What do you think the role of teacher is? Does it differ if you're in a classroom or online?
One basic idea of a teacher is to facilitate the learning process for the student. Basically the teacher is there to help the student. The teacher can be a master at the subject that is being learnt or can simply have enough knowledge to guide the student in the right direction. Does this change whether it is done in a classroom or online? No. It simply changes how the teacher does some of his/her communication with the student. They still function in the same way, only adjust the tools they use.
What is the relationship between teacher and learner?
First, they both assume some responsibility in the process. It isn't just the teacher or learners responsibility. Now the responsibility may shift over time as students get older, but there is always some responsibility on the student. Teachers are there to assist and guide the learner. They have specialized knowledge, but also a willingness to guide and direct the learner into helping themselves. Learners need to just be open to direction and motivated. Sometimes a teacher can motivate or even help the student self motivate.
Is the role of the teacher imposed upon you? Or does it arise from within?
Both. What I mean is occasionally we are simply put in the situation to be teachers. We may not exactly choose it or at least we don't know we are choosing it. We simply find ourselves in a teachable situation with someone and do it. But "teachers" in general should be people that have the desire to teach within. It should be as though you are born to do it. Not everyone has the temperament, knowledge, or passion to teach. Good luck to all of those who choose to teach!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
STOP INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY?
I must say that by the title of this I was somewhat worried and confused. I actually thought someone wanted us to stop using technology in the classroom. Then I realized I was playing into the hand of the author. He wasn't talking about a physical change but rather a mindset change. We don't need to stop using technology, but stop thinking we have to integrate and understand it. This happens all the time. We don't need to know how things work to start using them. When I got my first computer no one taught me anything. I knew where the power button was and off I went. Of course this was before the time of the Mouse and fancy interactive help menus. Still, I made it. I could use software and play games. People find ways to use things. Just like the blog earlier in the semester with the video about putting a computer where kids had never had one. They just jumped in and learned how to use web surf and everything, even when it wasn't in their language.
This reminds me of something that aggravates me. I will go to the message board of a new video game to see if people like it or it has major flaws. But inevitably people are always asking for help with some part of the game. "How to I get past......." or " Where can I find....." I think it is crazy when it is day one or two of having a video game and you are already searching the web for help. Sometimes the questions could be answered by simply skimming through the manual. My point is that we can learn how to play the game without much help. And if we need help, then we know where to go to get it. The same works with technology. Students will get by using whatever you throw at them.
This reminds me of something that aggravates me. I will go to the message board of a new video game to see if people like it or it has major flaws. But inevitably people are always asking for help with some part of the game. "How to I get past......." or " Where can I find....." I think it is crazy when it is day one or two of having a video game and you are already searching the web for help. Sometimes the questions could be answered by simply skimming through the manual. My point is that we can learn how to play the game without much help. And if we need help, then we know where to go to get it. The same works with technology. Students will get by using whatever you throw at them.
Bridging the Gap
Lesson Plans and Standards have a gap between them. Sometimes the gap is much larger then we would like. I have been to schools where the idea was simply to take the standards and create the lesson plans around them. All you needed to do was select the standard, then make the lesson build up around it. But I think we could do better. I teach in a setting that is not traditional. The time frame we teach in is different. We teach in Quarters and students can enter and exit the class at basically any time. So I can experiment and test different approaches. What I usually do is create lesson plans that I feel will help the students be successful. Then I go back and see how many standards I cover. I then try to see if any other standards would fit into those lesson plans. I don't force a standard in, but sometimes another standard will just naturally fit into what lessons I am teaching. This may sound odd and maybe I am not communicating it well, but it is working for me. I used to do the exact opposite. I listed all my standards, then started filling them into possible lessons. This did accomplish the basic goal of covering standards, but never felt right. It seemed to constraining and I needed a little more freedom in my teaching.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Importance of Course Objectives
How important are course objectives? Are they a necessary fact of life in education or just something we hopefully wish for? We all need a plan. When I go out to build something I have a plan. When I want to teach my son something I have an idea of how I am going to do it. This is good for intentional learning and may not apply to possible incidental learning. Objectives are good because they keep teachers focused and give students some idea of what they are doing and why. I write daily objectives on the board. It keeps me on track and lets them know that I cared enough to plan what we are going to do. Does this mean they are unalterable? No, they should be fluid.
For instance I might be going over a lesson and we are constructing circle and arcs. Suddenly the conversation turns to a pie chart a student saw on television. They ask questions about what the chart was representing. We could get into a discussion about politics or food distribution or whatever the chart was dealing with. There is nothing wrong with that and I feel at least where I work it is good to relate with children and converse about topics beyond the classroom. I often find myself adding, removing, or modifying one or multiple objectives in my lesson. That is a good thing. To set back and say “I've got it all planned to perfection” would just be arrogant and stupid. We have to meet the students where they are and sometimes that means going off the beaten path. I know some teachers hate it, but I enjoy the moments of just talking to the students about football, cars, politics, and other topics. Sometimes I relate them to math and sometimes that is just where we end up. Some educators might say this is wasted time and just the students getting a teacher off topic. I suppose that may be true sometimes. I want them to see me as a caring person that has their best interest in mind, not just an authority figure. But I work with trouble adolescent boys. They need role models as much as they need Linear Equations. So I walk down a slightly different path then many teachers because of my setting(prison). Although, even in public schools many students need role models and caring adults to help them as much as they need some book knowledge. Some of us teachers that don’t come from the underprivileged side of life can easily forget that we have a greater value then just as a teacher to many children.
For instance I might be going over a lesson and we are constructing circle and arcs. Suddenly the conversation turns to a pie chart a student saw on television. They ask questions about what the chart was representing. We could get into a discussion about politics or food distribution or whatever the chart was dealing with. There is nothing wrong with that and I feel at least where I work it is good to relate with children and converse about topics beyond the classroom. I often find myself adding, removing, or modifying one or multiple objectives in my lesson. That is a good thing. To set back and say “I've got it all planned to perfection” would just be arrogant and stupid. We have to meet the students where they are and sometimes that means going off the beaten path. I know some teachers hate it, but I enjoy the moments of just talking to the students about football, cars, politics, and other topics. Sometimes I relate them to math and sometimes that is just where we end up. Some educators might say this is wasted time and just the students getting a teacher off topic. I suppose that may be true sometimes. I want them to see me as a caring person that has their best interest in mind, not just an authority figure. But I work with trouble adolescent boys. They need role models as much as they need Linear Equations. So I walk down a slightly different path then many teachers because of my setting(prison). Although, even in public schools many students need role models and caring adults to help them as much as they need some book knowledge. Some of us teachers that don’t come from the underprivileged side of life can easily forget that we have a greater value then just as a teacher to many children.
