I have been thoroughly enjoying the K12online Conference. If you haven't visited, do check it out.

Recently I soaked in the presentation by Clarence Fisher; it really made sense to me!  The title is ' Classroom 2.0 or You Live Where?' and I can recommend it highly.

I posted a comment to Clarence and then decided to use that to start a conversation here.  Clarence talks about the need to change what we are doing in our classrooms to reflect the way the world is changing. He describes the classroom as studio rather than the traditional arrangement with everyone doing the same thing, at the same time in basic silence; I wholeheartedly agree!

My concerns/questions:

I use many of the tools Clarence tossed out there - blogs, wikis, podcasts, videos to teach things, students teaching some things, studio-esce classroom atmosphere, etc., but (you had to know there was a BUT coming!), I am expected to give quizzes and exams and grades that fit on report cards.

How do you reconcile the realization WE have of how the classroom must change to serve our students' needs, with the existing structure of our schools and the expectations of parents and administration?

I love the way he explained what I've been doing for the past few years - 'changing my relationship with the curriculum' - but, again while I'm changing, the school structure is not.  I'm trying to effect that change and I feel like there is progress, but, in the mean time, how do you deal with the expected nature of school?

Thanks to Clarence for sharing his ideas.  Keep leading us in the right direction!