNDERSTANDING OUR SHARED HUMANITY
Why is teaching so hard right now?
The “Learnification” of Education
For the past 2 decades, school has been increasingly driven by big data (standardized tests) and market forces
Focus on relationships, social-emotional skills, the arts, creativity, and critical thinking has declined
Education of the whole child (holistic education) has decreased
Language changes: "life-long learning," "personalized learning," "learning outcomes," "learners"
Education vs. Learning
“Learning” is one small part of “education.”
To be educated, you need to be able to
Right now, A.I. can…
Pass nearly every exam
Replicate your voice with less than 10 seconds of recording
Turn your picture into a realistic video of you speaking
Create visual art, poetry, and screenplays
Replace actors in movies and shows
Write lesson plans and unit plans
What character trait correlates most with success?
Emotional Intelligence (Empathy)
BEFORE LOOKING TO VIRTUAL REALITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AS SOLUTIONS IN EDUCATION…��WE MUST HELP OUR CHILDREN USE EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TO COPE WITH ACTUAL REALITY
Our children are dealing with…
Rising suicide rates
Self harm
Stress, anxiety, mental health Issues
Cyberbullying
Illegal Drug Use
Economic Stress
Social Media Misinformation
Trouble Sleeping
Environmental concerns
Political radicalization in community
Little things that seem to help�my students’ social-emotional health
Starting class with SEL activities
Explicitly focusing on social interactions within lessons
Setting aside class time to check-in with students
Vitamin N – Moving class outside
PREDICTIONS ABOUT 4IR FROM FUTURE OF WORK REPORT �2017
The world is changing faster than ever.�Problem solving must be a focus in education.
Technology Advance 🡪
Societal Change 🡪
New Problems in Society
Photo Credit: Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Chapter 1
Design Thinking is how we solve problems.��How do we teach this skill to children? ��How do you want children using your class’s content to solve problems in their lives?
STEM (STEAM/STREAM)
Is NOT adding more Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Is a culture of problem solving in which all available resources and subjects are used to solve problems.
Involves design thinking
Requires creativity (and the arts are critical)
What’s the difference between the design process and ”guess and check?”
Design process is informed by data
Planning should include information about how you will collect data to evaluate your design.
Qualitative data helps us understand the lived experiences of those we are trying to help.
Avoiding Unintended Consequences
HUMILITY TO KNOW YOU MIGHT BE WRONG
SEEKING DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE (MIGHT BE) IMPACTED
Students need the Arts, Reading, History, Math, Science, and the Humanities.��They also need to know how to apply what they’ve learned. ��They need relevance.
POP-UP CONCERTS BY THE FOX CHAPEL ORCHESTRA
What are your core values as an educator? ��What are the non-negotiables in your classroom?
Stand and Discuss �� 2 Minutes
If your practices don’t match your values, you burn out.
My Values and Culture
Core Values
Classroom Culture
SAMR Updated for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Photo Credit: Teaching in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Chapter 1
MASLOW BEFORE BLOOM 🡪 BLOOM THROUGH MASLOW
@msoskil
@msoskil
We can help every student be a creative problem solver.
EVERY CHILD HAS THE ABILITY TO IMPACT THEIR WORLD
Global vs. Local Focus
We are all connected. Helping others in your community is helping yourself.
Technology is closing the gaps between those communities.
We are all a part of many communities.
School
Local
National
Global
My Students’ Global Connections 2014-20: �95 Countries+��
Virtual Field Trips
Start with the Experience, not the Curriculum
PBL – It’s not just ”doing projects”
PBL – Problem/Project Based Learning
PBL – Project or Problem Based Learning�What’s the difference?
Project Based Learning
Problem Based Learning
PROBLEM BASED LEARNING EXAMPLE:��CHILDREN AGAINST CHILD LABOR PROJECT
How Do I Get Started? ��The PBL Progression
Doing ‘projects’ – NOT PBL
Learning happens before assignment
Little is learned while completing project
Learning is not relevant
Project Based Learning
Project is assigned before learning
More planning, less ‘instruction’
Learning is relevant if project is relevant
Problem Based Learning
Problem is identified before learning
Highest level of student autonomy/agency
Learning is highly relevant
HIP Academy – Bungoma County Bridge Project
The Magic Words��“We should do something about that.”
Every problem in the world has a solution locked inside our students’ passions. ��Helping them find their purpose is how we remember ours.�
Connect with Me
Email: mrsoskil@gmail.com
Books, teacher training, resources, and more information: michaelsoskil.com
Get the slides and bonus resources:
MichaelSoskil.com/KSLeads