knowledge points the direction you need to take your class, but wisdom tells you the path may wind and bend in every other direction before you arrive. In climbing, you study the path ahead, and footholds and handholds appear in what at first seemed impassable. Its as if the mountain unlocks itself if you patiently try its face.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Day 17: The Most Challenging Issue in Education Today
The incorporation of new teacher assessment methods. It appears to be burdensome for administrators as well as for teachers.
Educators are held to a higher standard than the rest of the population. For instance, if the news reports an accident or crime, the headline is, "Local teacher Caught Driving Drunk" You would never hear, "JCPenny's Sales Clerk Caught Drunk Driving." Our names and our jobs are linked, such that our character as individuals are constantly assessed by the world. Since we work with children, I don't necessarily disagree with that, I'm just aware of it. All the time.
In addition to that, our government is now forcing very stringent performance assessment in the world of education. We have to not only DO a good job, but PROVE, DOCUMENT, and DEFEND the fact that we are doing a good job. I can't think of another industry this harshly scrutinized. Just seems hard to implement, maintain, and control. I also fear use of this system for political gain and destruction of unions.
Educators are held to a higher standard than the rest of the population. For instance, if the news reports an accident or crime, the headline is, "Local teacher Caught Driving Drunk" You would never hear, "JCPenny's Sales Clerk Caught Drunk Driving." Our names and our jobs are linked, such that our character as individuals are constantly assessed by the world. Since we work with children, I don't necessarily disagree with that, I'm just aware of it. All the time.
In addition to that, our government is now forcing very stringent performance assessment in the world of education. We have to not only DO a good job, but PROVE, DOCUMENT, and DEFEND the fact that we are doing a good job. I can't think of another industry this harshly scrutinized. Just seems hard to implement, maintain, and control. I also fear use of this system for political gain and destruction of unions.
Day 16: If I Had a Superpower in the Classroom, It Would Be...
...a matrix-like ability to bend time! I'd use it to grade projects with lightning speed, and grapple with my SGOs.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Day 15: 3 Strengths I Have as a Teacher
Peers and administrators tell me my classroom seems like a happy place to be, and that my students seem to know I honestly care about their learning. I think that's true, and I'm happy to call the ability to create a safe and happy classroom my strength.
One area I'd like TO strengthen, is class dialogue. I've always been weak on managing whole class conversations, and I believe they're an intrugal part of establishing foundation essential question answers.
Day 14: Feedback for Learning
What is it? How do I give it to my students? This is the most important part of my day, providing quality feedback that inspires experimentation, diligence, and improvement. I give my students three kinds of feedback.
Self-assessment feedback. "You know you're on the right track if you see...." Or, "Great projects feature these three things..." Or, "Here's some examples of other student's projects. What did they do right? What went wrong?" I want them developing a critical eye for their own creative process, they need to hear themselves long after my voice has faded from their days.
Coaching feedback. After highlighting an aspect of the project that many are grappling with, a little shoulder surfing for in-the-moment guidance seems to build confidence. I do it myself, but also have students follow me, then break off and coach their peers.
In both cases, I try to only work on part of the skill they're building, and tie it to the big picture.
The last piece of feedback is a cumulative assessment of their project and all of its facets. They get that from their peers, and also from me (final rubric).
Day 13: Favorite Edtech Tools
Aside from Google Docs, my favorite ed tech tools are mostly apps. I teach multimedia--think video, audio, podcasting, animation--in a classroom that doesn't have the very best of computers or applications. We deal with computer crashing, Movie Maker skipping and choking, and recording audio on the pc an impossibility. The great news is that just about every student carries an Apple or Android phone with terrific free photo/video editing apps! In particular, I like: iMovie and iMotion HD.
While I do teach the Adobe suite of software, having free or inexpensive student access to technology is also very important. Buying PhototShop for at-home use is too much for most students, but GIMP is free! While it's not as comprehensive, it does offer a great deal and, did I mention? It's free! I also love Audacity for audio. Not mobile, but it it cross platform and free!
Day 12: Envisioning Change over Next 5 Years
Personally, I envision improvement. I'm still new enough in my career that I struggle to plan, assess, and research in time to teach effectively. Lots of late nights, hence the spill-able coffee. I envision becoming more adept at diversifying instruction, and supporting the low and high ends of the class better.
Professionally, I envision changes to the profession itself: strict assessments for student; metrics for educators; union strength wavering (but hopefully regaining strength!); and continued turmoil for urban schools. The political and economic realities of this country have become very stark and separatist, leaving the middle class unsupported and vulnerable. Unionized professions like teaching form the backbone of a strong middle class. If unions loose strength, the middle class will suffer. I think we'll know that the country's dire economic situation has turned around when we see strong support for professions that embrace union culture. I hope we'll come out of the scrutiny and forced changes as better educators, and profession will be stronger as a whole. If the PARCC and Union-busting Governors don't kill us.
Professionally, I envision changes to the profession itself: strict assessments for student; metrics for educators; union strength wavering (but hopefully regaining strength!); and continued turmoil for urban schools. The political and economic realities of this country have become very stark and separatist, leaving the middle class unsupported and vulnerable. Unionized professions like teaching form the backbone of a strong middle class. If unions loose strength, the middle class will suffer. I think we'll know that the country's dire economic situation has turned around when we see strong support for professions that embrace union culture. I hope we'll come out of the scrutiny and forced changes as better educators, and profession will be stronger as a whole. If the PARCC and Union-busting Governors don't kill us.
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