Number of tools in design.
How many tools should we use when designing a course? Well, one answer would be that the more tools the better. It keeps things feeling fresh and new while offering different was to learn. It gives more flexibility to the teacher in how things can be presented. But, just a few tools can be better. It creates a feeling of consistency and allows for the mastery of the tool to really shine. Instead of showing the flexibility of using multiple tools, the teacher can show the flexibility of the tool itself. It keeps students from constantly seeing new things that can be unstable to their learning experience.
So, which is better? It isn’t about how many tools you should use; it is about using them effectively and to accomplish the learning goals. If you want the students to learn about ABC, then you need to use tools to do that. How many tools? One. Twenty. It is all about personal teaching style. Some teachers will become good at using some tools. Those tools would be more effective for them. Can you learn new tools and use them? Yes, but that isn’t the point. The point is that it isn’t about how many tools you use. I personally don’t ever think: Hmmm how many tools am I using? I just create lessons and design what I need accomplished with whatever tools I feel would work the best. Some weeks I may use two dozen tools and other weeks maybe only five. We need to make sure we don’t put some arbitrary number on how many tools we need to use.
Now, if we are designing an entire course and not just a lesson, then most likely many tools will be used. But some tools should be used repeatedly to create stability while others used sparingly so as not to overwhelm the students. This may be different depending up the grade level it is being designed for. Again, I think moderation is always the best way. The problem is some peoples viewpoint is so skewed, they think they are moderate, when they are leaning to an extreme.
So, which is better? It isn’t about how many tools you should use; it is about using them effectively and to accomplish the learning goals. If you want the students to learn about ABC, then you need to use tools to do that. How many tools? One. Twenty. It is all about personal teaching style. Some teachers will become good at using some tools. Those tools would be more effective for them. Can you learn new tools and use them? Yes, but that isn’t the point. The point is that it isn’t about how many tools you use. I personally don’t ever think: Hmmm how many tools am I using? I just create lessons and design what I need accomplished with whatever tools I feel would work the best. Some weeks I may use two dozen tools and other weeks maybe only five. We need to make sure we don’t put some arbitrary number on how many tools we need to use.
Now, if we are designing an entire course and not just a lesson, then most likely many tools will be used. But some tools should be used repeatedly to create stability while others used sparingly so as not to overwhelm the students. This may be different depending up the grade level it is being designed for. Again, I think moderation is always the best way. The problem is some peoples viewpoint is so skewed, they think they are moderate, when they are leaning to an extreme.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tools Influence Design
How does your knowledge/skill with the tools from the two toolboxes influence your choice of design?
Well, any tool I don't have in my toolbox will not be used in the design. Seems obvious, but is actually very important. You can't use what you don't have. So when designing lessons, you won't incorporate tools you don't know of or don't yet have. For instance, I have very limited knowledge and experience with SecondLife and Myspace. I don't use them and don't have a drive to use them. So, when designing a lesson I would not use those things.
Tools we don't like. We all have these. For me it is the old projectors and transparencies. Yes i suppose they have a purpose and some good uses, but I hate them. I used transparencies on those projectors for a few reasons. I've used calculators that can be put on the projector to show what you are doing on the board. Also I've used transparencies to project the examples I am doing onto the wall. This allows for me to do them once step by step on trancparencies and then reuse them slide by slide without constantly erasing and rewriting on the board. But I still hate them. I don't even have a good reason. I suppose a smartboard and projector can take their place. I don't care, I hate them. We all have those tools and skills we don't like to use but have there for a rainy day.
Well, any tool I don't have in my toolbox will not be used in the design. Seems obvious, but is actually very important. You can't use what you don't have. So when designing lessons, you won't incorporate tools you don't know of or don't yet have. For instance, I have very limited knowledge and experience with SecondLife and Myspace. I don't use them and don't have a drive to use them. So, when designing a lesson I would not use those things.
Tools we don't like. We all have these. For me it is the old projectors and transparencies. Yes i suppose they have a purpose and some good uses, but I hate them. I used transparencies on those projectors for a few reasons. I've used calculators that can be put on the projector to show what you are doing on the board. Also I've used transparencies to project the examples I am doing onto the wall. This allows for me to do them once step by step on trancparencies and then reuse them slide by slide without constantly erasing and rewriting on the board. But I still hate them. I don't even have a good reason. I suppose a smartboard and projector can take their place. I don't care, I hate them. We all have those tools and skills we don't like to use but have there for a rainy day.
Teachers Role
Well, I was reading a Phaedrus article today and at the very end it said the following: "But that does not necessarily mean we have to make them so comfortable that they have no incentive to get beyond the grade."
So? What about it? Well, it got my mind going for a minute about how comfortable we can sometimes try to make students. School districts, governments, and teachers can all fell as if they walk on glass with students and parents. Society seems to be so "selfish", "lawsuit happy", and "its all about me". Well, when parents think like that, which is very juvenile, it causes major problems. Parents don't want their kids disciplined, corrected or told they are wrong. It doesn't matter what you document or show as proof you are doing it right. Some parents will fight to the bitter end just to say "ha, I got you". It is insane. The idea we can't fail kids is ridiculous. The idea we can't correct kids is crazy. Maybe it is just a product of where I work now.
For instance, if a student has something they are not allowed to have, then I ask for it. If they don't give it up, then it is taken from them. This is done by force if necessary and everything goes along. Picture a 15 year old in high school with a cell phone. Assume that cell phones are forbidden to be used except for some special pre-approved instances. The students makes a call in the middle of class. He refuses to stop or to hand over the phone. No one can do anything. No one can take it short of risking losing their job. If a teacher or principal grabbed the students wrist and took the phone they would have a lawsuit on their hands.
My point is this: we can comfort kids too much. I think most of us in this class know what I mean. We were drug from our comfort zone with no mommy and daddy. Sure, I guess we could complain to the teacher's supervisor, but that wouldn't help us. It would only be the easy way out. On a rerun of lost John said "the Struggle is natures way of making us stronger" or something very similar to that. That is the point of this class and should be a major idea behind education at least in secondary school. Kids need to struggle and be uncomfortable with their education. Now, I don't mean that the teacher should teach naked just to make people uncomfortable. But dealing with education we should struggle at times.
So? What about it? Well, it got my mind going for a minute about how comfortable we can sometimes try to make students. School districts, governments, and teachers can all fell as if they walk on glass with students and parents. Society seems to be so "selfish", "lawsuit happy", and "its all about me". Well, when parents think like that, which is very juvenile, it causes major problems. Parents don't want their kids disciplined, corrected or told they are wrong. It doesn't matter what you document or show as proof you are doing it right. Some parents will fight to the bitter end just to say "ha, I got you". It is insane. The idea we can't fail kids is ridiculous. The idea we can't correct kids is crazy. Maybe it is just a product of where I work now.
