As I was driving to school today, this car stopped beside me:
That’s a qr code on the back of a car. And not just any car: a Claims Response Team vehicle. I’m not sure what the insurance company was thinking–either they want you to take out your phone and scan that qr code while driving, or they didn’t really stop and think about what they were doing. I’m guessing the latter.
I see this same behavior in districts all the time. It’s the SQUIRREL Syndrome–just like Dug from Up, something new and shiny comes along, and we must have it. Initially, there was a clear strategy with clear goals, but we get distracted by a squirrel. In our district this year, we’re learning about Common Core. Last year, we learned about EFI (Effective First Instruction). The year before, we learn how to collaborate in our PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). These are all great strategies, but most staff meetings now focus on the minutia of the latest and greatest thing, and lose focus of the goal (improve student learning).
I am guilty of getting caught up in the lastest ed tech trends. Last school year, I bought a super fancy iPad holder that attaches to a music stand. I could have my iPad in front of me, and it would magically stay put. Guess what!??? That’s called a laptop!! My original goal was to add my seating chart spreadsheet to my iPad, so I could roam the classroom and informally assess students. At some point, I saw the iPad stand and became Dug the dog: “Squirrel!”
It’s clearly ridiculous that a car insurance company is encouraging drivers to use cell phones. It should be equally ridiculous when we add something unnecessary to our classroom. Don’t be afraid to try something new, but always make sure it supports your main goal.
