Comments on: No Talk and All Action

By: Enough about Edupunk | connect. create. question.

Enough about Edupunk | connect. create. question. — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 06:46:58 +0000

[...] was even invited to share all the best “edupunk” ideas I use regularly (though I had to respectfully decline). I’ve seen all the hype and I just can’t shake the feeling that we have seen this all [...]

By: lindsea

lindsea — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:00:57 +0000

I know exactly what you mean when you say intellectual masturbation. That phrase has crossed my mind multiple times in the past three days. In the ironic and figurative sense, of course.

By: Tony Hirst

Tony Hirst — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:48:40 +0000

Here’s a starter for 10:

http://nogoodreason.typepad.co.uk/no_good_reason/2008/06/one-for-the-edupunkers.html

By: Intrepidteacher

Intrepidteacher — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:36:35 +0000

@Ms. Michetti,

I sense a very different tone form you on this comment. Gone is your carefree, yoga infused chill vibe that I usually see on twitter. I am feeling a sense of frustration that I can only guess is rooted in end of the year stress, over saturation of this whole Edupunk thing, and perhaps my own warped sense of sensing tone in text.

I am a bit confused why this topic is becoming so adversarial in so many circles. What is it about this word that has so many people so passionately writing for either side. The answer to that question will embarrassingly probably turn into my third post in the subject in three days, but let me address some things you mentioned in your comment:

I have been “doing” edupunk since I began teaching. If Edupunk is about being creative with tools you have to ensure students LEARN and not allowing corporate culture to guide my tool choices, then Amen, brotha — it’s been happening already.

That’s great. I don’t think any one is saying that now that “good” teaching has a shiny new name everything you have done since this name appeared is irrelevant. We can trace the idea behind Edupunk back to Socrates if we so wished. I am just excited because I haven’t seen this much fervor over anything since I entered the edublogosphere, another term I can’t stand, a few months ago. This project was thought up in the spirit if that enthusiasm. Nothing more. I am not trying to ask teachers to prove they are Edupunk, or that they are not doing their jobs. I am sure the projects your class is doing that you mentioned are amazing. It would be great to see some of them. I think the spirit of web 2.0 is sharing what we do with as many people as possible. I was simply asking for a view into what you are doing.

While I respect the fact that perhaps other educators out there don’t “get” it, June is not the time for me to show ya what I’ve got.

The deadline was only set to see how quickly different ideas and projects can come together. Hey understand you are very busy. I don’t have a job right now, so perhaps I am at more of a liberty to ask for short time frame projects. This doesn’t have to be something huge. I think that is one of the trademarks of how I envision Edupunk. It is a simple flier, or a stencil, or a short embeddable ad, just something that will culture jam and raise awareness on some topic of social significance. Something to spark thought, discussion, and action.

So, I’m sorry, I can’t contribute at this time. But if you drop in on my classroom on any given day, I’m sure you’ll see that what I’m doing is edupunk enough.

While we can’t all look into your classroom to see your work, you can give us a taste.

And it bothers me that this is a new buzzword, because it ain’t a new concept…

Point well taken! You are right. Call it whatever you want. I just want to see it, though not necessarily by you because you are busy! Wink, wink. It’s all in good fun. Namaste

By: MsMichetti

MsMichetti — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:33:46 +0000

@Intrepidteacher
I welcome the invitation, but — fer real? I must respectfully decline, for the following reasons:

1- I have been “doing” edupunk since I began teaching. If Edupunk is about being creative with tools you have to ensure students LEARN and not allowing corporate culture to guide my tool choices, then Amen, brotha — it’s been happening already.

2- While I respect the fact that perhaps other educators out there don’t “get” it, June is not the time for me to show ya what I’ve got. This week: I have essay exams to mark (Grade 10), not to mention some really amusing letters from grade 6 (about who Jupiter should choose for the next God of Human Rights), some crazy dream descriptions from Grade 7 (”Ms. M – what if all our dreams are rude?”), and then I have to fill out a gazillion tick boxes on report cards. Next week: student surveys (so I can make improvements on my courses and my instruction next year), a whole-school Olympic day in celebration of the upcoming games, and portfolio organization so my students can showcase their best work. Wait – is any of this edupunk? It doesn’t matter, because right now I just need to get through it all. Really, there could not be a worse time. Wait- maybe August / September when it all starts over again — then might be a worse time!

So, I’m sorry, I can’t contribute at this time. But if you drop in on my classroom on any given day, I’m sure you’ll see that what I’m doing is edupunk enough. Sadly, I cringe to think it will be called that. And it bothers me that this is a new buzzword, because it ain’t a new concept…