Remix véjà du

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Looking at Education Through a New Lens

I can’t imagine a more exciting, stimulating and challenging Masters program than the one that I am in currently a part of. In just eight days of the MAET (Year 1) program I am enhancing my knowledge of technology education immensely. I have been making connections to technology and it’s true purpose in the 21st century classroom. My eyes have been opened to numerous new concepts and terminology, that I think are really important for any 21st century educator to know.

What can we do to shake up the classroom and make it ‘new’ again?

I have found that in this digital age it is tough to capture students’ attention, and to hold it long enough to power through a lesson. Not only can holding their attention for the duration of a lesson be difficult, but in doing so we may also be diminishing a students’ chance for creativity. Cramming information into students and requiring them to memorize the information is no longer a strategic educational plan for the innovative world in which we live. I do not mean that lecturing to a class is invalid, because content and purpose within a subject area is most pertinent, however, creating an experience for students to explore is critical in their understanding. In the book How People Learn, an observation is made regarding the evolution of knowledge, “knowing has shifted from being able to remember and repeat information to being able to find and use it” (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000).

“knowing has shifted from being able to remember and repeat information to being able to find and use it”

Students need to be able to apply and transfer what they learn in order to grow and keep afloat in the inventive world we live in. There are many ways in which we as educators can foster this hands-on approach within our classrooms. Remix and véjà du are just two of the many new terms I have become familiar with over the past week, that I look forward to sharing with others.

Remix

When I say the term “remix” I am not referring to the mixing of songs, however if you are a Music Educator it could apply to you. Remixing means to combine or add elements to any facet or genre, to reinvent or to make something new. Musicians, filmmakers, authors and artists are well known for remixing, by combining elements of their favorite works and adding to them to create a unique composition of their own. Ferguson, the creator of Everything is a Remix  (2014) video series, makes interesting points about how many of our favorite songs and most beloved films are actually a remix. George Lucas, the creative genius and director of the Star Wars films is mentioned in the video series as an ultimate remixer. Viewing side-by-side clips of old films that influenced Lucas is quite fascinating, and is the perfect visual example of a remix. Although, many artists, singers and filmmakers remix different genres, it does not mean it is limited to the arts and entertainment world. All of us can remix old ideas to make them new again.

All of us can remix old ideas to make them new again.

The idea of a remix is an interesting concept to combine with Education. If you really think about it, educators are the ultimate remixers. We are constantly thinking about what content we need to teach, and how we can remix it to engage an appropriate grade level. If you feel like your students are not engaged you need to consider mixing things up. I guarantee you, you can come up with a more exciting and relatable experience for your students. To remix in the classroom you can incorporate technology (if it is appropriate), you could try a new starter at the beginning of class or you can simply create an engaging cross-curricular lesson. To properly remix in the classroom you need to consider taking a chance and creating a véjà du experience.

Véjà du

According to Mishra (2008), véjà du is “about looking at a familiar situation but with fresh eyes, as if you’ve never seen it before. So if déjà vu is about making the strange look familiar, véjà du is all about making the familiar look strange”. I love this concept because it can really engage and excite students, but it also can push and encourage teachers to think differently too. By looking at things in a new way it ignites a spark in all of us, no matter the age. My MAET class was lucky enough to have Punya Mishra speak to us about this concept. He introduced the idea of véjà du and had an engaging activity planned next. We were allowed to wander the halls for a few minutes with our phones. We had to find one object and photograph it from three different angles. We came back to class to share our photos and played a guessing game to determine which objects were photographed. This activity challenged me to look at an ordinary object through a new lens.

Can you guess the object I photographed?

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Educators of all content areas need to find a way to allow students to truly experience content in a new way. The concept of véjà du can seem intimidating or may seem like a lot of work to do. As a teacher I know that it is easy to get comfortable and to want to stay in your ways, but we simply can not afford to do that. A valid point is made by Berger in the book A More Beautiful Question, “When we start teaching too much, too soon, we’re inadvertently cutting off paths of inquiry and exploration that kids might otherwise pursue on their own” (2014). We need to allow our content to soak in and allow students to explore it before moving forward.

It will take effort and creativity on your part to start transforming a remix in your classroom, but it will be well worth it. There is no right or wrong way to approach creating a remix or véjà du experience. As long as you switch up the norm and change your approach you will create a unique learning moment for students and also yourself.

I challenge YOU

to transform and remix what you do in the classroom.

Discover what is familiar to your students and yourself, whether it classroom procedures or an activity. Consider ways in which you can make the familiar strange or new.

Beware: In accepting this challenge you may just see that spark in students you have been yearning to see all along. You may also find failure, that’s ok too. Take risks and try new things. You will never know unless you try.

 

Answer to 3 images above: Electrical Outlet

References

Berger, W. (2014). A More Beautiful Question? The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas. New York: Bloomsbury USA

Bransford, J., Brown, A.L. & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309070368

Ferguson, K. (2014, January 29). Everything is a Remix (Parts 1-4). Retreived from https://www.behance.net/ kirbyferguson

Mishra, P. (2008, August 4). Véjà du for the first time ever! Retrieved from http://punya.educ.msu.edu/2008/ 08/04/veja-du-for-the-first-time-ever/

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