For instance, if a student has something they are not allowed to have, then I ask for it. If they don't give it up, then it is taken from them. This is done by force if necessary and everything goes along. Picture a 15 year old in high school with a cell phone. Assume that cell phones are forbidden to be used except for some special pre-approved instances. The students makes a call in the middle of class. He refuses to stop or to hand over the phone. No one can do anything. No one can take it short of risking losing their job. If a teacher or principal grabbed the students wrist and took the phone they would have a lawsuit on their hands.
My point is this: we can comfort kids too much. I think most of us in this class know what I mean. We were drug from our comfort zone with no mommy and daddy. Sure, I guess we could complain to the teacher's supervisor, but that wouldn't help us. It would only be the easy way out. On a rerun of lost John said "the Struggle is natures way of making us stronger" or something very similar to that. That is the point of this class and should be a major idea behind education at least in secondary school. Kids need to struggle and be uncomfortable with their education. Now, I don't mean that the teacher should teach naked just to make people uncomfortable. But dealing with education we should struggle at times.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
STYLE
Well, I was reading the docs post on Second Life and it reminded me of something I dealt with this week on vacation. My 4 year old can be too rough with my 8 month old. I stopped midweek and thought about what I was doing wrong. Should I model the appropriate behavior? Should I have them brought together and ask him to do certain appropriate things? Should I be a hard disciplinarian and just smack him anytime he did something rough to her? I realized it is similar to teaching style, or better yet selecting the most appropriate "tool" to get him to learn. Maybe it is a combination of the above, maybe not. I think being a parent can be good practice for being a teacher, but I digress from where my thoughts were going.
Then I thought of the adoption training me and my wife are going through to adopt three girls. They mentioned Discipline vs Punishment. They said Punishment was meant to stop a behavior and Discipline was meant to meet the need of the child while stopping the behavior. I thought they were real close, but had to add something. I think Punishment is more about satisfying the Punisher. They are angry/embarrassed and want something done. Where Discipline is all about what is best for the kid. You want them to learn and grow into a good person.
I feel education is sometimes like that. We have tests and standards we need to meet. So we "punish" the kids and force them to learn the test. Instead we should "discipline" them and do what is best for them. We want them to learn and they want to learn. We should quit being scared of tests and standards. We need to stand up for the youth and do what is best for them.
Then I thought of the adoption training me and my wife are going through to adopt three girls. They mentioned Discipline vs Punishment. They said Punishment was meant to stop a behavior and Discipline was meant to meet the need of the child while stopping the behavior. I thought they were real close, but had to add something. I think Punishment is more about satisfying the Punisher. They are angry/embarrassed and want something done. Where Discipline is all about what is best for the kid. You want them to learn and grow into a good person.
I feel education is sometimes like that. We have tests and standards we need to meet. So we "punish" the kids and force them to learn the test. Instead we should "discipline" them and do what is best for them. We want them to learn and they want to learn. We should quit being scared of tests and standards. We need to stand up for the youth and do what is best for them.
Back from vacation
Well, I've been gone since last Saturday, so when I booted up and looked at my Gator, my jaw dropped. I think It was almost 200 new posts. Well, I'm trying not to let that intimidate me. I did post of few of this weeks topics last week as week 5 posts, but I need to respond to a few things. First, POWERPOINT. Well, well. I already new Doc didn't like it, but it was refreshing to here why and when it could be useful. I do agree with him that PowerPoint is basically outdone by web applications. Even a basic web page creator can make better presentation material then PowerPoint. But one line about eye candy did make me think.
How much are we into "eye candy" in the classroom. We have old traditional teachers that still just use chalk and board. Then we have "eye candy" teachers throwing every tech and visually stimulating thing they can find at the students. I don't think either are very good. Like Doc said, it isn't about what we are doing, but rather is it doing what we want it to do. If we want students to remember the noble gases, it doesn't matter if we use a jeopardy game, lecture, slide show, movie, or class project. What matters is in the end did the students learn what you wanted them to learn. Sometimes I feel we need to reflect on what we are doing. Don't do it just to be "creative" or untraditional. Do it to be effective.
How much are we into "eye candy" in the classroom. We have old traditional teachers that still just use chalk and board. Then we have "eye candy" teachers throwing every tech and visually stimulating thing they can find at the students. I don't think either are very good. Like Doc said, it isn't about what we are doing, but rather is it doing what we want it to do. If we want students to remember the noble gases, it doesn't matter if we use a jeopardy game, lecture, slide show, movie, or class project. What matters is in the end did the students learn what you wanted them to learn. Sometimes I feel we need to reflect on what we are doing. Don't do it just to be "creative" or untraditional. Do it to be effective.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Week 5 material Part 2
MUD MUSH MOO: How can they be used for teaching and learning? Well, I like that it is text based and allows for the use of imagination while playing around. Now they don't have to be games necessarily although that may be the most notable use of these. Still, they allow a text based system to interact with one another and can be set up as games, with puzzles, and even problems to solve together as a group. I think as far as online deliver is concerned, this is an excellent way to get people to learn together and help one another. One of the best ways to master a skill is to teach it to someone else.
Audio/Visual: IM w/video and voice could be very useful in education. It allows for people to "feel" more connected to one another. I would suggest that for those resistant to online delivery, that this kind of technology allows for a smoother transition. Again, I think online lecturing is awful, but it is a step. Not a big one, but for some even those little steps matter. We have to be patient, because not everyone will respond to online delivery the same way. For some teachers, just using email is a big step and I try not to get on them about being resistant to technology. It would be more helpful to be encouraging for what they are doing and share some other easy things you do with technology with them.
Audio/Visual: IM w/video and voice could be very useful in education. It allows for people to "feel" more connected to one another. I would suggest that for those resistant to online delivery, that this kind of technology allows for a smoother transition. Again, I think online lecturing is awful, but it is a step. Not a big one, but for some even those little steps matter. We have to be patient, because not everyone will respond to online delivery the same way. For some teachers, just using email is a big step and I try not to get on them about being resistant to technology. It would be more helpful to be encouraging for what they are doing and share some other easy things you do with technology with them.
WEEK 5 Posting ahead of time.
Because I will leave for vacation during the night tonight, I've got to post some week 5 stuff now. If I get back late Saturday next week I'll try to post some responses then also.
Wikispaces: How are they different from blogs? Well, I found one note on a website that said blogs were personal and wikis were collaborative. I thought this was a really good explination. Although blogs can have comments, they are very personal spaces where people express their ides and allow others to respond. Wikispaces on the other hand is collaborative in the way a chat room or IMs can be, but are more long lasting. Chatrooms are nice, but rather temporary to those there in the chat. Wikispaces last over time but provide the more collabotive feel of a chat.
