teachers

Teacher gives epic resignation in video [Stansbury]

On 05/30/2013, in assessment, education reform, K-12 related, teachers, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

Teacher gives epic resignation in video — from eSchoolNews.com by Meris Stansbury
“Everything I love about teaching is now extinct.”

From DSC :
After listening to this, I can’t help but reflect on the run-away train/emphasis on standardized tests. It appears that not only has such an emphasis robbed the joy, curiosity, wonder, initiative, and creativity of our students, but also that of our teachers.

With each day that passes, I want to see more programs and opportunities that support an amazing variety of pathways and choices. We each have different gifts, abilities, passions, callings, etc. — teachers as well as students. The very words “standards” and “standardization” seem to be incongruous with how we are actually made.

.
Perhaps I should have called this posting, “Assessment gone awry…?”

Tagged with: assessment • K-12 • teachers • teaching & learning

Also, from Steve Wheeler’s Are you a meerkat or an ostrich?

Etienne Wenger recently declared: ‘If any institutions are going to help learners with the real challenges they face…(they) will have to shift their focus from imparting curriculum to supporting the negotiation of productive identities through landscapes of practice’ (Wenger, 2010).

We live in uncertain times, where we cannot be sure how the economy is going to perform today, let alone predict what kind of jobs there will be for students when they graduate in a few years time. How can we prepare students for a world of work that doesn’t yet exist? How can we help learners to ready themselves for employment that is shifting like the sand, and where many of the jobs they will be applying for when they leave university probably don’t exist yet? It’s a conundrum many faculty and lecturers are wrestling with, and one which many others are ignoring in the hope that the problem will simply go away. Whether we are meerkats, looking out and anticipating the challenges, or ostriches burying our heads in the sand, the challenge remains, and it is growing stronger.

Also see:

The Nature of the Future: The Socialstructed World — from nextberlin.eu by Marina Gorbis, Institute for the Future
Marina Gorbis, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future (iftf.org) discussed the evolution of communication and its consequences at NEXT13. She analyzed the perks and challenges of the new relationship-driven or “socialstructed” economy, stating that “humans and technology will team up”. Her new book ‘The Nature of the Future: Dispatches from the Socialstructed World’ was published in early 2013. Watch her inspiring talk on April 23, 2013 at NEXT13.

From DSC:
My best take on this at this point:

Give students more choice, more control of their learning
Help them discover their gifts, abilities, talents, passions
Help them develop their gifts, abilities, talents, passions
Provide content in as many ways as possible — and let the students work with what they prefer to work with
Implement story, emotion, creativity, and play as much as possible (providing plenty of chances for them to create what they want to create)
Utilize cross-disciplinary assignments and teams
Integrate real-world assignments/projects into the mix
Help them develop their own businesses while they are still in school — coach them along, provide mentors, relevant blogs/websites, etc.
Guide them as they create/develop their own “textbooks” and/or streams of content

Tagged with: adjunct faculty • change • curriculum • customized learning • dangers of the status quo • Daniel S. Christian • education reform • engaging students • future • future of higher education • hearts -- matters of the heart • higher education • homeschooling/homeschoolers • K-12 • Keeping students engaged • learning ecosystem • more choice more control • motivation • passions • personalized learning • real-world assignments • reinvent • staying relevant • student-related • teachers • teaching & learning

How to thank a teacher [edutopia.org]

On 05/02/2013, in hearts -- matters of the heart, relationships, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Tagged with: hearts -- matters of the heart • parents / guardians • relationships • teachers

With RESPECT, Educators Lead the Transformation of the Teaching Profession [U.S. Dept of Ed]

On 04/26/2013, in education reform, K-12 related, legislatures / government / legal, teachers, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

U.S. Department of Education Releases Blueprint to Elevate and Transform the Teaching Profession, Calls Educators to Action

Excerpt:

[On 4/25/13] the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released the Obama Administration’s blueprint for elevating and transforming the teaching profession, also known as the Blueprint for RESPECT (Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence, and Collaborative Teaching).

RESPECT was first launched in February of 2012 as a national conversation on the teaching profession, shortly after the President committed to support the development of a new, comprehensive teacher policy in his state of the union address.

Since then, the Department has engaged more than 5,700 educators nationwide to develop and refine a vision of teaching and leading that will help both teachers and students to meet the new, 21st century demands being placed on them.

With RESPECT, Educators Lead the Transformation of the Teaching Profession

Recognizing Educational Success, Professional Excellence, and Collaborative Teaching (RESPECT)
An Educator-led Movement

Excerpt:

RESPECT represents a movement within the education profession to elevate and transform teaching and leading so that all of our students are prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century. As the demands of our world continue to expand, our students need educators who are well prepared, compensated, and treated as professionals.

