What are your beliefs about how people learn best?
I think everyone learns differently...I know I am a non-traditional learner and I have been trained by great schools to force myself to learn in the way that schools are structured. I teach students that learn like me and it is very interesting to see the difference that they experience for that one hour of the day...they are the most successful in the class. I very often have to chastise students for thinking in my classroom, where in another room that skill would be praised. I think schools are trying to move into a direction that allows them to educate children the way that they learn best using methods like differentiation. This system is very flawed though because somewhere we have forgotten that students learn the way they learn best for the rest of their lives...not just K-12. I do not see the same changes in higher education...students who are successful in schools that accommodate for them, fail later in college because conformity becomes the norm again. I love to organize Professional Development because when I don't we sit in chairs for 8 hours and listen to lectures. If it doesn't work for every kid in our class, which we all know, why would it work for a room full of adults...the fact that the concept does not transfer and grow with us is a problem. I am a huge fan of Sir Ken Robinson and I really enjoy his theory of educating the "whole" child and not just their head...watch this for more...http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html
I educate a student's mind and body and that is very evident in the work that I do. The sad thing is that I am on the chopping block and there are so many kids that will no longer be receiving that education.
What is the purpose of learning theory in educational technology?
Theory is incredibly important to teaching but most of the ways that we present education are inherent. Teachers need to understand the structure behind what they do because they can use it to enhance their process. Now that educational technology is being integrated into our classrooms, it is important that teachers have a strong theory background that they can pull from in order effectively use technology to facilitate learning. I can see it from two angles...either the teacher that starts with theory and builds technology into it or the teacher that starts with the technology and works backwards to institute the theory to ground it.
Kat,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your comment. In secondary education, we have to abide by state and federal laws, meet the needs of IEPs and have the pressure of parents. In higher ed, there is no such thing. Students who become acclimated to accommodation, fail in higher education because they don't learn the skills to learn and demonstrate knowledge.
I teach special education and it is extremely frustrating to have to accommodate these students now only to know that they are going to struggle in the future and have no clue of what their future holds.
Technology has always been integrated into classrooms. The technology has changed. It used to be books, paper, and pencils. Then there were those filmstrips (ugh!), dittos (purple hands), and calculators. Now there are cellphones, interactive whiteboards, and laptops. The technology changes as the culture changes, but the latest and greatest has always been integrated into the wealthier schools.
ReplyDeleteI met Sir Ken last year at PETE-C -> Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference. He is full of creative ideas!
I am so jealous that you met Sir Ken...he is my education idol. I am re-reading one of his books right now, The Element. He is an incredible force in educational reform, especially on the creativity front.
ReplyDeleteI commented on:
ReplyDeleteLisa's Blog:
http://durffsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/is-that-your-final-answer-educ-8845.html
and Richard's Blog:
http://walden7105.blogspot.com/
Richard,
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think can be done at the higher education level to alleviate this issue...
It really bothers me because we force kids to go to college, only to be unsuccessful and because these colleges are teaching the way to help kids be successful to future teachers but what are they doing for their students?
When you mentioned that if you are chopped students will no longer be receiving that education, I feel you might be selling yourself short. In offering the PD opportunities you did, you created a ripple effect. I prefer to imagine that you, as a teacher leader, did impact others even if not immediately apparent. You planted seeds that are growing in the minds of others and will resonate your impact over time. Maybe your insights are now needed to build realizations in other's worlds.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
~Laurie Korte
Kat,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the answer is because the pressure comes from the government and parents and teachers are left to deal with the laws and results.
I truly think that we need to keep public education as a standard program and if there are special needs than a special needs school should be where the students go. I feel our public school system has been diluted with trying to keep everyone together. I understand that everyone has the right to an education, but when the large majority of middle of the road students are not being challenged because of the teachers ability to offer challenging lessons, the bar just gets lowered to accomodate all.
I wish that the teachers and people who work directly with the students could have more power to dictate what the student gets as far as education. but as long as we are working backwards from politics and pushy parents, we will continually fall behind the curve.
I wish i had a better answer.
Rich