Random Toughts
I have been getting ready for the start of school. We had many physical moves of teachers in our district and this requires a virtual move as well. So I have been moving teacher accounts around. I am also planning professional development opportunities for the fall. My mind is focused on the details and I currently do not have the luxury to explore some lines of thought. So I am jotting a few down here so I do not forget.
1. We need to start thinking of our selves as contributors and not consumers. Should we approach each situation, discussion by what I can give and contribute, then what can I get out of it. I also find teachers continually search the web for lesson ideas and activities, I wish more would view their work as worthy of sharing. I also wish more teachers contribute to the discussion on how we can transform schools, and reach our very diverse student body. Teachers have such a wealth of expertise and experience but are often found on the side lines of school planning, community educational discussions.
2. Back in the 80’s we began to participate in international testing in math and scene. At that time we were behind others. When we were failing the interational tests – how was our economy doing compared to the other countries. How were we doing innovation and invention wise. Maybe were we not teaching the same thing – maybe now by teaching to the test we are loosing innovation and creativity.
Some day I hope to get a chance to reflect on them and do a little research.
I hope you all have a great start to the school year, and that the details get attended to so you can move on to bigger and better things.
26 thoughts on “Random Toughts”
Hi Beth,
I really like how you mentioned being contributors, not just consumers of technology. This has been on my mind this summer, especially with the passing of Eunice Shriver, whose famous question “What MORE can you be doing” still seems very poignant today. I think part of the power of technology is its ability to help others, and by actively participating in its enhancement, we certainly do that.
Great post Beth. Couldn’t agree with you more regarding the wealth of knowledge and expertise that teachers hold. The combined wisdom of teachers could be amazing. And sharing that wisdom with each other could be a phenomenal injection into today’s education system.
We created http://www.nettrekkervillage.com in an attempt to encourage this exact behavior–educators sharing ideas, tips and resources in an environment dedicated to engaging students through personalized learning. It’s a free online community with no strings attached. Hope you’ll consider joining and contributing to the sharing of ideas of your own.
–Kirsty
Hi Beth,
As I began to start the school year my district had an in-service training on Professional Learning Communities. Your line of thought for number 1 seems to fit the model of the Professional Learning Community. We need to learn from the practitioners instead of the theorists. What better way than to share our thoughts and contribute our ideas to a community of learners. I have not always been a confident teacher who felt they should share ideas. I soon found out the power of working together when I changed school districts and began teaching with two other 5th grade teachers that are open and willing to share views, activities and ideas.
Your second thought about limiting our student’s creativity due to standardized testing is a very scaring thought. In education all we hear is about how we must meet the needs of each individual student, yet standardized testing does not account for each student differences. With the high stake testing requirements that are presently in place only the future will tell how much innovation and creativity we are loosing.
I am getting more acquainted with blogging and I am amazed at how all teachers could be a resource for each other by being involved in a simple blog like this one. In return we will also have a sense of community to go to for help when we need it. When Tim Berners-Lee began developing the internet he had an idea for what he wanted the internet to look like. He said the internet needed to be a place that is a “collaborative medium, a place where we [could] all meet and read and write.”
Hi Beth,
It is so hard to teach with such emphasis placed on teaching to the test, especially with such emphasis placed on using technology in our classrooms. Teacher’s creativity is not able to be shown. I like what you said, “We need to start thinking of our selves as contributers and not consumers.” Although teachers are searching the web for new ideas, it is more how they implement those ideas that really matters. Technology is such a big part of education now. My school is moving toward becoming more “tech savvy”. Do you see a lot of technology use in your school? Or do you see a new wave of technology coming in the near future for schools?
I am coming into a new school year with new roles, possibly temporary, as Math Department Chair. It is amazing the amount of work associated with opening school; books, supplies, resource materials, calculators, and student workbooks. While all of these things have been available for years, I wonder how much teaching practices have changed. I find that the older or veteran teachers are less likely to open up to the idea of integrating technology. It’s worksheet after worksheet. We need to better meet the needs of our students by teaching to their “level” which is so electronically controlled. Standardized testing doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon, so for our students to be successful we need to excite them to motivate them. We have teachers that are as excited to be using technology as the students are to be learning by it. Let’s have more teachers brag about their successes!!! I could certainly use some ideas.
Kristy,
We use NetTrekker in our district – love it. I am very active in the discovery educator Network and know how valuable teachers are to each other. I was very happy to seen the village in NetTrekker.
Bryan,
When I step out of my classroom so to speak and began talking to teachers down the hall and across the globe I started to grow tremendously as an educator. I think I have learned more in the last 5 years then in my previous 15 years of teaching. There is such a wealth of knowledge out there, it is truly amazing.
Sara,
I think as educators we are always asking how we can help. We feel comfortable doing so in our schools. The challenge is to share in a broader community and become exposed to other ideas and solutions and to realize learning is a two way street.
Jenna,
I always envision the internet, more specifically my learning network as a collective brain, and I am just a neuron. What we often forget is that the internet is a collection of computers and there is a person at each of those computers. It is a human endeavor not really technological.
Jennifer,
We have technology in our buildings scattered about, some have more, some have less. What I see are teachers using the tools to be more creative in how they share content with students and how they ask kids to show what they know.
Teresa,
The start of school exhausts me. I don’t feel settled in till October. I have struggled to persuade some veteran teachers to give new tools a chance and I have also begged some veteran teachers to slow down I can’t keep up. The same can be said for new comers. I have found that those that are willing to try new tools are those that are really trying to reach kids where they are and to use the tools that kids will use everyday.