Tagged with: education reform • K-12 • teachers • teaching & learning

Tagged with: teachers

Infographic: Learning Analytics 101, how data could change everything [OpenColleges]

On 03/15/2013, in analytics, data related items, teachers, visualizing information, by Daniel Christian

Infographic: Learning Analytics 101, how data could change everything — from wiredacademic.com and Open Colleges

Also see:

Grades 2.0: How learning analytics are changing the teacher’s role — from edudemic.com by Andrianes Pinantoan

Tagged with: analytics • data mining • roles • teachers • visualizing information

VIDEO | The Educational Landscape in 50 Years [The Khan Academy]

On 03/14/2013, in creativity, education, education reform, education technology, emerging technologies, engagement / engaging students, future, K-12 related, more voice more choice more control, participation, real-world assignments, strategy, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

VIDEO | The Educational Landscape in 50 Years — from the evoLLLution.com by The Khan Academy

Excerpt:

In this video, Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, a not-for-profit online education provider, shares his thoughts on what the educational landscape will look like in 50 years. By 2060, Khan predicts three major shifts in education: a change to the classroom model, a change to the credential model and a change in the role of the instructor.

Tagged with: creativity • education • education reform • educational technology • engagement • future • K-12 • more choice more control • participation • real-world assignments • roles • student-related • teachers

Tagged with: blogging • K-12 • teachers • writing

A warning to college profs from a high school teacher [Bernstein]

On 02/12/2013, in assessment, education reform, K-12 related, legislatures / government / legal, love of learning, teachers, by Daniel Christian

A warning to college profs from a high school teacher — from washingtonpost.com by Kenneth Bernstein
For more than a decade now we have heard that the high-stakes testing obsession in K-12 education that began with the enactment of No Child Left Behind 11 years ago has resulted in high school graduates who don’t think as analytically or as broadly as they should because so much emphasis has been placed on passing standardized tests. Here, an award-winning high school teacher who just retired, Kenneth Bernstein, warns college professors what they are up against. Bernstein, who lives near Washington, D.C. serves as a peer reviewer for educational journals and publishers, and he is nationally known as the blogger “teacherken.” This appeared in Academe, the journal of the American Association of University Professors.

Excerpt:

Where do I begin? I spent the last thirty minutes listening to a group of arrogant and condescending noneducators disrespect my colleagues and profession. I listened to a group of disingenuous people whose own self-interests guide their policies rather than the interests of children. I listened to a cabal of people who sit on national education committees that will have a profound impact on classroom teaching practices. And I heard nothing of value. “I’m thinking about the current health-care debate,” I said. “And I am wondering if I will be asked to sit on a national committee charged with the task of creating a core curriculum of medical procedures to be used in hospital emergency rooms.”

The strange little man cocks his head and, suddenly, the fly on the wall has everyone’s attention.

“I realize that most people would think I am unqualified to sit on such a committee because I am not a doctor, I have never worked in an emergency room, and I have never treated a single patient. So what? Today I have listened to people who are not teachers, have never worked in a classroom, and have never taught a single student tell me how to teach.”

From DSC:
I remember one of my first coaches saying, “always change a losing game. Never change a winning game.” Standardized tests = a losing game.

Tagged with: assessment • education reform • K-12 • legislation • love of learning • teachers

The Lesson of Grace in Teaching — by Francis Su

On 01/22/2013, in adjunct faculty, faith, hearts -- matters of the heart, mathematics, teaching & learning, teaching online, by Daniel Christian

Per Jim Bradley (Mathematics, Emeritus) at Calvin College:

Francis Su is a Christian teaching at Harvey Mudd, a secular liberal arts college. He was recently selected to receive the Haimo Award*, one of the mathematics community’s highest teaching honors. Receiving the award entails giving an address at the annual math association meeting, going on now in San Diego. In writing his talk, Francis asked himself, “What does the gospel have to say to this large, mostly secular group of mathematicians?” He answered, “Grace.” Here’s a link to a written copy of his talk. I think it’s quite an inspiring and enjoyable set of reflections on teaching by an obviously great teacher.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/francis-su/the-lesson-of-grace-in-teaching/10151372450043217
(From DSC: Facebook deleted the above original posting by Franic Su — not sure why)

Per Francis’ new blog:
After giving this talk, I had so many requests for the text that I
shared it on Facebook. But Facebook deleted it.
So I created a blog just for this. I hope you find it helpful.

It was the hardest thing I ever had to write:
because it is deeply personal, truly me,
and about my biggest life lesson… given at a
conference in front of hundreds of people who,
I’m sure, struggle with the same things that I do.

The Lesson of Grace in Teaching
From weakness to wholeness, the struggle and the hope
Francis Edward Su
MAA Haimo Teaching Award Lecture
Joint Math Meetings, January 11, 2013
An audio file is available: bit.ly/W4gyD0.

