Are we doing what is best for our students?
I believe that is a question teachers and administrators should ask themselves on a daily basis.I have had the opportunity to teach in both the public a private sector and have found that most teachers do want the best for their students. Now do not get me wrong there are always a few teachers at a school that do not care for the students, but it is my experience these individuals are often in the minority.
I think that we are not doing what is best for our students because most of us are not given the ability to do what is best for our students. Our society evolves so quickly that the educational system cannot catch up. Combine that with a system that is slow to embrace change and you have a readymade educational disaster on your hands.
If we are to bring the American Educational system back to first in the world, a grassroots approach should be implemented starting with teachers and moving all the way up the chain of command to the department of education. I suggest the following steps to all who are interested.
1. Educate your administration on the connection digital education and critical thinking skills
2. Start or join an organization that advocates against standardized testing as a way to promote students and pay teachers.
3. Enlighten your community about your role as a teacher; we have let our profession become a political issue. We should be framing education as a human rights issue (ie. Everyone has a right to a great education).
4. Bring discipline back to the classroom. Even if your administration does not hold students accountable, let students know that they will be held accountable in your classroom.
5. Help promote digital learning and other current educational strategies in your school by hosting in services and creating a professional learning group at your school.
I have found that if you give people the opportunity to rise to an occasion they often do. I challenge everyone to implement a few or all of these ideas into their current school and to add some ideas to the five ideas I have listed above.
I look forward to hearing your ideas on how we can do what is best for our students
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ReplyDelete"Educate your administration on the connection digital education and critical thinking skills."
ReplyDeleteI'm curious.
What do you see as the connection between digital education and critical thinking skills? For that matter, how would you find "digital education?"
Kelvin
KT,
ReplyDeleteThe connection I see between digital education and critical thinking skills is the students ability to learn by doing when every student has a computer in front of them.
By giving every student a computer you change the roll of a teacher from a talking head to more of a facilitator of learning. I like to think of myself as more of a tour guide of learning when I am using 21st century technology.
Don't get me wrong I love chalking and talking, but I find that every year students are less receptive to this teaching style.
In my opinion it is all about the students, and I am going to present material in whatever manner or format that they are most receptive to.
Wow! Great discussion. I agree with you that the majority of teachers do have their students' best interest at heart. We are definitely trying to do what is best. I also agree that in order for us to meet the demands of an evolving society, we are going to have to step it up. You stated that we are not given the ability to do what is best. I am optomistic that the ability to do what is best will come with the improvements that many are already striving to make. There are many talented and well-intentioned educators out there. When these individuals meet the resources that they need, I think we are going to see education turn around. I'm guessing you are as excited as I am about being a part of that.
ReplyDeleteGreat title, btw! (Rage, fan?) Your five points of action for bringing the necessary resources to the educators were well stated. Schools will definitely benefit from an approach like yours that brings the importance of a more relevant approach to light. I really agree with your point about reducing the significance of standardized testing as well as your concept of making training opportunities available to other's in the field. Five points is a nice round number, I would be tempted to add a sixth point mapping a course of action regarding funding for improvements in educational resources. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
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ReplyDeleteAj,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. I appreciate your supportive words. I think your sixth point of “mapping a course of action regarding funding for improvements in education resources” would make a great addition to the list. I might be a little to “eduspeak” for the lay person, but the idea itself is sound. I was hoping to turn my five points into ten so if you can think of another idea it would be helpful.
As for as the future of education goes, I am very excited by the prospect of every teacher receiving the resources they need to do the best job possible. I also look forward to the day when teachers are again acknowledged by society for their dedicated service and not looked upon as sponges on the system. For this to happen I think society needs to focus less on the “job creators” and more on the greater education of society.
No matter what the future of educations holds, I am definitely in it for the long haul.
Erik
Nathanael,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post.
I am a big fan of professional learning groups and have had the opportunity to lead several in-services on the subject of current trends on educational technologies and the efficient use of particular applications. I find that most teachers are eager to learn how to integrate technology into their classrooms, but they are often intimidated by the prospect of losing control of the lesson and the class if there is a glitch in the technology.
While I enjoy helping people integrate technologies into their classroom, it can be a daunting task teaching teachers. In my experience teachers are some of the most difficult people to teach and teachers like most people learn by doing (I think I might have just broken a record for the use of the word teacher in two sentences). Anyway, I usually set up in-services so people can learn by doing. This is accomplished by creating a self paced packet and allowing individuals to explore the application. I then go around the room and help individuals who are having difficulties.
As far as the idea of community outreach goes, I am going to implement that at my school on Tuesday. I am lucky enough to teach at a school that pretty much gives me carte blanche to do what I want. I hope you don’t mind if I take credit for the great idea as my own.
I look forward to interacting with you throughout the semester and keep the good ideas coming.
Erik