January 6. 2009 14:32

The quote on page 31 about Rip Van Winkle awakening in the 21st century and the only thing that had not changed was schools really stood out to me. I think about that quite often. I do not think that schools are changing quickly enough to keep up with the kids we are teaching. We are teaching a different type of kid, and we do have to be aware that a majority of them are not diligent and do not have a desire to be life-long learners, but it is our job to try to instill this in them.

I agree with you, Brenda. We often fail to make our kids think and we do sometimes set our expectations too low. Instead of raising the bar, we are often lowering it and doing a disservice to our students. I think that we as teachers just get into habits like assigning the questions at the end of the chapter and do "what we've always done" instead of trying new things that will challenge students to think. Also, I think that it is a little bit of laziness on the part of the teacher because doing something different would require more work and planning instead of pulling a worksheet out of the file cabinet. I know that I have been guilty of this at times, but I realize that although it may get me through the day, I am not doing all I can for my students.

F44AD

January 8. 2009 10:35

Thanks, Chamekka, for being candid. I think perhaps we want to share these blogs with the staff at some point. Let's consider that.
Brenda

F0B5A

January 9. 2009 19:36

I found David Warlick's comment on page 33 enlightening. We are working, teaching, and learning in a school where the media center was a product of the Industrial Age...or the Agricultural Age if you remember our laptop video. We have such a tremendous amount of technology available to use--hardware and software. We are six years into this program and how has teaching and learning changed? Not much.

We have some teachers that have whole-heartedly embraced the 21st century skills and tools that our students must know in order to be successful. Others tack on some assignments or activities. In many instances, these activities don't really relate to the curriculum but "I have to use the laptops for this lesson." We have others who refuse to use technology. They are good teachers. They can get the content across to the students. They may even feel that they engage the students. However, they are not preparing the students for the world outside of GC.

How can I help move our staff along the technology continuum? Short of walking into a classroom and physically taking over, what can I do to encourage more effective use of technology? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

5F0BD

January 11. 2009 18:44

I cannot imagine teaching without computers. After five years the use of technology in the classroom should be a natural part of lesson planning. As Chamekka says, I think a lot of teachers just want to keep teaching like they always have taught. That must make teaching so boring! I do not have the answer for Michael---how to encourage more effective use of technology. If we require a certain number of lessons that require technology, we are taking away the effectiveness of using computers. Using technology should be a natural part of classes, but how do we make it happen?

35A7D

January 13. 2009 20:00

I am guilty of being one of those teachers who often does the same thing that I have always done.. sometimes because it is easy, but mostly because it works for my students. But as I read this chapter it did strike me that I was truly doing my students an injustice. Although I feel that my students (for the most part) are there because they want to be and I do have fun and interesting classes, there are many things that I could be doing differently to prepare them to be 21st century learners. This chapter put a burn in me to want to try new things. I do think that alot of times the problem with creating new lessons comes from having the time to prepare like I want to, but I am willing to make more of an effort to incorporate more technology into my lessons and move my students forward as lifelong learners.

Lisa

January 14. 2009 08:54

Wonderful!

Susan

January 14. 2009 22:32

Chapter 3 definitely made me take a long look at my own thoughts on literacy and engaging students. I, too, have been guilty of pulling the assignment out of the filing cabinet and having students graze through the textbook to find answers. I realize that this may familiarize students with subjects at best, but not much authentic learning is taking place during these activities. I agree with Lisa that planning time is definitely a factor in creating activities that will engage 21st century learners, but if we do not change our methods of engaging students we will be wasting all of our time!

Holly