I read something today that I can’t stop thinking about. Storyboards. I’ve always thought they were awesome. A well planned movie, all organized with every detail. I’ve always thought they helped kids produce a better final project – and in turn, I thought they enhanced the learning. But what else do they do?
Limit ideas.
Fence kids in.
Make it my plan with their thoughts.
Set up the structure and lets kids fill in the blanks.
Like a worksheet.
A worksheet.
So that we’ll end up with a product that’s complete and nice. Our way.
Some kids want to use a storyboard.
Some kids don’t.
The moment we say, “Do this…” we’ve inserted ourselves as a fence post, not a guide post. And too many fence posts? We’ve trapped our learners and cut off the possibilities.
Reading “Invent to Learn” today, I was reminded that the storyboard might help some kids and might hinder others. But, I’ve been too busy instructing to notice it. Too busy caught up in the Madeline Hunter ways I learned in college. Cringe.
Being wrong never feels good. Being oblivious to what is in front of me feels worse. But you know what’s even worse? Telling everyone to do the same thing, and expecting the same results. Because that means you’re not learning, changing, or growing and neither is anyone you’re guiding.
Because they’re trapped in your fence posts. It’s time to open the gates and set them free.