Educators, we have a Herculean task in front of us. We have to contend with a culture that glorifies consumption to the point where we will trample our fellow man to get a discount on a DVD or flat-screen television.
I am truley sorry for your lots.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
New seats for a new outlook...
Fun memories looking back on Dutton's memories.
"If you don't want to learn about Rome, you can go to hell!"
Throwing batteries! Yelling! Screaming!
At least now my run-ins with disrespect are less intense. Now it's mostly laughing and yelling.
But the new seats are quite positive so far.
Tests went well in the Office class. Attendance in the Java class has been really pathetic though! Don't know why... Most students are learning I think.
---
My SAT program is coming along. I'm getting in the habit of working on the categories :)
So life is good.
"If you don't want to learn about Rome, you can go to hell!"
Throwing batteries! Yelling! Screaming!
At least now my run-ins with disrespect are less intense. Now it's mostly laughing and yelling.
But the new seats are quite positive so far.
Tests went well in the Office class. Attendance in the Java class has been really pathetic though! Don't know why... Most students are learning I think.
---
My SAT program is coming along. I'm getting in the habit of working on the categories :)
So life is good.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The end of adolescence?
When does childhood end and adulthood begin?
Honestly, I felt like a child until my second year of teaching. It wasn't until I had my own classroom that I felt like an adult. When I was the beginning teacher, I felt powerless.
Newt Gingrich thinks adolescence is overrated:
http://www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/08_45/b4107085289974.htm
Honestly, I felt like a child until my second year of teaching. It wasn't until I had my own classroom that I felt like an adult. When I was the beginning teacher, I felt powerless.
Newt Gingrich thinks adolescence is overrated:
http://www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/08_45/b4107085289974.htm
The costs of this social experiment have been horrendous. For the poor who most need to make money, learn seriously, and accumulate resources, adolescence has helped crush their future. By trapping poor people in bad schools, with no work opportunities and no culture of responsibility, we have left them in poverty, in gangs, in drugs, and in irresponsible sexual activity. As a result, we have ruined several generations of poor people who might have made it if we had provided a different model of being young.
Two Americas
"We live in two Americas. One America, now the minority, functions in a print-based, literate world. It can cope with complexity and has the intellectual tools to separate illusion from truth. The other America, which constitutes the majority, exists in a non-reality-based belief system. This America, dependent on skillfully manipulated images for information, has severed itself from the literate, print-based culture. It cannot differentiate between lies and truth. It is informed by simplistic, childish narratives and clichés. It is thrown into confusion by ambiguity, nuance and self-reflection. This divide, more than race, class or gender, more than rural or urban, believer or nonbeliever, red state or blue state, has split the country into radically distinct, unbridgeable and antagonistic entities. "
---
http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/20081110_america_the_illiterate/
I don't believe this is a new problem. This is more serious now than ever.
But we keep ignoring the role of innate intelligence. Can the lowest 20% read well enough to follow complicated issues?
---
http://www.truthdig.com/report/print/20081110_america_the_illiterate/
I don't believe this is a new problem. This is more serious now than ever.
But we keep ignoring the role of innate intelligence. Can the lowest 20% read well enough to follow complicated issues?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
10,000 hours....
One hundred and eighty questions tomorrow. Students will answer as if their future depended on it.
There's a certain wildness and laziness in my last period. Oh well, they won't pass.
There's a certain wildness and laziness in my last period. Oh well, they won't pass.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Education
I knew Obama was going to win when nearly every car that passed by was honking for him!
It felt great to help out the campaign with phone calls or canvassing. I didn't do all that much, but I did what I could.
We all did what we could. Let's keep up the momentum in our classrooms, in the community, and in the country!
It felt great to help out the campaign with phone calls or canvassing. I didn't do all that much, but I did what I could.
We all did what we could. Let's keep up the momentum in our classrooms, in the community, and in the country!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
You can learn so much about a student by how they write...
Flamboyant boys often write like girls.
Disturbed students often have strange drawings.
Good students often have neat handwriting.
I'm just offering my generalizations for the future. Nothing scientific, just a teacher noting some things about handwriting.
Disturbed students often have strange drawings.
