Comments for Thinking About Learning

Comment on New Design for Learning by Gwinnett County private schools

Gwinnett County private schools — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:42:15 +0000

Everything in the post “feels” really good. However, I’ve learned to immediately take notice of every time my feelings start welling up. Why? Because, in many cases I’ve seen emotions cast a large, dark shadow over logic and facts. The fact is over the last 20-30 years education has been struck by so many crises, it is virtually impossible to find the source. Bloated administration to teacher ratios, lower teacher wages, standards testing controversies, minority learning pressures, etc.

We have enough knowledge, facts and statistics to determine exactly how to teach. Educators also need to take an objective, non-emotional look at what they’ve been doing…in many cases, teachers have gone way to far, in my opinion, in education to turn authority over to children, who have no business calling the shots. Some of the problem is our society has adopted the “parents (now teachers) as friends” mentality. In that process, we’ve wasted much time in trying to figure out and implement less effective ways of teaching, in order to appease students’ desire for control and individualism. We’ve also allowed too much nonsense and disrespect in the classroom, disguised as “personal expression.” So, if teachers need a little extra psychology training, great. But, teachers should not/cannot undo teaching standards on behalf of a few “unique” students, and expect the process not to be affected. Especially with high student:teacher ratios.

This is exactly why private schools continually (generally speaking) outperform public schools. They set classroom standards and stricly abide by them. The parents that agree with the school’s policies will back up the teacher. Those that don’t find another school. It eliminates disharmony in the classroom and minimizes bahavioral issues.

Kids need to be taught. Yes, there are factors that drive new curriculum, such as technology, but if teachers don’t spend most of their time teaching, setting expectations of achievement and holding students accountable to meet them, then what happens when those kids enter the mostly authoritarian workplace?

Comment on Technology Survey: Fall 2009 by medwards61

medwards61 — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:45:37 +0000

You are correct that PowerTeacher has been time consuming so far this year. However, this should get better soon. It looks like you have a good bit of useful survey information that will help you work more effectively with your teachers this year. Keep up the good work.

Comment on Exploring Student Blog Options by Michelle TG

Michelle TG — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:28:17 +0000

I used 21 classes last year, but gave it up when I received absolutley NO customer support, even though I had opted for the PAID account. Tried sending several emails and then noticed this summer that they even removed the email address from their support page. Had to get in touch with the company that processed the credit card payment to stop payment on that account.

What 21classes has to offer is wonderful, but don’t figure on any customer support. Please DO let me know if you hear of any improvements made as I would love to switch back, but not unless they are willing to answer my questions (especially with a PAID account).

Comment on New Design for Learning by CI 335 section M (AHC) » Blog Archive » Finding a New Design for Learning?

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:18:14 +0000

[...] I recently read a post by another blog, Thinking About Learning. The post is located here. [...]

Comment on New Design for Learning by Kole

Kole — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:26:32 +0000

I like what you have said about student centered learning, and how teacher’s are becoming facilitators of learning. This concept is something I wished would have been present in my high school years! The kind of learning where a teacher slaps down a problem on a projector and tells you to go is not learning. It is memory. Actually giving the student more freedom to become self-directed is much more applicable to the “real world.” Is is learning facilitation like this that will help build the future of America.

Comment on New Design for Learning by John Geanangel

John Geanangel — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:14:21 +0000

Well said Freida, Well Said!!

Comment on New Design for Learning by Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:20:10 +0000

I think you make some excellent observations that will help your teachers. Maybe Cathy is right that cheap netbooks will make it possible for every student to have a device and allow us to simply focus on appropriate learning. I am afraid it will have to be in the “next” 5-year plan though. I think the shift to student centered learning will come, but not so easily. We have already started the sharing process with our district Teacher Resource Center and PLC emphasis; I believe this will help us speak a common language to begin the preparation. However, the ability to make the final transition will require a flow of ideas and resources that is easy and seamless. Currently there is no vehicle capable of this type of transfer anywhere. I firmly believe this movement will require new methods of assessment to provide the differentiation that project based learning promises. So little steps may be all that is possible with this 5-year plan. But it is still a step in the right direction.

Comment on New Design for Learning by Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:41:39 +0000

I would also look at some of Phil Schlecty’s material. While it is not necessarily technology focused, it is learner focused and will provide a nice framework to hang all the rest on. His mantra is that students need to be engaged. I’m disappointed in the funding that is going in to 5:1 when suddenly there is a way to provide 1:1 with netbooks for practically the same cost. My tech person and I discussed the netbooks and how they are almost now “disposable.” My prediction is that in 5 years textbooks will totally go away and be replaced by netbooks, and my tech person says his job will become a total nightmare then. Once netbooks are widely available 1:1, then and only then will the edtech world really be able to focus on things like project-based learning, global classrooms, and engaged learning. But it will be nice to once again see “5-year plans” used in the context of learning and not just technology and hardware.

Comment on Upstate Technology Conference 2009 by Quran Tutor

Quran Tutor — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:58:58 +0000

Same words from me as “Kim Williams” said

Comment on Leadership Planning by Kate

Kate — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:30:01 +0000

Online collaboration is not only an excellent method of instruction and a great portal for collaborative learning, but it can also be integral for cutting down on excessive paper use in the classroom. I recommend you check out Office Live Workspace for a cloud computing classroom tool. It offers you the ability to create, save, access, and share documents and files online for free. There is even a plug-in for MS Office that lets you save your files to your online Workspace directly from whichever Office program you are using. A great solution all around!

Cheers,
Kate
MSFT Office Live Outreach
http://www.workspace.officelive.com
http://www.facebook.com/officelivestudent