Thoughts on GE 570

Overall, this was one of the most informative classes I have taken in regards to education.  I never knew there were so many angles that could be taken when instructing students.  Sometimes as teachers, you tend to forget that innovation and an imagination can go a long way.  Throughout this class I have realized that teaching is a learning process very much like the lessons we are responsible for.  We learn from our mistakes, then use them to better ourselves and become more effective.  

Another eye opener for myself was the amount of technology that is available for cognitive growth.  It does appear that many districts are timid of the idea, but many of the programs shown great promise in being affective.  We must remember that technological programs will not be implemented to replace to performances of teachers, but rather to compliments their strategies and thoughts.  I am excited to see the programs that will surface in years to come.

Lastly, I just wanted to say that I could tell that everyone in class makes contributions to the profession of education in some way.  Just by meeting everyone a couple times per week, I was able to tell that everyone shares that special passion that all educators should have.  I have learned from all of you in some way, and I thank you for that.

Thank you once again and have a great summer. 

How To Measure Performance

Today I noticed an article posted by the New York Times that was about drastic improvements by students in New York relating to standardized testing.  The article is a little bitter sweet because even though it does speak of improvements in test scores it also argues the the accuracy of the percentages/claims that are being celebrated.  It does in fact seem that there have been improvements, but it should not overshadow the fact that work still needs to be done.  

If anything, this article just shows that the percentages that are formulated for state and national standards may not in fact represent the actual skill level that most students are at.  It seems that every state/district has its own way of determining scores to some degree.  

Here's the link.  Let me know what you think - www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/education/24scores.html?_r=1&oref=slogin    

Reciprocal Teaching

Through our class discussion yesterday it was very interesting to see the potential that reciprocal teaching can have on many levels of education.  Once students know what is expected of them in regards to the four different jobs that can be assigned.  Regardless of the task one is asked to complete, all students must think critically and break down the subject matter at hand.  Allowing them to work in small groups they are also given the opportunity to run ideas off of one another.  Many times students are able to explain ideas on more understandable terms because they are able to find better connections.  

One of the better features of this approach is when students get to develop wuestions that coincide with the topic being dicussed in class.  This is the perfect oppurutnity for the teacher to assess whenther thier studtns have understood the material.  This will also give them the chance to assess whenther they have presented the material in an affective manner.  

More importantly this techniques allows the students to be interactive rather than having them sit there and take notes.  The best way to have students understand a particular text is to have them learn it on their own terms and them give assistance where they may be having difficulties.  Through personal experience, students tend to retain information better when they learn information on their own.  Similar to that of multiple intelligence, students may not learn well strictly from the way you deliver information.

Reciprocal reaching is a method that allows teachers to better themselves based on the feedback they receive from their students.  This in fact helps an educator become the best they can be, which should be the goal of all educators.  If anyone has any feedback please let me know.

Online Programs To Assist Learning

I found it very interesting last week when we looked at various online programs that were developed to assist in a child's cognitive growth.  www.flocabulary.com was the most unique out of the group.  At this day in age it should be encouraged for districts to use any means in order to keep students motivated.  The proper precautions must be made in order to ensure that students are not exposed to content that may be inappropriate.  With the right measures taken, programs such as these may be contributers to reaching the NCLB  standards.  

At times I feel that teachers and administrators are afraid of giving such programs a chance because they do not fit the standards that most districts are custom to using.  Implementing such programs will also require proper training and the necessary precautions.  The time and effort put into these programs might be worth the gamble when considering the possible outcomes.  Teachers may have to leave their comfort zone and begin to use methods such as freestyle/hip-hop to reach their students on a more understandable level.  If meeting the children half way is going to make a difference, there should be no debate.

Here is a little background info on those who are responsible for this approach - 

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2006-04-04/winter-hiphopinclass

http://media.www.wilkesbeacon.com/media/storage/paper533/news/2006/09/17/Opinion/This-Is.How.We.Do.It.learn.That.Is-2280702.shtml

Who Suffers From NCLB

As we all contemplate over the effectiveness of NCLB, there is no doubt that it was implemented to "bridge the gap" between students of various academic levels. As stated in an earlier blog, in theory it seems like a great idea, and is proving to actual work in most cases (just not necessarily in the unrealistic time frame given).
Recently there was an article in the New York Times that brings up a point that most people never think of, which is the lack of attention that the more privileged children are getting. So much focus is being put on the students who are struggling, that we begin to forget that all children need to be motivated and challenged on a regular basis.
For some teachers this may be a Major dilemma. Teaching jobs are at times put into jeopardy based on the results students get on test scores. If this is the case, a gifted student's interests may be put off to the side for the simple fact that they are going to score well regardless on standardized tests throughout the year. Recent studies have shown that while lower scoring students have been increasing test scores at a high rate, gifted students have shown little or no improvement.

Here is a link to the article - hope you enjoy it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/18/education/18child.html?_r=1&ref=education&oref=slogin

MY Access Writing Software

In today's class it was very interesting to see how much progression has been made in online based software that can be used in a classroom setting.  The My Access program from Vantage Learning not only allows teachers to evaluate progress but also students when regarding writing activities.  The program is extremely beneficial for teachers based that it serves multiple purposes.  Having a program that allows you to develop lesson plans, watch student progress, and formulate evaluations, is outstanding.  The simple fact that a teacher can watch a student's composition progress in stages makes it much easier to make corrections and suggestions.  When considering secondary education, students and teachers are only given limited time to work with each other on a daily basis.  This program allows for interaction to take place when it is the most convenient for both parties.

Another great quality of the program is that students can improve their writing pieces simply by using the tools that the program has to offer.  As long as the student is able to understand the general information and assignment at hand, the program will guide them through the entire writing process.  This could be the extra assistance that most students need but never get the opportunity to receive.  

The only complaint with relying strongly on this program is that there will be students who only have limited Internet access. This will put them at a disadvantage when compared to other students.  If anyone has any solution to this situation, please respond. 

Here is a company that seems to have similar goals to the one we observed in class - 

www.ets.org/criterion

To Blog Or Not To Blog

The article written by David Huffaker does bring some promising information in regards to the use of educational blogging.  With such a rise in technological development within school districts, it would only make sense to allow students to use it to its full potential.  Among the four million published weblogs, almost 53% are created by children and adolescence between the ages 13-19 (Henning 2003).  It may be a more comfortable form of communication when sharing educational based ideas.  For many students, it is hard for them to express their ideas in front of an entire class (this can also serve as another form of assessment for the teacher, especially if a students does not participate in class).  For example, as students read daily requirements in a literary text, they can discuss the readings with one another and help each other out when questions are raised.   

The main problem with the use of educational blogs is the possibility of unacceptable behavior and the unwanted presence of outside participants.  This would require constant monitoring by the teachers who decided to use this form of communication along with the assistance of parents/guardians.  The only way such communication would be suitable for a secondary school setting is if the school set up privately run blog pages that could not be obtained by outside sources.  An easier way of sharing ideas could be done through the use of Blackboard.  Here students can use the program to access email, check assignments, and use discussion boards (which would take place of the blog).  

I can't make up my mind on whether I would use it with my students.  Let me know what you think.  I could use some insight.  The following link has some helpful info.

http://www.tltgroup.org/resources/blogs.htm