Good students often have neat handwriting.
I'm just offering my generalizations for the future. Nothing scientific, just a teacher noting some things about handwriting.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Picking out the information we all want...
This podcast with Lewis Lapham has a great line from the guest, Tony Judt. Paraphrased:
Turn off the talking points. At least let's consider the sources:
This comes from one of the biggest brains behind "The Daily Show":
- With the age of infinite information, we all can pick and choose our points. We don't have a basic "common knowledge" anymore.
- Without a common culture, we have no chance of understanding one another.
Turn off the talking points. At least let's consider the sources:
This comes from one of the biggest brains behind "The Daily Show":
- Chodikoff doesn’t use Google to turn up inconsistencies, preferring news stories on LexisNexis, and he ignores Wikipedia. Explaining why he prefers print over the Web, he cites a scene from the movie “Back to School,” when Rodney Dangerfield asks his son why he’s buying used books. “And he says, ‘Because they’re already underlined, see?’ And Rodney says, ‘But that guy could have been a maniac.’ And that’s the problem with the Internet.”
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Why is intelligence such a touchy subject?
When people begin to discuss height, they have no trouble imagining it has a genetic component. When people mention intelligence, they get very nervous.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What I learned while canvassing...
I spent some of the afternoon today canvassing for Barack Obama. From the individuals I talked to, people are sick of the direction this country is going. I mean absolutely SICK of it. They are so disillusioned, they don't even see the possibility of a Barack Obama presidency changing anything.
I tried my best to give them some hope. It's hard when you hear the despair.
It was eye-opening though and I'd like to continue to canvass. It's exciting!
---
Closer to home I made this website to help shore up support for less development in South Florida:
http://www.notoparkland.blogspot.com
---
Even though I disagree with much of the "right wing", I respect the thoughtful and involved. No one benefits when they feel they have a monopoly on truth. No one benefits from spending all day attacking people over the Internet.
Human contact is effective. Some people really seemed relieved to have someone to talk to on a Sunday afternoon. Besides, the exercise is good for you. I really encourage everyone to get out and canvass.
http://my.barackobama.com/
it's not hard to get started and it's fun!
I'm not going to even attempt bipartisanship here. If you still support McCain after this erratic campaign, eight years of Bush, and disasterous pick Palin...you've got some splainin to do in the comments.
But seriously, chances are if you are reading this that you spent too much time online today preaching to the converted. There are people who have no idea what a blog is or what RSS does. Some have never used YouTube.
So here's my online plea to get you to join me offline before this election is over. See you at the local campaign hq or on the street!
I tried my best to give them some hope. It's hard when you hear the despair.
It was eye-opening though and I'd like to continue to canvass. It's exciting!
---
Closer to home I made this website to help shore up support for less development in South Florida:
http://www.notoparkland.blogspot.com
---
Even though I disagree with much of the "right wing", I respect the thoughtful and involved. No one benefits when they feel they have a monopoly on truth. No one benefits from spending all day attacking people over the Internet.
Human contact is effective. Some people really seemed relieved to have someone to talk to on a Sunday afternoon. Besides, the exercise is good for you. I really encourage everyone to get out and canvass.
http://my.barackobama.com/
it's not hard to get started and it's fun!
I'm not going to even attempt bipartisanship here. If you still support McCain after this erratic campaign, eight years of Bush, and disasterous pick Palin...you've got some splainin to do in the comments.
But seriously, chances are if you are reading this that you spent too much time online today preaching to the converted. There are people who have no idea what a blog is or what RSS does. Some have never used YouTube.
So here's my online plea to get you to join me offline before this election is over. See you at the local campaign hq or on the street!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Why Educators Should Vote for Obama
Some of my students are fearful of the standardized test that's looming large in their future. They hold out some naive hope that Obama will remove this obstacle. I explain about "No Child Left Behind" and how education is a combination of local, state, and federal laws.
Still, I think Obama is a better choice for educators. Here's why.
First of all, Obama was a professor at one of the best law schools in the country, the University of Chicago. He appreciates the doors education can open for people. Meanwhile, John McCain graduated at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. He used his father and grandfather's influence to get by.
