Rule of Awkward Silence

Awkward silence is an effective tool in education. In business, the strategy is often referred to as the ‘Rule of Awkward Silence’ however, in education, we simply call it wait time. As a rule, business people are taught to not answer questions presented until pausing for 10 seconds to gather thoughts. Many times, that 10 seconds of dead air can feel like an eternity and it makes people really uncomfortable. This strategy is employed by some very successful companies such as Apple, Tesla, and Amazon to name a few. Though they use the strategy, they certainly didn’t discover it, though it may have been used on them in grade school. Teachers however, have used wait time for as long as there have been lessons. The wait time creates the awkward silence and many educators are quite comfortable with the idea.

Now the 10 second rule is a general rule of thumb. A teacher will ask a question of the students (not an individual student, but the whole class). Once the question is asked, the teacher will call on a random student and wait for the answer. Many young teachers forget this very valuable part of the lesson. The wait time allows the student to process the question, though it feels very awkward for those around them. Once 10 seconds is past, the teacher will call for the answer. If the student does not know, then another student may be called upon to move the lesson along. When done correctly, the silence is deafening. 

In education, we also utilized the ‘Stop and Count to 10’ strategy when helping students work through conflict. Whether we are talking about actions or just words, we ask students to stop and count to 10 before taking the next step. Oftentimes, it clears the mind, so a better decision can be made. With that in mind, I don’t believe it is awkward at all. It is a valid and important part of our communication process. Just think how great things would be if we could pull back some things we have said, or maybe never said it all. Embrace the awkward silence and always pause before you speak or act. Everything else will take care of itself.

Until next time...

Power of the Positive

In this time of distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, it is important to note how important positive relationships are for students. Positive relationships contribute to an overall positive school culture and at times can moderate other negative interpersonal interactions. Furthermore, negative interactions that do not get moderated can impact the perception of ability within a student. To use a common phrase, the positive interactions will outweigh the negative. Research shows that strong positive teacher-student interactions promote an increase in student achievement. Additionally, students tend to behave better and have better grades when support relationships are present. Not only does positive interaction impact student achievement, but the impact on scholastic adjustment and academic goal orientation is notable.

The positive effects of relationships at school are not only extended by the teacher. Research finds that when students perceive caring and support from an adult it is positively associated with emotional support. Furthermore, the relationship between a teacher and the student is not only associated with better student behavior but it is linked to increased engagement. Students also concern themselves with their peers. If the peer group demands engagement, then the students will reciprocate with increased academic engagement levels. Moreover, peer groups can increase student motivation to participate, engage, and become a success.

The bottom line in the research is that students are more successful in school when positive relationships exist. Building those relationships is the most difficult challenge educators have in this distance learning environment, but they are up to the task.

Until next time...

Happy Halloween

We have reached the end of October and are looking at the beginning of the holiday season. Cooler days and chilly nights are upon us and the pandemic rages. Let us also throw on the table the fact that this weekend is ‘Fall Back”, and a blue moon. Add to the mix a Presidential election in four days that has been littered with ugliness. With that, you can probably join me in saying, enough is enough. C’mon 2020, give us a break already! That being said, I may not be able to change the world but I can change the lens with which I view it. Now, I know that I have a particularly optimistic view and it could be almost cliché however it is still my goal. If I can view my world through a lens of positivity, I may be able to influence those around me. With just that mindset change, it may be my little part of making incremental change. Isn’t it incumbent on all of us to help those around us. Don’t we all want to strive for a more forgiving and less combative world or environment. I think we all do. So in difficult times, it is important for all of us to come back to the center. I hold on to the optimism and focus on that which I can control for in my own little world. It certainly makes a difference. Have a most excellent weekend....Go PUPS! (cue Howard Jones - Things Can Only Get Better).

Until next time...

Light in the Tunnel

The times are tough. That statement is certainly relative. I am a student of history and I have read about some fairly difficult times for people in the past that would not even compare to today. That being the case, when talking to students they only see it through their eyes. School is distant due to the pandemic, the California fires are raging making the air hazardous to breathe, unemployment is on rise because of both conditions, and social interaction with other kids is limited to the digital environments. Yes, the times are certainly different and can be classified as tough, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Though things are tough, I am choosing to see the bright side. Teachers are learning inventive ways to present curriculum and students are responding. Parents are involved in the education of their sons and daughters. Families are not only forced to spend more time together, they are actually talking more. Yes, we will get through this. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It is my hope that the outcome of this mess will be stronger family bonds. Possibly reading levels will increase due to students having to do so. I hold out hope that students will yearn to be in class so much that their behavior will be improved. I hope that the compassion and consideration our teachers have embodied during distance learning they carry into the classroom because so many students will need it. I do believe the future is bright.

