Defining Failure

This post is in response to the NY Times Learning Network article on Sowing Failure, Reaping Success.

In the article, Sowing Failure, Reaping Success, the reporters raise several important questions. I was interested in the following questions: What is “failure”? What is “success”? Who defines each? Seeing my friend Neal on Shark Tank set off a series of questions. How am I spending my life? Am I doing the things I want to? What does success look like to me and to others? There is nothing like seeing the “success” of others to make you question your own. I let these questions stew for a bit We are constrained by own image. We have this idea of who we are and who we want people to think we are. We play roles that we create for ourselves and roles defined by others. This image can be costly to maintain. Whenever there is something that threatens our image, worries and aggressions creep into our brain. Our ideas of failure and success impact this image. We worry that a failure will chip away at that image.

When looking at a problem, I can imagine all the ways it can go wrong. Feeling like I need to address each of these issues before I begin. These stumbling blocks For me the real failures in life are the thoughts that prevent me from starting. I hate letting the worries of whether or not something will be successful.

I am reminded of couplets from Goethe:
Then indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost lamenting over lost days.
Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute;
What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Picademy and Lifelong Learning

I failed so very hard this summer and I enjoyed almost every moment of it.

I was lucky to attend the Picademy at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI this past June. Picademy was two days of workshops to introduce educators to the Raspberry Pi computer. While I was familiar with Raspberry Pis, until the Picademy, I hadn’t really spent much time with this $37 device. After two days and a half dozen workshops, I was amazed by what this little computer can do.

Our first day we participated in workshops that introduced us to the versatility of the Raspberry Pi. While the Pi can function as desktop computer, that is only the beginning. We spent the day exploring different ways to expand the capabilities of the Pi. I felt the energy in room spike as we got our first LEDs to light up. Within the hour we were adding motors, speakers, buttons, and cameras to Pi. There were a dizzying array of parts and accessories available to transform the Pi. The second day of Picademy asked the participants to create a project based using the Raspberry Pi. I failed consistently during this day. My group was trying to create a wind-powered soccer game using the Pi, motors, some buttons, and ping pong balls. While the electronics and motors worked, they failed to push the ball with any authority. The best I could get was a light breeze that caused the ping pong ball to wobble.

While we failed in the execution of our project, the entire day we were engaged in what Seymour Papert called hard fun. Trying to create something that didn’t exist before, engaged my brain and pushed my abilities. Instead of being a passive consumer with a set of likes and dislikes, I was responsible for creating the thing that I wanted. The desire pushed me into areas that I wasn’t comfortable, but were necessary to complete the project.

At Picademy failure is expected. They even present a slide that highlighted, “FAIL” or “first attempt in learning.” You are expected to try new things; to try and find solutions and paths that take you closer to where you want to go. The only failure is to give up. These experiences are in too short supply in school and daily life. In an attempt to make things smooth and predictable, we removed the opportunity to grow. While my Picademy experience was amazing, it wasn’t an end. On my way home I stopped by my local electronics store to pick a Pi Zero, SenseHat, and Pi Camera. I’ve started tinkering on some individual projects including turning my Raspberry Pi 3 intro a gaming machine using the RetroPi. I hope once the school year starts I will be able to share some these experiences with my students as they create their own Raspberry Pi projects. I also hope to continue my own learning (and failing).

Unpacking EdCamp

I am still processing the flood of ideas from last Saturday’s Edcamp Boston. For those unfamiliar with the edcamp events check out this video from Edcamp Philly. It was amazing to see educators actively involved in constructing their own professional development. As with any piece of technology, I find myself asking the question, “so what?” How does this day improve my practice? The day was enjoyable and engaging. Lots of heady ideas were discussed. I liken it to day long brainstorming session on any educational topic you want.

I guess what I’m looking for what happens after the conference. What impact do these ideas have?Are they just a drop in the bucket or do they have some sustainability?