LECUTUREWARE: What? why in the world would I want to just sit at my computer watching a standart lecture. How horrible that would be. If I wanted that I would just go to a normal classroom setting. But I get ahead of myself. This has many good things going on. First It allows for those they may have issues getting back and forth to the classroom a way to similate the classroom experience. Perhaps those with a broken pelvis or a very contagious ailment. Still, if you are going to use the Web and computers for online delivery, you really should be doing more than just broadcasting the lecture to the students.
Well, I'll take a break and try to respond to more of the week 5 stuff later.
Wikispaces: How are they different from blogs? Well, I found one note on a website that said blogs were personal and wikis were collaborative. I thought this was a really good explination. Although blogs can have comments, they are very personal spaces where people express their ides and allow others to respond. Wikispaces on the other hand is collaborative in the way a chat room or IMs can be, but are more long lasting. Chatrooms are nice, but rather temporary to those there in the chat. Wikispaces last over time but provide the more collabotive feel of a chat.
LECUTUREWARE: What? why in the world would I want to just sit at my computer watching a standart lecture. How horrible that would be. If I wanted that I would just go to a normal classroom setting. But I get ahead of myself. This has many good things going on. First It allows for those they may have issues getting back and forth to the classroom a way to similate the classroom experience. Perhaps those with a broken pelvis or a very contagious ailment. Still, if you are going to use the Web and computers for online delivery, you really should be doing more than just broadcasting the lecture to the students.
Well, I'll take a break and try to respond to more of the week 5 stuff later.
Hyperventilation
What is causing the hyperventilation? Well, I'm going on vacation this week and will be gone for the entire week 5 of the class. I had this planned 7 months ago so I can't wait to go, but I do feel a little anxious about not being able to post or reply during this period. I'm not really worried about my grade, although I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. Rather, my biggest concern is coming back home on Sunday and having all the blogs from week 5 and the new week 6 starting up. I'm going to try and just let it go and have fun, but somewhere inside my traditional head it just bothers me to miss a week of class. Oh well, I'm going to try and post one or two times today for the next week in order to get some of my thoughts about the week out there.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Chat
First, Sorry to everyone for missing the Chat on Monday. Now, I did read the chat log posted on blackboard. It seems there was quite a discussion about education being a stable system and how to change it. Of course money and parents were listed as places to start the change. I agree that in an ideal world parents would always be the place to go to for change in education. They have a large voice and all the power as far as I'm concerned. But, sadly many parents don't take that much interest in there children. I know people who were sexually and emotionally harassed at school but their parents did nothing. I'm not sure the parents even knew about most of it because the child felt the parents didn't care. So, in some areas the parents may be able to be of some use, but that simply depends on the parent involvement in their children's education.
MONEY [that's what I want, that's what I want :) ]. The true force in education. This gets people involved. Start talking about spending and saving money and people start to listen to see how it will effect them. I think if you can convince people that it will save money then it can be done. I know where I work it is all about money. Not that the government spends money well, but everything is money motivated.
MONEY [that's what I want, that's what I want :) ]. The true force in education. This gets people involved. Start talking about spending and saving money and people start to listen to see how it will effect them. I think if you can convince people that it will save money then it can be done. I know where I work it is all about money. Not that the government spends money well, but everything is money motivated.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tool: Portable Computer
Well, I found a really good article abou the future of computing and a tool that will be used more readily for distance education. The link is http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/09/02/24-killer-portable-apps-for-your-usb-flash-drive and it is about a flash drive. Flash drives are nothing new and are basically just a storage device like a floppy disk or CD. The cool thing about them is that they get larger in capacity yet smaller and cooler looking. So what about it as a tool in distance education. Well, like the article on OLDaily said before linking over "we're getting closer and closer to simply carrying around our computer, operating system and all, on our keychains". These devices are making this closer to reality. The good thing about this tool in distance ed, is that it could allow you to take your distance ed everywhere you go. Not just doing distance ed classes at home, but at work, at a buddies, at the library, on vacation at an Internet Cafe. Everywhere and anywhere. It is amazing how you could not just have your files on there, but also your Web browser, Burner Application, IM's to use, and just about anything. The same goes for classroom based courses. You could use it to transfer documents from school to home to library to uncle's house. But it isnt just about files. Those could be emailed to yourself, but it is about your entire computing experience. Your media software, OS, all your apps.
It really made me think about the future of computing and how this seems rather obvious a step in the technolgy age. I really can't wait for this. I go from my work computer to someone elses and I will still have virtually everything I have at my computer. Sure somethings will differ depending on hardware, but most software issues could be resolved to allow you to have "your" computer anywhere you go in your pocket.
It really made me think about the future of computing and how this seems rather obvious a step in the technolgy age. I really can't wait for this. I go from my work computer to someone elses and I will still have virtually everything I have at my computer. Sure somethings will differ depending on hardware, but most software issues could be resolved to allow you to have "your" computer anywhere you go in your pocket.
Basic Toolbox for Distance Ed
What all tools do we have at our disposal for distance education? Well, as usual it depends a little on what you define as "distance education". I'll be using the typical, although incorrect, definition that implies distance education happens when teacher and class aren't geographically together.
Tools
1. Telephone (good for immediate oral communication) (calling someone to walk you through a complicated process that may require adjusting the directions on the fly)
2. Cameras/Video (good to see others from a distance, or to see things they want you to see)(having students take photographs of a project to send in and share with everyone)
3. Web quests (good for exploration and allowing students to work at their own pace)(create a web quest so that students search for information about a person in history, along the way they may find out about many other things as they read and look for info about the person)
4. Email/Blogs (good for communication without regard to time, allows for permanent record of text to review at any time)(sending directions as the teacher to all students at once, just like handing them a printout.)
5. Blackboard (good for managing files for a class and allowing for chatting and messaging)(can easily upload assignment to teacher)
6. Chat rooms/IM's (good for instant communication with many people)(5 students from different states can discuss the presidential election all at once and have an easy record of all the comments made)
7. Online readings/articles (good for research and finding out information)(Have students select and review an article about a particular topic)
Those are just a few I thought of, but it is late. I'm sure others will have many more cool tools to share.
Tools
1. Telephone (good for immediate oral communication) (calling someone to walk you through a complicated process that may require adjusting the directions on the fly)
2. Cameras/Video (good to see others from a distance, or to see things they want you to see)(having students take photographs of a project to send in and share with everyone)
3. Web quests (good for exploration and allowing students to work at their own pace)(create a web quest so that students search for information about a person in history, along the way they may find out about many other things as they read and look for info about the person)
4. Email/Blogs (good for communication without regard to time, allows for permanent record of text to review at any time)(sending directions as the teacher to all students at once, just like handing them a printout.)
