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Title: Direct Instructional Model, Wednesday, Octobe 3, 2007

Excerpt:

I was trained to write lesson plans using the Madeline Hunter format. I have been recently informed I will be observed using this criteria. This worries me, because I do not use direct instruction in my classrooms.
I believe that knowledge is best constructed by the learner. Learners in our classrooms are not empty vessels for us to fill with knowledge. Yet whether I daily spell out objectives and formative assessments appear to mean more than whether students are capable at 21st century skills. I guess I will fail this too. I failed kindergarten - no, really I did!
What is important then and should there be a formalised, generalised, lesson plan format that we all must follow? I am much to chaotic to go for that. Our brains are too. Our brains are like jungles.....how could the best Hunter lesson plan impose order on that, let alone engage any brain? Kids power down to attend school as it is....
I may be knocking on your door looking for a hand out soon....

Response:

I do not know much about the Madeline Hunter format, but I don't see how any teaching model could possibly be applied to every classroom. You are right when you say that students are not empty vessels just awaiting you to pour knowledge into their heads. Most students are naturally curious and actually want to learn, if the subject material is relatable to them. That is where the teacher comes in. It is the teacher's job to make the subject relatable to the student and to give the student opportunities to explore and to learn on their own. Every student and every class is different and it would be impossible to teach them all the same, and not to mention that direct instruction is usually not the best teaching method. It seems to me that too much focus is put onto achievement exam scores these days and not enough on the actual student as an individual.

(awaiting approval of blog response) 

Title: Say YES to Mobile Computing, Friday, September 28, 2007

Excerpt:

Response: 

Cell phones were permitted in my high school too, but only if they remained turned off. Just as you said, there was a lot of hiding of cell phones and secret text messaging that went on. With such a large number of students possessing cell phones (almost everyone), it would be great if we could embed more cell phone technology into the classroom. I just learned how to do a podcast with my cell phone the other day and it was so easy once I got the hang of it. I wish I had learned how to do it so much earlier! Podcasts are a great way of using audio technology and could be used in classrooms in a variety of ways. For example, as a future Spanish teacher, I could have my students record themselves speaking Spanish onto a podcast, and then other students could access the podcast and do a peer review, or parents could listen to the podcast to see how their child is doing. It seems a shame that we do not take advantage of cell phone technology.

Title: Creating Learning Experiences

URL: http://www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/2007/08/16/creating-learning-experiences/#comments

Excerpt:

Response:

I really enjoyed reading this post, the poems were great and I think that it is wonderful that the students were able to get so involved in their topics that they were willing to share such personal poetry. I agree that, as you mentioned, allowing the students to choose their own topics gave them the freedom to find something that really interested them, something they felt was worthwhile in which to invest their time and effort. I wonder if, when assigning research projects, besides having students turn in the typical research paper, would it be beneficial to also require some other type of non-traditional project that demonstrates what they have learned?  Such as the poetry your students submitted. Or should those types of contributions be allowed to just develop on their own? Would making a requirement like that just be one more thing that the student feels they Have to do, and would it stifle learning? Or would it get the student to start thinking out of the box and actually encourage learning? Either way, I hope that when I become a teacher, I can create the same atmosphere that you have been able to accomplish in your classroom, because it is obvious from the contributions of your students, that they are actually enjoying learning.

Title: Installing a Backchannel in My Classroom this Week

URL: http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/

Excerpt:

So, this week, during a test review on Thursday, I unveiled the backchannel in the room using Meebo's virtual room feature. Here is what I observed:

My Response:

Title: Monday, August 27, 2007 Our new project- Being Green

URL: http://wedderburn-college.blogspot.com/

Excerpt:

    This week we are beginning a really exciting new project with a school in Andale Kansas. The opportunity arose through some funding that I received through the Knowledge Bank. My idea was to create a connection with a school overseas and to develop a problem based project that used the Intel online Thinking with Technology tools So I approached a fellow Intel Senior trainer, Dyane who is a curriculum consultant in Andale. After about three months of planning we have finally started with our Year 8 students here and Year 7 students at Andale.

My Response:

I really love the idea of students from different countries collaborating on a project. As a future Spanish Education teacher in particular, this idea opens up so many doors. How wonderful would it be if I could have my future students work together with Spanish-speaking students from across the world? I want to teach my students not only to speak fluently, but also to be open to new ideas, new cultures, and new ways of thinking. In the past, this could usually only be achieved by sending students to study abroad, a costly experience that is often not practical at the high school level. However, if I could enable my students to interact with other Spanish students from across the world via new computer technology, my students would be able to get a similar experience without ever leaving their desks. I am not what I would call technologically savvy (this is my first blog ever!) however, I am very excited now to start learning about new applications such as wikis and skype that I can use in my classroom to enrich the learning experience of my students.