C114 (Book Club): Teach others as experts (pgs 131-148)

​As we close out The Expert Effect book club, I just want to take a moment to thank all of our #CITLreads regulars who get up in the middle of the night or the crack of dawn to attend from around the world.  I appreciate you so much!  You make our book club what it is, so thank you for continuously returning for a new adventure.  ​

What is selective perfectionism?

​When learners are given the space to create, oftentimes there is a side effect of selective perfectionism.  What is it?  According to the Urban Dictionary, selective perfectionism is when we choose to complete random tasks to perfection, but lack the ability to perfect or even attempt the other necessary tasks in life.  

Where do we see this play out in real life?  This past week, I had two major deadlines while battling terrible allergies.  I didn’t have the energy to deal with them, so I spent a lot of time reading regency era novels, like Pride and Prejudice, to pass my time.  I read with perfect ability, but I couldn’t muster up the energy to do the things I had to do. 

Why do we engage in selective perfectionism?  Oftentimes, the tasks we are striving to achieve are uncertain or there are too many steps to them.  We get lost in the volume of the process.  As a selection perfectionist, we have the full potential to get it done, but we choose not to do it.  In other words, we become procrastinators. ​

How does it impact learner inquiry?  Something I’ve learned through years of experience is that many times we procrastinate, because we are overwhelmed by the process or outcome.  This will happen with your learners, if each step of the process is not clearly outlined.  Even then, they might get bogged down, because they don’t know how to complete each step.  To circumvent this situation, we need to heavily model and guide the process from whole group, small group, to individual learning situations.  Think like an early years teacher who must repeat the steps over and again until independence has been achieved.  As our learners age, it’s almost an expectation that they will learn it in one lesson.  ​

Why should we allow learners to connect globally? 

We’ve talked about ways to reach out to the local and global community.  In most of this section of the book, Grayson and Zach provide ample resources where you can connect to organizations and different industry experts that can help your learners succeed.  Many times, the biggest obstacle is YOU.  I’m sorry to be harsh, but I speak from personal experience.  I used to hold my learners' expertise in my classroom, but a learner requested permission to contact a famous marine biologist to support their understanding of healthy oceans.  WIth their parent’s guidance, my learners were able to connect with the marine biologists, which expanded their understanding of human impact on the oceans far greater than any video or book. 
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There are many networks that exist to help learners to connect with experts.  You need to find the right one for your class and you. 

Main Takeaways from this Book Study

​Reaching beyond the borders of your classrooms is where true application happens.  When we engage with real experts in various fields, we get a bigger picture of how the world works.  We learn to question, engage in academic language, interview, reflect, and apply.  These are necessary skills for thinking humans.  As a fifth grade teacher, I’m seeing the connections between these experiences and preparing for the PYP Exhibition. 

Before the pandemic, there may have been many constraints to engaging with an expert.  With Zoom, the world is literally opened to us. 

​​If it were me, I’d start small in my local area and have learners research people they would like to connect to and design what they want the conversation to look and feel like.  Make them take ownership of the experience, because the person doing the work is doing the learning. 

The Expert Expedition

Welcome, dear 
learners.  We know 
why you’re here.
You’re chasing adventure
like a brave buccaneer!

Sailing the high seas
and surfing the web, 
Searching for answers
From Algiers to Zagreb.

No, nothing can stop you!
You’re a kid on a mission, 
and it’s finally time for 
your big expedition. 

You’re not after riches
like silver and gold…

The thing that you seek 
can’t be bought
or be sold. 

Yes, you’re after
knowledge -
There’s so much to know.
it’s worth more than
treasure in a 
ship’s cargo hold!

So off you must go
with your sails 
flown unfurled.
To get the whole story,
go out into the world!

Our Trip around the Globe

To my global audience, I just want to thank you again for enriching my life through social media, our #CITLreads book clubs, and so much more.  Let’s stay connected, because we are stronger together.  

Over the next two years, I hope to continue to engage with you virtually and in-person.  I plan to travel around the world meeting like-minded educators and sharing ideas.  This fall, I begin the journey within Europe.  I will be participating in an IB continuum math conference at the International School of Stuttgart.  If your school is interested in participating in a professional development with me while I am in the area, just let me know at [email protected].  

The rest of the world, I’m coming to you shortly. In the meantime, I have some reflections about the top five places with the greatest listeners.  This is one point in time, but I always seem to have a personal connection with each place. 

Melbourne, Australia:  If you’ve followed me on my podcast journey, you know how much I love this city.  It’s the place that I learned that public relations was not for me and I wanted to give back to my community.  Little did I know that I would become a teacher, but passing Wesley College a couple times a week must have left its impact. 

Mumbai, India: The people of India have always fascinated me with its rich culture, history, Bollywood films, and Thali dinners.  While living in Dubai, I had the pleasure of visiting this beautiful country, but only in certain regions.  I didn’t have a chance to visit Mumbai, but it’s on my list!  I’m grateful to have built a lasting friendship with Vidhya, whom many of you know if you are on social media and I can’t wait to visit her in Tamil Nadu. 

Singapore:  I traveled through this lovely island country many times and I had to venture downtown on a trip.  It’s amazing to see east meet west in this mighty nation and I hope to return again soon. 

Hanoi, Vietnam:  I have yet to visit Vietnam, but I have friends who live in Ho Chi Minh City, so I know a journey to Hanoi is on my list!  

Brisbane, Australia:  Hello Brissie, you are the one spot I didn’t get to on my Aussie adventures during uni.  I plan to return back to the country that made me feel so much at home and I can’t wait to see you.  I have some mates there and a catch up is long overdue.  Sydney was number #6, so I’ll chuck them in too on my adventures in Oz tour. 

Thank you for joining the journey of The Expert Effect.  I look forward to exploring new ideas and worthy reads in the upcoming months!  Be sure to follow the authors on Twitter:  Grayson McKinney @GMcKinney2 and Zach Rondot @MrRondot.