Education Poll

Sara Ring created an education poll on Wikipedia.  The poll wants to find out if people believe that Wikipedia should be allowed to be used as a source.  I am torn on this poll question.  On one side, Wikipedia itself is not a credible source.  On the other side, Wikipedia sometimes give links to where the information was gathered.  In my class, students can use Wikipedia as a starting point.  Students need to check the sources to verify information.

Paper

Ben Johnson wrote a great article on paper use in the classroom.  Teachers use paper for everything and at times in become flooded with paper.  Students take notes, answer worksheets, and write papers everyday in the class room.   Johnson is sick of paper use and ponders what would school be like without a dependence on paper.  I think that technology can ease the dependence on paper.  I agree with Johnson’s idea about saving money with limiting paper usage in the classroom.  It possibly could encourage school districts to invest in technology that could cut costs of paper in the long run.

Protests

I read Eric Brunsell’s blog about the protest happening in Madison.  I agree with his post.  It is demoralizing when all you hear in the media is teachers being bashed.  Teachers have not been taking pay increase to keep their benefits.  If this continues who will actually want to become a teacher?  On another note, it makes me upset about the whole situation we are in.  Before our economic breakdown banks gave out home loans that they knew people would not be able to afford.  Foreclosures went through the roof.  No one was punished for what happened.  No changes were made.  The banks keep continuing to operate with no restrictions.  The country is in great debt.  The middle class lost a lot of money during our recession.  No we are trying to get out of this mess, and the middle class and the poor are the ones who have to clean up this mess.  It is very depressing.  

Student Centered

Betty Ray wrote a great article about student centered learning strategies.  I enjoy learning new ideas for student centered learning.  One great idea that I noticed was to give students detailed lesson plans.  Sometimes I forget to let students know what the objectives are to the lesson.  By giving students lesson plans this will help with my problem.  I do believe in student centered learning and it is important to teach.  Students who go to college need to be self motivated.  Students need to have the tools to become successful at the college level.  It is mostly taking notes and rote learning.  I try to teach students studying tools to become successful.

Student Writing

I just read an article written by Elena Aguilar.  It was about motivating students to write.  This grabbed my attention because I just assigned a writing assignment in my 7^th grade social studies class.  I am having students write the paper the old fashion way.  The paper must be one sided, written in cursive, and doubled space.  Students began complaining immediately.  I had students asking how to write certain letters in cursive.  It amazed me that all students did not know how to write in cursive.  Writing skills are becoming dilapidated in the age of technology.  I can sit back and complain about previous teachers but that will not help the problem.  So I plan to incorporate writing into class more often.  Elena’s article gives great ways to motivate students to write.

Collaborative Assessment

I just read an article written by Andrew Marcinek.  It discusses collaborative assessment in a digital age.  Andrew believes that the best way to get collaborative assessment into your school, “Is for administrators and faculty to model various types of collaboration.”  Teachers need to teach students how to use technology and web-sites in the classroom.  Once students are proficient in using technology in the class is to allow them to present of demonstrate what they have learned.  I believe that teachers need to welcome technology into the classroom.  Those teachers who do not are doing a disservice to students.  Times are changing and teachers must be flexible to keep up.

Gifted

I just read a poll by Sara Ring about labeling students gifted.  The poll asks if students should have this label.  Some districts around the country have stopped using the terms.  Calling some gifted and leaving out others is a concern.  Some believe that this creates a divide.  I believe that students should be recognized as being gifted.  I really do not see a problem with it.  I do not understand why some students self esteem should affect other students.  Not using the word does not do anything useful, we should worry about more important things like teaching students curriculum.  I think that students at times can be over protected at times.  Students should be taught about dealing with issues that cannot be controlled.