Through the Eyes of an Author

I’d like to introduce a new buzzword for educators: let’s strive for “sustainable learning” in our schools. For too long, our schools have driven curriculum around student test performance and rigid testing requirements have frustrated our teachers. Yes, we need to measure the success of student learning so that we don’t leave any kids behind. But if that learning isn’t sustainable—if the students don’t remember the lessons in one, five, or even fifty years—then is their education a success, even if they pass the test? I’d say no.

Sustainable learning is about teaching lessons that resonate with students—ones they won’t forget. Because what good is an education that evaporates with age? And how can you inspire a love of learning in students if the lessons and curriculum lack juice and excitement? How can we achieve sustainable learning? By delivering memorable and fun lessons that students will never forget. 

An attractive vehicle for sustainable learning is the use of stories and animation in curriculum. Kids love to create video clips and post them on the Internet. Everyone can draw and that’s all it takes to create animated videos.

This summer I’ve had the pleasure to partner with FableVision Learning, an educational software company with some amazing products. Using their student animation product, Animation-Ish, we’ve created a video that showcases what’s possible when using animation in the classroom—in this case, animation about The Grey Ghost and some of the curriculum ties in my story.

Here’s the video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0wpTXOHFI

You can also view the video on FableVision Learning’s Web site (it doesn’t link back to YouTube, so it’s school-friendly):

http://fablevisionlearning.com/blog/?p=599

Enjoy and dream big!