Dear Ben,
Thank you for creating this group and for what you do.
I am writing to let you know that I just joined the group today. I attended your workshop in Tucson last year and since then I have been implementing and studying your books. I am also part of the CI Liftoff facebook group and I have been helping in the CI Liftoff Mentorship. I moved to New Mexico two months ago and I am teaching in Albuquerque. I teach high school students: Spanish 1 and one AP class.
I decided to go to deskless because I felt it was the only way to be able to implement entirely CI strategies and methodology. In addition, I am teaching 38 students and it was a challenge to leave the desks in a 25 x25 ft. approx. classroom. I could hardly walk. My administration seemed to be supportive at the beginning, but this morning I received an e-mail regarding my classroom setting. My supervisor said she was concerned because the students did not have a place to write.
Where can I find more evidence to support this theory of being deskless? My students are not using their cell phones and I ask the students to leave their backpacks inside the storage containers. They are participating and some have asked me if we ever going to have desks. Others do not mention anything. I am trying to get clipboards so they can use them when we “write” something. I have two tables at the back that I have not used so far, but I have them there just in case. I also kept six desks for those who feel that need (such as special needs students or specific assignments for AP students).
If you have any links or recommendations for some research that describes the importance of being deskless, I would appreciate it.
Thank you,
Marcia