5. Blackboard (good for managing files for a class and allowing for chatting and messaging)(can easily upload assignment to teacher)
6. Chat rooms/IM's (good for instant communication with many people)(5 students from different states can discuss the presidential election all at once and have an easy record of all the comments made)
7. Online readings/articles (good for research and finding out information)(Have students select and review an article about a particular topic)
Those are just a few I thought of, but it is late. I'm sure others will have many more cool tools to share.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Working with people.
I think people are different. Scratch that, I know they are different. The sexes are different, cultures are different, even siblings are different. Why would I bother to make such an obvious statement? Well, some people may say they enjoy working with people. I realize working with people can be done many ways and in some instances at a geographical distance. But I don't think that is exactly what they are talking about.
What I think they mean, is that they enjoy working with people and actually being with them. Not just emailing, not just video conferencing, not even just working with a glass wall between them. I think the glass wall is the most telling. Some people just desire that human closeness. I think elementary teachers probably have this desire much of the time. Counselors don't just want to call someone that just had a miscarriage. They want to be there, they want to hold them if necessary. They want to look in their eyes and show how much they really care. They want to hand them a tissue. It isn't about just being able to communicate. I genuinely think some people just desire to be with others.
In some ways I think we all desire this. Most of us want to be near other people sometimes. I think this is a legitimate claim for a teacher. Why can't they desire to be with their students at least some of the time. It has NOTHING to do with distance education, online delivery, or anything else. It is just about how they are as human beings. Personally I am not that way. I get my personal contact with people between my family and friends. I don't need that from my work, but I at least have the wisdom to recognize that others may want that from there job and it isn't about Online courses.
What I think they mean, is that they enjoy working with people and actually being with them. Not just emailing, not just video conferencing, not even just working with a glass wall between them. I think the glass wall is the most telling. Some people just desire that human closeness. I think elementary teachers probably have this desire much of the time. Counselors don't just want to call someone that just had a miscarriage. They want to be there, they want to hold them if necessary. They want to look in their eyes and show how much they really care. They want to hand them a tissue. It isn't about just being able to communicate. I genuinely think some people just desire to be with others.
In some ways I think we all desire this. Most of us want to be near other people sometimes. I think this is a legitimate claim for a teacher. Why can't they desire to be with their students at least some of the time. It has NOTHING to do with distance education, online delivery, or anything else. It is just about how they are as human beings. Personally I am not that way. I get my personal contact with people between my family and friends. I don't need that from my work, but I at least have the wisdom to recognize that others may want that from there job and it isn't about Online courses.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Reply to 16 Qs and a Final Paper
I understand totally about what Tim was saying. I think it would be a lot easier for a teacher to post what we have to do and when it is due and be done with it. Easier for everyone. BUT.... is easy what we need. Is easy how we learn. Lets face it, we learn the most when we fail. When I get a D on a paper, I learn a lot about what is expected and what I should have done. Getting As just for showing up doesn't help me much. I'm earning a Masters degree here and there should be difficult times. This isn't something we just do in that extra time we have. I do most of my work when the kids are sleeping. Typically it is late at night and I miss out on sleep just so I can do this work. That means something to me. If I just had 2 hours a day with no responsibilities and was acing a class, that wouldn't mean anything to me. At the end of this course I will get a grade and I will know that whatever it is, I earned it and I worked for it. That is really satisfying. I've had tons of courses where I breezed through learning nothing new and just spilling back at them what they give me. This is different. This class reminds me more of my Philosophy classes (my other major). I get to think and discuss how I feel about things. I see how others feel about things. And it isn't just about right and wrong. I can disagree with the teacher all day and I don't think that will cause me to fail. Try that in some regular courses. I enjoy the class. Yes, I feel like I read and type a lot. Yes, I feel tied to the computer at times. But that is a sacrifice. Nothing worth doing is easy. Or is it Nothing easy is worth doing. Either way I can appreciate how this class is actually worth doing.
Sunday afternoon thought
Well, I've been home from church a little while now and a few things began to cross my mind. I teach Sunday School to young adults (20-45) and I realized how poorly we do at teaching Sunday School. I mean we do almost nothing that a teacher should do. We have almost no tools or technologies. It is just the people in a room with our Bibles. No flip chart, no audio recordings, no anything. Then I began to think. How would it work if it were more like a classroom. What if I had handouts, video clips, oral quizzes, group work. I don't know. I might run everyone out of my class. I realized that as bad as education is about tradition, churches can be even worse. I don't know what would happen if I had contemporary christian music playing when they entered, a video to watch, and a handout that they answer questions to and turn in. There are three public school teachers in the class other than myself, but no one seems to mind the daily grind. This class made me think I should shake things up. I've found some good websites, books, youtube videos and such they the class may enjoy. I should try to incorporate that into the lessons or at least let them be aware that it is out there. Just an afternoon rant.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Short Critique on the Class
Well, It is near the weeks end and I thought I better post this before I forget to do it, since I will be at the UK game most of the day tomorrow. Three weeks almost finished and I think I am just getting a handle on what to do. I admit this is my 5th online course and it is by far totally different then the other 4.
I have to admit the one thing I've really enjoyed is the blogging. Sometimes I catch myself basically typing them to myself. I don't feel like I have an audience, but rather it is just me trying to figure out how I feel about topics. It is a place to vent, a place to think, a place to learn. It is almost like a journal for those that kept them. I never did obviously or this wouldn't all be new to me. I find it really amazing that I never give my audience much thought when blogging. Audience is important when writing, but with these class blogs I just don't feel the pressure. I think the Doc is good about encouraging us to just participate and that helps me to not care about what others think. Don't get me wrong I appreciate comments, IM's, and other posts on the same topic. I've always thought discussion is a wonderful tool in the classroom. Kids teach each other and learn together during discussion. Online has the advantage of reading at your own pace and being more deliberate about what you say. I've just enjoyed the forum to let my thoughts and and peek into the thoughts of others.
But I guess I should be critical of the class and not just praise it. Well, I guess my only issue with the class is the amount of work. I don't think I really use more time in this class, but rather more thought provoking time. Some classes have you do mindless things like play games or simple stuff like answer multiple choice questions. We have none of that here. It is like everything we do is intense. I have to think all the time. I read and type, then read and type. It can be straining on the brain. I personally don't mind the pressure, but I could definitely see how others may struggle with it. My wife would hate this class. She loves to talk and chat, but the topics are complex and deep. Not typical chat stuff. No, I'm not dogging my wife. She is smart and wonderful, but just probably wouldn't like this class.
