The Importance of Relationships in Learning

I've been struggling with how to best articulate the importance the relationships play in a great learning environment.  I hope to revisit this idea soon but for now want to save the article from the NY Times that highlights the important of having a mentor or some other meaningful relationship to provide a successful learning experience.   I know this made all the difference for me when I was a student.  

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/opinion/sunday/teaching-is-not-a-business.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region&region=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=0

Idle Parenting?

This is an interesting article pleading for parents to back off the pedal a bit.  The term "helicopter parent' has been around for some time but now I've heard about the "lawnmower parents" and realize I've seen them in action.  Those are the parents that want to mow over any challenge or obstacle in front of their child to make their path easy.  As always I encourage balance; I don't support the idea of parents dropping their kids off in the wilderness and finding their way home as director Baz Luhrman described in a recent interview.  This article though seem to present a happy medium:
 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/familyadvice/3355719/Idle-parenting-means-happy-children.html?fb

It also remind me of a great little kindle short I read a few years ago called Beware Dangerism.  It reminds me of the great play I had growing up, mostly outside, with neighbors and siblings.   When I get together with family my mother is often surprising to hear more about what we were up to all those hours we we occupied our own time before the dinner bell range.

Technology

Some interesting thoughts about technology and the struggles to implement it well and keep it relevant in a school setting: 
http://tomwhitby.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/does-tech-hold-back-educators/

When technology is implemented just of the sake of implementing technology so much is lost.  When it is integrated as part of creating an innovative learning environment that reflects the evolving nature of work and life in the 21st century it has great relevance and value:
http://creativetension.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/do-parents-really-want-schools-with-innovative-learning-environments/