I acknowledge that times are tough and a definite struggle for some. I also know that this too shall pass. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, let’s just hope it’s not a train.

Until next time...

Impact of Social Media

The reputation of the public school system has been long defined by the test scores of language arts and mathematics. Moving forward however, education professionals will have to embrace new strategies for teaching problem solving and critical thinking skills, with a focus on the expertise needed for 21st century competitiveness. School districts cannot be comfortable with the status quo and must overcome the resistance to change in order to improve academic achievement. As part of the school reform process, schools must review different programs to increase student interaction with the outside world, as well as implement strategies that improve school culture. Improved communication within the classroom along with the embracing of new technology will help to bring the world into the classroom.

Since social media plays such a significant role in the life of a high school student, it is nearly impossible to not discuss technology as a factor in school culture. As classrooms nationwide become more connected through social media or other tech-inspired programs, there could be a negative impact as students not only have access to global information but must learn to balance their social media activity with their academics. As a leisure activity, social media has become increasingly popular and though many students can balance their time spent with social media, some use is excessive and even compulsory, leading to depression or lowered self-esteem when social media use is interrupted at school. Regardless of social media, with the onset of advancing technology in schools, soon the time will come when a school is not measured by the number of students enrolled and the attendance metric, but by the mastery of essential standards through the use of communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.

The bottom line is that schools need to embrace the changing world and continue to infuse technology into the classroom.  By developing digital outreach avenues as best practices they can better serve the student population.

Until next time...

Calling Home

One week to go in October. The weather is cooling to the point that we wish we had it back in the dog days of summer. It is simply glorious. Though the weather has cooled, we know school is heating up. We are at the point in the semester when students begin to trail off and they need encouragement more than ever. The semester finish line is off in the distance and anything we can do to support the student is really needed at this time. In a meeting I had with parents, they echoed that call. They want teachers to reach out to them to tell them when their son or daughter is struggling. They want to help and sometimes just don’t know how. Calling home is the most important thing we can do as a school and it is the one thing that we are not the best at doing. Parents are the best advocate for the student and they can be the best advocate for the school as well. We just have to give them the opportunity. Let us all place ourselves in the shoes of the parents. Wouldn’t you like to have a conversation with a teacher if your son or daughter was struggling? Certainly so. These times are difficult for everyone. All the more reason why we should always be asking ourselves if we are part of the problem or part of the solution? I’ll leave that for you to ponder. Have a most excellent weekend....Go PUPS! (cue Beatles - Imagine).

Until next time...

Game of Balance

Life is truly a game of balance.  A balance of work duties, family obligations, and personal time in a 24 hour period.  According to what we all know to be true, life can be broken down into thirds. That means that a third of our day we spend at work, a third we spend at leisure, leaving a third of the time for sleep. When breaking down a 24 hour day, that gives us about 8 hours for each one however, is that a true representation?

I do know that whenever any of the thirds overlap, problems or challenges may arise.  For example, I don’t believe anyone feels it is appropriate to sleep at work.  What about play at work?  Probably not the best way to utilize your time. What if either of the other two infringe on sleep?  When that happens, the result is probably spending the next day very tired. If this situation were to continue, the loss of sleep would have negative physical and/or emotional effects.

Understanding this, I really try to keep my thirds separated. There is a time for work, a time for sleep, and a time for leisure. All are very important and should be kept separated with no blending or overlap.  As a person that enjoys my family, anytime I bring work home, I sacrifice time.  As a school administrator, there are evenings that I am going to spend at school.  Many times, that time extends into time with the family. Most importantly, when those days occur, I am obligated to ‘make it right’. So I chisel out extra time to be with the kids.

All and all, I believe in life as big a game of balance.  Balance of the important with that which is not so much.  Balance of what to eat and what to eat not so much of, and the balance of time.  As the saying goes, the time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. 

Until next time...