In the end I have to admit I like the idea of people failing and not everyone getting an A. That isn't how it should be. Everyone won't be excellent in there work. We should get what we earn and I've met teachers that don't really believe that. Shocking for some I know. Even where I work, I'm told to never give a Quarter grade below a 50. They say it becomes to hard to make up. Even when the kid earns a 15 I'm supposed to mark 50. Sometimes I go against the grain, but usually it isn't worth it. If they got a 15 this time what makes me think they will bring a 50 up next time. Just a vent, goodnight all.
I have to admit the one thing I've really enjoyed is the blogging. Sometimes I catch myself basically typing them to myself. I don't feel like I have an audience, but rather it is just me trying to figure out how I feel about topics. It is a place to vent, a place to think, a place to learn. It is almost like a journal for those that kept them. I never did obviously or this wouldn't all be new to me. I find it really amazing that I never give my audience much thought when blogging. Audience is important when writing, but with these class blogs I just don't feel the pressure. I think the Doc is good about encouraging us to just participate and that helps me to not care about what others think. Don't get me wrong I appreciate comments, IM's, and other posts on the same topic. I've always thought discussion is a wonderful tool in the classroom. Kids teach each other and learn together during discussion. Online has the advantage of reading at your own pace and being more deliberate about what you say. I've just enjoyed the forum to let my thoughts and and peek into the thoughts of others.
But I guess I should be critical of the class and not just praise it. Well, I guess my only issue with the class is the amount of work. I don't think I really use more time in this class, but rather more thought provoking time. Some classes have you do mindless things like play games or simple stuff like answer multiple choice questions. We have none of that here. It is like everything we do is intense. I have to think all the time. I read and type, then read and type. It can be straining on the brain. I personally don't mind the pressure, but I could definitely see how others may struggle with it. My wife would hate this class. She loves to talk and chat, but the topics are complex and deep. Not typical chat stuff. No, I'm not dogging my wife. She is smart and wonderful, but just probably wouldn't like this class.
In the end I have to admit I like the idea of people failing and not everyone getting an A. That isn't how it should be. Everyone won't be excellent in there work. We should get what we earn and I've met teachers that don't really believe that. Shocking for some I know. Even where I work, I'm told to never give a Quarter grade below a 50. They say it becomes to hard to make up. Even when the kid earns a 15 I'm supposed to mark 50. Sometimes I go against the grain, but usually it isn't worth it. If they got a 15 this time what makes me think they will bring a 50 up next time. Just a vent, goodnight all.
Just some thoughts and replies.
Well, I'm busy like most of you so by the time I get to the computer at night I am worn down, but with a lot to think about. I just want to reply and comment on a few things that I have read.
First, the Doc replied to one of my blog posts with this comment "As for face to face ... nobody would begin to suggest that there's something wrong with it. Just -- how much you willing to pay to have face time with me? You'd have to fly to Colorado, rent a car, probably wanna stay over at least one night... frankly, I doubt that I'm worth it."
So, what does that mean to me. Well I began thinking about that. Of course we can't all fly to Colorado and visit with a professor to take a class on a daily or weekly basis. That is why we have "online" courses. They bridge the gap that we otherwise would just be staring at wishing we could cross. I went to a college about an hour and a half from where I grew up. Now, many reasons existed, but one of them was that I wanted to be close to home and save money. Many people are in a similar situation.
But what about online delivery? Wouldn't that have also met my needs? I think so, but I think about what I would have missed. I never would have met my wife. My friends I hung out with would only consist of the high school buddies that didn't go away to college. I wouldn't have joined a fraternity and went on spring break. I'm not saying all the experiences of college are great, but they made me who I am and I regret almost none of them. I certainly wouldn't want to go back and do it all over again online. I just think online delivery, video tape course, and other distance ed has a bright future but isn't the final word in education. We need that face to face time more than anything for socialization especially at the younger years. I realized some may argue that it could be done similar to home schooling. I have nothing against homeschooling and have considered it for my own children. But again I think it isn't about the technology, but how it is used and how the parents raise the child. It would be easy to let little johnny take classes online, chat online, watch TV online, and spend his days online. I personally don't like that and think it is a bigger possibility than some think.
That brings me back to other comments the Doc made in his stereotypes post. I totally agree with him that it isn't about how the tech is bad or the Internet is bad, but rather how it is used. Guns aren't bad and cars aren't bad. But either in the hand of someone abusing substances is real bad. We can't just say things like "technology is bad", "the Internet is bad", "online classes are bad." What we can say is that these things have issues when misused or abused. I think in another post of mine I even began to argue against the method of my current masters degree. All the classes are online. I will never see a teacher in the physical world. I will never go to campus because I even order my books online. For my sake I don't want it changed, but It wouldn't hurt to require one or two courses to be taken face to face. Even if it only met once a week and did online work the rest of the time. Again comments are welcome and I'm never sure if I have communicated what I mean to communicate. That can be an issue with typing messages online because the lack of face to face and SMELL. :)
First, the Doc replied to one of my blog posts with this comment "As for face to face ... nobody would begin to suggest that there's something wrong with it. Just -- how much you willing to pay to have face time with me? You'd have to fly to Colorado, rent a car, probably wanna stay over at least one night... frankly, I doubt that I'm worth it."
So, what does that mean to me. Well I began thinking about that. Of course we can't all fly to Colorado and visit with a professor to take a class on a daily or weekly basis. That is why we have "online" courses. They bridge the gap that we otherwise would just be staring at wishing we could cross. I went to a college about an hour and a half from where I grew up. Now, many reasons existed, but one of them was that I wanted to be close to home and save money. Many people are in a similar situation.
But what about online delivery? Wouldn't that have also met my needs? I think so, but I think about what I would have missed. I never would have met my wife. My friends I hung out with would only consist of the high school buddies that didn't go away to college. I wouldn't have joined a fraternity and went on spring break. I'm not saying all the experiences of college are great, but they made me who I am and I regret almost none of them. I certainly wouldn't want to go back and do it all over again online. I just think online delivery, video tape course, and other distance ed has a bright future but isn't the final word in education. We need that face to face time more than anything for socialization especially at the younger years. I realized some may argue that it could be done similar to home schooling. I have nothing against homeschooling and have considered it for my own children. But again I think it isn't about the technology, but how it is used and how the parents raise the child. It would be easy to let little johnny take classes online, chat online, watch TV online, and spend his days online. I personally don't like that and think it is a bigger possibility than some think.