Obama seems to be a deep thinker. He writes his own speeches. He picked a vice presidential candidate who is rational and intelligent. He was a community organizer when he could've been making a fortune on Wall Street. Some things are more important than money.
America needs a new start after the last misreable eight years.
I'd think many scientists would agree.
Still, I think Obama is a better choice for educators. Here's why.
First of all, Obama was a professor at one of the best law schools in the country, the University of Chicago. He appreciates the doors education can open for people. Meanwhile, John McCain graduated at the bottom of his class at the Naval Academy. He used his father and grandfather's influence to get by.
Obama seems to be a deep thinker. He writes his own speeches. He picked a vice presidential candidate who is rational and intelligent. He was a community organizer when he could've been making a fortune on Wall Street. Some things are more important than money.
America needs a new start after the last misreable eight years.
I'd think many scientists would agree.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Efficiency in education
I was discussing motivation with my uncle and he was making the point that sometimes it doesn't matter WHO the teacher is because the student is going to fail. In specific instances, he's probably correct. For the most part, however, there are teachers who are more effective than other teachers.
What's the best way to showcase successful work?
I think by putting more work online would help. My fear is the loud and angry mob would jump on controversial teachers.
---
I asked the union steward at my school what the union was doing these days.
"Helping to elect Obama."
I was proud to be in the teacher's union :)
What's the best way to showcase successful work?
I think by putting more work online would help. My fear is the loud and angry mob would jump on controversial teachers.
---
I asked the union steward at my school what the union was doing these days.
"Helping to elect Obama."
I was proud to be in the teacher's union :)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Stay in the lines...
...the lines are your friend.
The truth is that childhood is getting more constrained. As this blogger says, Legos aren't buckets of blocks anymore, they are sets to put together. Programmers use pre-defined code instead of just playing.
Children are watched in school. Watched by NetNanny at home. When they get high school jobs, they are watched with cameras. Just follow the script, Johnny.
We should encourage personal growth, not just conformity. Greatness comes from breaking out of the middle-manager mindset!
The truth is that childhood is getting more constrained. As this blogger says, Legos aren't buckets of blocks anymore, they are sets to put together. Programmers use pre-defined code instead of just playing.
Children are watched in school. Watched by NetNanny at home. When they get high school jobs, they are watched with cameras. Just follow the script, Johnny.
We should encourage personal growth, not just conformity. Greatness comes from breaking out of the middle-manager mindset!
Filters in the schools
I created a website for my class using Google Pages. To my surprise, it was being blocked by the district filters! It took many days and emails to get my academic page unblocked. Such a waste of time.
But, in the end, filters in schools are needed I think. I remember in University when students would be looking at pornography in the computer labs. I was an adult so I didn't really care, but children still have some innocence. The media may try to spin it otherwise, but I see it on a daily basis. Kids are still kids. My 14 year old students talk about Spongebob quite a bit.
Students will try to use proxies and sometimes they'll succeed. The filters will adjust accordingly and it's an ongoing battle. But at least a positive side-effect of filters is that it encourages young hackers to get around filters.
Here's another point of view: http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/filter-fun/
Should filters be less restrictive? Yes. Should they be there? Yes.
But, in the end, filters in schools are needed I think. I remember in University when students would be looking at pornography in the computer labs. I was an adult so I didn't really care, but children still have some innocence. The media may try to spin it otherwise, but I see it on a daily basis. Kids are still kids. My 14 year old students talk about Spongebob quite a bit.
Students will try to use proxies and sometimes they'll succeed. The filters will adjust accordingly and it's an ongoing battle. But at least a positive side-effect of filters is that it encourages young hackers to get around filters.
Here's another point of view: http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/filter-fun/
Should filters be less restrictive? Yes. Should they be there? Yes.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
20 Minute Limit to Lecture?
If you don't know what TED is, you need to immediately click this link:
http://blog.ted.com/2008/09/teaching_on_the.php
Then go to ted.com. You can read what I have to say later.
----
I think what works best for me is a mixture of lecture and discussion. In my history class I am always asking students what they think of historical events or trying to draw out connections. With 25-30 students it's easy to draw out a discussion. The twenty minutes idea is a great selection.
