bp10_2009112_Respondtoapost

When I read Toni McBride's post on Flickr, I was encouraged in two ways. First, I was encourage to really start to use the tool, which appears to be much more than I had thought. Second, I was encouraged by Toni's ability to transition the lesson into such a meaningful topic for her students.  She wrote:

I would take the components of this lesson and change its focus to the JIm Crow era and segregation. The instructions are divided into three sections. Section one is for the students to do a review. I would assign students to review de facto and de jour segregation during the Jim Crow south. Also the students will be instructed to compare different stories about a historical figure (ex: Billie Holiday) or an event.

Part two would instruct the students to identify examples of either forms of segregation within the student's community (ex. de facto segregation in the cafeteria or local neighborhoods). Then, the students will use technology to record examples of either segregation within the student's community.

Step three would be for students to describe segregation activities across the country....

Wow! Now, that's a powerful way to make students understand how different tools and learnings can really be leveraged to make a difference in the world!  I have a feeling none of Toni's students will need to ask why they need to be learning what she's teaching, and that's really to point, isn't it? 

Tools and techniques will come and go, but the love of learning has to be inspired by inspired educators, like Toni.  I'll try Flickr now, not just because it seems to be a great tool, but moreover because it really does matter.

Thanks Toni!