That brings me back to other comments the Doc made in his stereotypes post. I totally agree with him that it isn't about how the tech is bad or the Internet is bad, but rather how it is used. Guns aren't bad and cars aren't bad. But either in the hand of someone abusing substances is real bad. We can't just say things like "technology is bad", "the Internet is bad", "online classes are bad." What we can say is that these things have issues when misused or abused. I think in another post of mine I even began to argue against the method of my current masters degree. All the classes are online. I will never see a teacher in the physical world. I will never go to campus because I even order my books online. For my sake I don't want it changed, but It wouldn't hurt to require one or two courses to be taken face to face. Even if it only met once a week and did online work the rest of the time. Again comments are welcome and I'm never sure if I have communicated what I mean to communicate. That can be an issue with typing messages online because the lack of face to face and SMELL. :)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Same Old thing
Yes, we like to do the same old thing. Many just want to improve upon what we are already doing. We want it easier, cheaper, faster, greener, smaller, and the like. We don't really want innovation, because innovation would mean real change. Not just changing things for the better, but changing how WE have to do things. People are very resistant to change at times. Now tradition can be good especially for stability. Stability is a good thing, because it builds security and trust. If someone doesn't feel secure then they don't care about some new innovation that may do this or that. Innovation is scary because it involves the unknown. Many people don't like that. They want consistency.
An intersting comment in an email from the Doc about this article said the following: Education is what we do to students, learning is what students to to themselves. I reread this statement several times. The thing I found odd about this (perhaps it comes from my philosophy degree) is that it appears that teachers would carry the responsibility for education but students would be responsible for learning. I'm not really sure what I think about that, but I would love some responses to that line of thinking, agree or disagree.
If we didn’t have schools, what would education look like? The final question from today's post. I think to answer this we would first have to decide if schools had ever existed or if they suddenly shut down today. I will go with they have never existed at least in current form and maybe someone else will post on if they vanished or shut down today. So what if schools as we know them had never been formed. I would assume even in General education schools hadn't come about, then at least small schools (maybe as few as 5 students) would have formed for specific job training. This would be more like apprenticing. So where does that leave us today. I think with the downfall of the traditional family, increased substance abuse, and a selfish attitude, we would be lost without schools. Where would the 8 year old kids be. Not at home studying. Sure maybe 25% would be. But what about the masses that can't stay at home with the kids. They need school as a place to go and learn. I am not saying schools do everything right, but they are needed. Without them we would have a lot of kids sitting at home without direction or in daycare all day long doing nothing.
An intersting comment in an email from the Doc about this article said the following: Education is what we do to students, learning is what students to to themselves. I reread this statement several times. The thing I found odd about this (perhaps it comes from my philosophy degree) is that it appears that teachers would carry the responsibility for education but students would be responsible for learning. I'm not really sure what I think about that, but I would love some responses to that line of thinking, agree or disagree.
If we didn’t have schools, what would education look like? The final question from today's post. I think to answer this we would first have to decide if schools had ever existed or if they suddenly shut down today. I will go with they have never existed at least in current form and maybe someone else will post on if they vanished or shut down today. So what if schools as we know them had never been formed. I would assume even in General education schools hadn't come about, then at least small schools (maybe as few as 5 students) would have formed for specific job training. This would be more like apprenticing. So where does that leave us today. I think with the downfall of the traditional family, increased substance abuse, and a selfish attitude, we would be lost without schools. Where would the 8 year old kids be. Not at home studying. Sure maybe 25% would be. But what about the masses that can't stay at home with the kids. They need school as a place to go and learn. I am not saying schools do everything right, but they are needed. Without them we would have a lot of kids sitting at home without direction or in daycare all day long doing nothing.
Why NOT Distance Education?
Interesting article about the potential benefits of Distance Ed. The comment about getting a GED online was a good one. But I think it brings up an excellent point. And before I state it I would like to say that I am coming from someone who works with prisoners every day. So I have some of the "criminal thinking" bouncing around all the time in my head. Anyway to the point.
Cheating. I know many will argue that cheating isnt an issue with online courses. And perhaps depending upon how it is ran, then cheating would be more work then actually doing the work. But lets go back to the GED. Let's suppose you want your GED and you are 23 year old man that hasn't been in school since 5th grade. Well you go and take it and fail. Then you hear about the online test for the GED. Your girlfriend is 19 and graduated high in her class last year. You sit down with her and take the test together. BLAM! You have a GED.
This argument could be extended to any online class, certification, license, or anything were proving who you is about typing in info to a faceless computer. Again, I don't think cheating is a large factor, but imagine an all online degree(such as the one I am currently in). From the day I signed up for this class, this could have always been my cousin Ted. Now, not only this class, but all my classes. Honestly I can't think of any reason my cousin Ted, if I had one, couldnt get the entire degree for me. Maybe pay him some money or whatever. For all anyone knows, this is Ted right now.
Again, I just think it has the potential to be a problem. I would really enjoy comments or responses that show me cheating isnt the issue I think it could be.
Cheating. I know many will argue that cheating isnt an issue with online courses. And perhaps depending upon how it is ran, then cheating would be more work then actually doing the work. But lets go back to the GED. Let's suppose you want your GED and you are 23 year old man that hasn't been in school since 5th grade. Well you go and take it and fail. Then you hear about the online test for the GED. Your girlfriend is 19 and graduated high in her class last year. You sit down with her and take the test together. BLAM! You have a GED.
This argument could be extended to any online class, certification, license, or anything were proving who you is about typing in info to a faceless computer. Again, I don't think cheating is a large factor, but imagine an all online degree(such as the one I am currently in). From the day I signed up for this class, this could have always been my cousin Ted. Now, not only this class, but all my classes. Honestly I can't think of any reason my cousin Ted, if I had one, couldnt get the entire degree for me. Maybe pay him some money or whatever. For all anyone knows, this is Ted right now.
Again, I just think it has the potential to be a problem. I would really enjoy comments or responses that show me cheating isnt the issue I think it could be.
Monday, September 1, 2008
To use DE or not to use DE? That is the question.
From what we have read and talked about so far, I think Distance Education has huge advantages over traditional education. (On a side note, for the purpose of this article Distance Education will include anything that is education outside the traditional classroom that involves geographical distance between teacher and learner.) Distance Ed allows for a great deal of time and space flexibility in the classroom. Instead of class being 3pm-4pm Mon and Wed, it is anytime anywhere. Or perhaps better it is all the time everywhere. Class in some ways can seem to never end as opposed to being strictly limited.
But I suppose this depends on how a class is managed by the teacher. For instance, some teachers just lecture, while others are interactive to the point that lecturing is eliminated. Some classes I've had could be done by watching a video tape of the teacher and mailing in your answers to questions. That would be Distance Ed, and the Internet just allows the video to be online along with the questions. Both are poor uses of Distance Ed and should be avoided.