Even though I’m new to the whole idea of bringing technology into the classroom, and have been a skeptic of whether technology is used to do the same things we’ve been doing “differently,” or is it used to “do different things?” My goal is to do different things. Ideas on how to get a “newbee” started?
Beth,
I agree, learning is a 2 way street. I think that there are so many other industries out there that can be resources for the way we view technology in the classroom. We teachers need to look outside the education community sometimes to get a fresh perspective on the way we are getting our messages across.
Beth,
I think that our confidence also grows along with the knowledge that we gain when we open our doors and learn from each other.
Beth,
I find it interesting and agree with you that many teachers are just searching for ideas and not sharing their ideas. I think that with the increased use of technology it is easier than ever for teacher to spread their knowledge. Through the use of informal formats like a blog it is a great place for teacher to come together and grow.
Kristin,
I think many educators do not have confidence in their skills and abilities. In order to feel confident sharing you have to believe you have something to share. This is true for our students as well as ourselves. This confidence and expectation can be fostered by administrators who support and encourage sharing in their schools. And by ourselves, we need to give each other a pat on the back once in a while and celebrate the excellence we see in our fellow teachers.
Teach132,
Whether you are new or old – I tend to give the same advice. Focus on your students, what do you want them to know, be able to do and understand. This pertains to your curriculum content objectives, as well as, the secondary curriculum (Tech skills, Social Skill, etc). Start with those objectives and then use the tools and strategies that will best help get your there. How to find the tools and strategies? Read, watch, listen, write and talk. Immerse your self in connecting and learning with other educators.
Beth,
I agree with your future vision of technology in the classroom. I see more teachers using online gradebooks, online assessments, and online homework assignments. Children need exposure to technology because we are gearing towards a technological future with all of the new technology that is coming out. I think it’s nice to familiarize the students with new technology at a younger age. I also like the idea of children doing homework at home using the same tools on the computer that they are using at school.
Jennifer,
I also find it difficult and stressful to teach and make sure all of my students are going to be proficient on the state test. I am from Wyoming and part of the state test is done on computers. I have found that I need to incorporate computer activities to help the students work math problems that are shown on a screen, not paper. I truly believe that technology can help students understand subjects to a higher level as long as they have the basic skills that do not prohibit them from proceeding on. For example, I am a middle school and high school math teacher and I need all of my students to come in with their multiplication facts learned.
Beth,
I agree with the comment you gave Kristen. Just in the first week as the Math Chair (acting), I found myself encouraging the new teachers to our school and giving them that pat on the back for what they are accomplishing so far. I did not realize my own potential in being to assist other teachers with only having 5 years experience myself. Teachers of all levels of expertise have something to offer. I am learning from our second year teachers as much if not more than from our veteran teachers. It is important that everyone feel that they can contribute.
I always seem to find myself rejuvenated and eager at the beginning of a new school year. With the ever increasing amount of technology that I have at my fingers I catch myself missing out on the opportunity to discuss how to use technology appropriately. Most students tend to take things for granted anymore and tend to take the easy way out. With all the citation machines on-line and the ability to copy and paste information into a word processing document us teachers really have to stay on our toes and educate our students what is accepted and what isn’t. Technology is great but we must remember that taking shortcuts will result in failure over the long-term.
Matt
Hi! I enjoyed reading your post. I am a beginner blogger. I have already started the new school year and I haven’t lost my enthusiasm. This is my first year I will be working at a virtual school. I haven’t had much training but I’m confident that I will know how to navigate the system perfectly by the end of the Fall semester. I have found out that technology in the classes are keeping students engaged in their lesson.
Beth-
Thanks for the feedback. In my reading so far, I have been inspired by those like you who have compassion for students’ needs. I think that if I stay focused on them and find the technologies that will help attain their goals, I should be well on my way. I think that I may have already learned that using a technology just because it is a technology is not good. “Force-feeding” the baby robins is not a good idea! Thanks again.
Dean
Beth,
I found your post very interesting. Like many of the other comments, I also liked how you stressed contributing to technology and being confident in one’s own teaching style rather than constantly consuming others’ ideas. With the field changing so drastically, I can see how it could be so easy to simply see what others are doing in their classrooms and doing the exact same thing. However, every classroom is different, ever group of students in a class is different, an no teacher knows those students better than the teacher who interacts with them every day. I am convinced finding lesson plans and in-class activities on the web is a positive thing, but it can have even more of an impact when an educator can implement their own style, teaching techniques, and teaching to the learning styles of their students. This alone creates an even stronger lesson plan or activity; making it very worthy of being shared. You make a very good point.
I also think you touched a serious issue concerning teaching to the test. I am not yet a teacher, only consuming information that may help me later on in my career. But I think one of the hardest thing I will ever have to do is set aside time specifically to teach standardized information to my students. Instead of stressing relevancy and application of learned material, teachers no have pound skills and information into their students and all they have to tell their students is, “This is just for the test.” How exciting is that?! Not only does it remove creativity from students, but also for the teachers. It also removes all excitement from learning, which is such a sad thing in itself. Thank you for the post.
Kaiya West
What struck me most about this writing was the excerpt concerning teachers looking online for new ideas in relation to projects and lesson plans. I feel that what makes a teacher an educator is creativity and the ability to adapt to new generations and technological developments. A teacher needs to make his/her class his/her own.