----
I teach both history to teenagers and computers to adults. Am I a better history teacher or computer teacher?
To be honest, my verbal skills have always exceeded my math skills but I do have a passion for technology. I work better with adults but I have a great rapport with teenagers as well.
Overall, it's too hard to say. I have an interest in both and I wouldn't want to choose today.
http://blog.ted.com/2008/09/teaching_on_the.php
Then go to ted.com. You can read what I have to say later.
----
I think what works best for me is a mixture of lecture and discussion. In my history class I am always asking students what they think of historical events or trying to draw out connections. With 25-30 students it's easy to draw out a discussion. The twenty minutes idea is a great selection.
----
I teach both history to teenagers and computers to adults. Am I a better history teacher or computer teacher?
To be honest, my verbal skills have always exceeded my math skills but I do have a passion for technology. I work better with adults but I have a great rapport with teenagers as well.
Overall, it's too hard to say. I have an interest in both and I wouldn't want to choose today.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Smash the digital divide
"How do people speak Spanish?"
The room got silent. The fifteen year old student wasn't joking.
I responded, "How do you speak English? You learned words and how to create sentences. It's no different with other languages."
He was confused by how our brains make words. But language can seem mysterious!
It was last year that I was especially saddened when a student was shocked that a regular person could make a web site. I told him it was really simple and he could do it.
Think of the potential out there if more students were inspired to learn! Smash the digital divide.
The room got silent. The fifteen year old student wasn't joking.
I responded, "How do you speak English? You learned words and how to create sentences. It's no different with other languages."
He was confused by how our brains make words. But language can seem mysterious!
It was last year that I was especially saddened when a student was shocked that a regular person could make a web site. I told him it was really simple and he could do it.
Think of the potential out there if more students were inspired to learn! Smash the digital divide.
Will students benefit from many eye balls on their work?
I received a comment on my last post that brought up the possibility of 4chan users ruining the student's experience when professionals offer advice and even grading. My first thought was that people said the same thing about Wikipedia (and still do!) but I don't see too many pages on Wikipedia vandalized. Lots of users will help end vandalism.
Perhaps the solution would be for prospective editors to give an online interview as to their intentions? Users would have to apply for a position as a grader. As stupid as it sounds, I'm proud of my contributions to reddit and my karma. People would be proud of their contributions to this site (let's call it "Modern Pedagogy") and any trolls would be deleted.
I suppose the more eye-balls that would see the comments the less chance that any truly damaging comments could get through.
Parents may be wary of any mean comments though and I can't imagine any school system getting behind any "open source" education ideas.
30 seats, 30 desks. Take out your notebook and shut up.
Perhaps the solution would be for prospective editors to give an online interview as to their intentions? Users would have to apply for a position as a grader. As stupid as it sounds, I'm proud of my contributions to reddit and my karma. People would be proud of their contributions to this site (let's call it "Modern Pedagogy") and any trolls would be deleted.
I suppose the more eye-balls that would see the comments the less chance that any truly damaging comments could get through.
Parents may be wary of any mean comments though and I can't imagine any school system getting behind any "open source" education ideas.
30 seats, 30 desks. Take out your notebook and shut up.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Teaching and grading online
My idea is simple: why not have a Wikipedia style web site where students will upload their work and qualified professionals in various industries will give marks.
Two pros will grade each assignment. Students can be identified by id numbers to preserve anonymity.
What do you think? People can get "karma" for helping with the grading and everyone can be assured of higher standards in the schools.
Two pros will grade each assignment. Students can be identified by id numbers to preserve anonymity.
What do you think? People can get "karma" for helping with the grading and everyone can be assured of higher standards in the schools.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Alaska is a refuge state
The idiots on Facebook with the endless high school, endless football, endless stupidity are picking McCain/Palin!
You see, Palin's state Alaska will be a refuge state. Also our leaders are "sending them out on a task from God." God's plan for Iraq...God also prefers a pipeline through Alaska.
You see, Palin's state Alaska will be a refuge state. Also our leaders are "sending them out on a task from God." God's plan for Iraq...God also prefers a pipeline through Alaska.
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