Almost anything you can do in a classroom you can do with Distance Education. And sometimes many more things can be accomplished with a Distance Education class. DE often has advantages such as having digital copies of lectures, work, discussions, and the like to refer back to if needed.
The major downfall of Distance Education is the lack of personal face to face time. I don't care what anyone says, but you need the time together in order to properly build a relationship. For instance you shouldn't raise your teenager via text messages. You need face to face time with them. If nothing else, it shows that you care enough to show up and be with them. Humans were never meant to be isolated and alone in our lives and this includes education I think. Sure, at some point in learning DE becomes much more viable as an option. Someone pursuing a PHD could easily take courses online and get what they need from it. But to consider using DE for 2nd graders without any human contact is crazy. I think the biggest disadvantage of DE is truly that people make think it is the end all be all answer to education.
I would love to use some DE in my class. Being that I am in a prison, I don't really have that option. But one day I hope to be teaching in a regular school. I think as technology becomes cheaper and more available to everyone, then DE should be used more and more. I would love to have webquests, online chats, discussions, and the like with my classes. I can only dream for that day when I am allowed to actually teach someone.
But I suppose this depends on how a class is managed by the teacher. For instance, some teachers just lecture, while others are interactive to the point that lecturing is eliminated. Some classes I've had could be done by watching a video tape of the teacher and mailing in your answers to questions. That would be Distance Ed, and the Internet just allows the video to be online along with the questions. Both are poor uses of Distance Ed and should be avoided.
Almost anything you can do in a classroom you can do with Distance Education. And sometimes many more things can be accomplished with a Distance Education class. DE often has advantages such as having digital copies of lectures, work, discussions, and the like to refer back to if needed.
The major downfall of Distance Education is the lack of personal face to face time. I don't care what anyone says, but you need the time together in order to properly build a relationship. For instance you shouldn't raise your teenager via text messages. You need face to face time with them. If nothing else, it shows that you care enough to show up and be with them. Humans were never meant to be isolated and alone in our lives and this includes education I think. Sure, at some point in learning DE becomes much more viable as an option. Someone pursuing a PHD could easily take courses online and get what they need from it. But to consider using DE for 2nd graders without any human contact is crazy. I think the biggest disadvantage of DE is truly that people make think it is the end all be all answer to education.
I would love to use some DE in my class. Being that I am in a prison, I don't really have that option. But one day I hope to be teaching in a regular school. I think as technology becomes cheaper and more available to everyone, then DE should be used more and more. I would love to have webquests, online chats, discussions, and the like with my classes. I can only dream for that day when I am allowed to actually teach someone.
A Remote Access Gator Review
Since we were to select and tell about another blog from our "gator" I selected "Classroom Setup" from the remote access feed. The link to the article is http://remoteaccess.typepad.com/remote_access/2008/08/classroom-set-up.html and includes many pictures. Honestly the pictures are what caught my attention when I was skimming through different blogs. Apparently this blog is mostly pictures and discussion about setting up the classroom at the beginning of the year. I noticed several interesting things both in the reading and in the pictures.
First, the teacher has no "desk" as most teachers do. The teacher has a small corner with a chair, laptop, and small cabinet to store some basic supplies. My first reaction because I teach in a prison was "no waaaaaaaay." But then I tried to think about teaching in non prison settings. It actually seemed to make sense. Why have a big bulky desk with tons of unnecessary stuff in it. A laptop can replace a bulky desktop and a small file cabinet should work for supplies like this teacher did. Some other issues arose in my mind. For instance, what about a classroom printer. Well, either it could be located somewhere else in the room or usually you can just link your computer to an office printer on the network. Next, I wondered about separation. I think for instance that many teachers use the desk as a dividing line to separate teacher from student. Perhaps in some settings they feel this is necessary because of safety or the behavior of the students. I think separation could just as easily be created by how the room is set up as a whole and not just about having a desk to act as a wall. By the way you arrange tables, desks, and other objects in the room you could create a more open feel but maintain separation.
Another topic that jumped out at me in the blog was how much "POP" you want your classroom to have. This class had lime green on the walls, colorful chairs, plants, posters on the walls, and a couch. I would say this classroom had quite a bit of "POP" in the room. I've always wondered at what point colors and interesting stuff in the room is just distracting or a temporary attraction that fades quickly to students. Then again I suppose things like colors are only meant as a "hook" to get kids interested. Having lime green on the walls won't have kids coming back in January saying "wow I love the green on the walls, this room is so fun". At least most kids wont react that way. For sustained "POP" that would have to mean change in general. In some ways kids hate change. They like security. They think "I know Mr. Bennett will be there and so will my desk and the poster about triangles." So as interesting as change can be for some, it is unstable to others. Especially the at risk kids in unstable families. So, I would warn teachers to use change with caution. Yes repainting your room and rearranging the layout during spring break can rejuvenate the class, but some kids will be uncomfortable and feel they've lost a stable part of their unstable lives.
First, the teacher has no "desk" as most teachers do. The teacher has a small corner with a chair, laptop, and small cabinet to store some basic supplies. My first reaction because I teach in a prison was "no waaaaaaaay." But then I tried to think about teaching in non prison settings. It actually seemed to make sense. Why have a big bulky desk with tons of unnecessary stuff in it. A laptop can replace a bulky desktop and a small file cabinet should work for supplies like this teacher did. Some other issues arose in my mind. For instance, what about a classroom printer. Well, either it could be located somewhere else in the room or usually you can just link your computer to an office printer on the network. Next, I wondered about separation. I think for instance that many teachers use the desk as a dividing line to separate teacher from student. Perhaps in some settings they feel this is necessary because of safety or the behavior of the students. I think separation could just as easily be created by how the room is set up as a whole and not just about having a desk to act as a wall. By the way you arrange tables, desks, and other objects in the room you could create a more open feel but maintain separation.
Another topic that jumped out at me in the blog was how much "POP" you want your classroom to have. This class had lime green on the walls, colorful chairs, plants, posters on the walls, and a couch. I would say this classroom had quite a bit of "POP" in the room. I've always wondered at what point colors and interesting stuff in the room is just distracting or a temporary attraction that fades quickly to students. Then again I suppose things like colors are only meant as a "hook" to get kids interested. Having lime green on the walls won't have kids coming back in January saying "wow I love the green on the walls, this room is so fun". At least most kids wont react that way. For sustained "POP" that would have to mean change in general. In some ways kids hate change. They like security. They think "I know Mr. Bennett will be there and so will my desk and the poster about triangles." So as interesting as change can be for some, it is unstable to others. Especially the at risk kids in unstable families. So, I would warn teachers to use change with caution. Yes repainting your room and rearranging the layout during spring break can rejuvenate the class, but some kids will be uncomfortable and feel they've lost a stable part of their unstable lives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)