Why Schools Should Be
Like A Family Restaurant
By George & Alec Couros

introduction

“We need to teach kids to respect the
past but to live in the future.”
Marc Prensky

social objects as connectors

“the term ‘social networking’ makes
little sense if we leave out the objects
that mediate the ties between people.”

“To answer your question, I did use
Youtube to learn how to dance. I
consider it my ‘main’ teacher.”

“To answer your question, I did use
Youtube to learn how to dance. I
consider it my ‘main’ teacher.”
“10 years ago, street dance was very
exclusive, especially rare dances like popping
(the one I teach and do). You either had to
learn it from a friend that knew it or get VHS
tapes which were hard to get. Now with
Youtube, anyone, anywhere in the world can
learn previously ‘exclusive’ dance styles.”

is our prescribed curriculum enough?
how do we embrace social connectors?

leaders must be visible

know your customers

It is always about relationships.

cater to unique tastes

“This generation thinks in pictures, words, and still and moving
images and is comfortable mixing them all in the same space.”
Nick Bilton

We don’t need to do the same things
differently,
we need to different things.

Student Led Assemblies
Hip Hop
Identity Day
Forest Green News
Student Led Conference
1-1 Laptop Program

continuously assess your menu

Bleep

Visitors vs. Residents

“The average digital birth of children
happens at about 6 months.”

“The average digital birth of children
happens at about 6 months.”
“In Canada, US, UK, France Italy,
Germany & Spain ... 81% of children
under the age of two have some kind
of digital profile or footprint.”

Text

“Children approach thrills and risks in a
progressive manner, and very few children
would try to climb the highest point the first
time they climb. The best thing is to let
children encounter these challenges from an
early age, and they will progressively learn to
master them through play over the years.”

importance of atmosphere

create repeat customers

Schools need to
start realizing
that kids and families have a
choice.

understand reputation

“Privacy is no longer
possible ...”

“Privacy is no longer
possible ...”
“... the technical infrastructure for
creating and sharing content has
been simplified to the point where
anyone with even limited
technical skills can participate.”

“Privacy is no longer
possible ...”
“... the technical infrastructure for
creating and sharing content has
been simplified to the point where
anyone with even limited
technical skills can participate.”
“Social spaces and the process of
identity creation and growing up
require some “forgivability”.”

transparency

Crowdsourcing

network mentors

“Web 2.0 tools exist that might allow academics to reflect
and reimagine what they do as scholars. Such tools might
positively affect -- even transform - research, teaching, and
service responsibilities - only if scholars choose to build
serious academic lives online, presenting semi-public
selves and becoming invested in and connected to the
work of their peers and students.”
(Greenhow, Robelia, & Hughes, 2009)

importance of having fun

final thoughts

Let individuality shine through.

Some of the best learning is social.

Get out there and mingle.

We all need passion for what we do.

Thank You for Learning
with Us
Alec George
couros@gmail.com gec127@gmail.com
@courosa @gcouros