Excerpt:

Knowing my new advisor had grace for me meant that he could give me honest feedback on my dissertation work, even if it was hard to do, without completely destroying my identity. Because, as I was learning, my worthiness does NOT come from my accomplishments. I call this

The Lesson of GRACE:

Your accomplishments are NOT what make you a worthy human being.
You learn this lesson when someone shows you GRACE: good things you didn’t earn or deserve, but you’re getting them anyway.

I have to learn this lesson over and over again.
You can have worthiness apart from your performance.
You can have dignity independent of achievements.
Your identity does not have to be rooted in accomplishments.
You can be loved for who you are, not for what you’ve done—somebody just has to show you grace.

From DSC:
Powerful messages…often times, it’s hard for me to get my arms around the lessons/messages that Francis addressed — especially seeing as we live in a world that constantly measures us by our performance, our achievements, and/or our productivity.

* From The Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics web page:

In 1991, the Mathematical Association of America instituted Awards for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics in order to honor college or university teachers who have been widely recognized as extraordinarily successful and whose teaching effectiveness has been shown to have had influence beyond their own institutions. In 1993, the MAA Board of Governors renamed the award to honor Deborah and Franklin Tepper Haimo.

List of Recipients

2013
Matthias Beck, San Francisco State University
Margaret Robinson, Mount Holyoke College
Francis Edward Su, Harvey Mudd College

Tagged with: adjunct faculty • faculty • faith • hearts -- matters of the heart • math • teachers • teaching & learning • teaching online

Projections of education statistics to 2021 40th edition [nces.ed.gov]

On 01/10/2013, in career development, future, K-12 related, student teaching/teacher education, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Projections of education statistics to 2021 40th edition — from nces.ed.gov

Tagged with: career development • future • student teaching/teacher education • teachers

What an amazing person and teacher! [New York Times article & video about Jeffrey Wright]

On 12/31/2012, in engagement / engaging students, faith, hearts -- matters of the heart, neurodivergent/special needs, physics, relationships, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Article:

Video:

Mr. Wright said he decided to share his son’s story when his physics lessons led students to start asking him “the big questions.”

“When you start talking about physics, you start to wonder, ‘What is the purpose of it all?’ ” he said in an interview. “Kids started coming to me and asking me those ultimate questions. I wanted them to look at their life in a little different way — as opposed to just through the laws of physics — and give themselves more purpose in life.”

From DSC:
My thanks go out to Mr. Joseph Byerwalter for this very powerful piece…

Tagged with: engagement • faith • hearts -- matters of the heart • physics • relationships • society • sociology • special needs • teachers

Opinion: Sandy Hook shows teachers’ enduring values [Bosso]

On 12/18/2012, in education, ethics, hearts -- matters of the heart, K-12 related, leadership, relationships, society, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Opinion: Sandy Hook shows teachers’ enduring values — from courant.com by David Bosso

Excerpt:

To so many, the educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School demonstrate that the core values of education mirror the greatest ideals of humanity, and they are exemplars in this regard. They offer us hope, and reinforce our belief in the goodness of others and the power of education. In an era of accountability, standards, testing and data, they affirm that what ultimately matters most are the immeasurable lessons and the enduring relationships teachers cultivate with their students.

To the educators of Sandy Hook Elementary School, thank you for the powerful, inspiring example of dedication and compassion you have given us. You have made, and continue to make, a difference to so many. In the midst of this unfathomable loss and profound sorrow, you have buoyed our spirits and given us hope. Because of your passion, courage, sacrifice, and devotion, I am once again reassured to proudly declare to educators everywhere: Never again say, “I am just a teacher.”

— I originally saw this on twitter as posted by
Sarah Brown Wessling (@SarahWessling)

Tagged with: education • ethics • hearts -- matters of the heart • K-12 • leadership • relationships • teachers

The 7 habits of highly effective teachers who use technology [Always Prepped]

On 12/07/2012, in education technology, teachers, teaching & learning, by Daniel Christian

The 7 habits of highly effective teachers who use technology –from the Always Prepped blog

Excerpt:

We’ve all heard about Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Some teachers out there may have heard of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers. Below are our 7 habits of highly effective teachers who use technology:

Tagged with: educational technology • teachers • teaching & learning

Today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities for the teaching profession [fcl.eun.org]

On 11/30/2012, in Europe, future, informal learning, learning agents, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Also see:

Tellnet.eun.org — Teachers’ Lifelong Learning Network

From DSC:
What caught my eye here was the use of scenarios and using those scenarios to help define/create/plan for our future.

Tagged with: Europe • future • informal learning • Learning Agents • personal learning networks (PLNs) • teachers

Previous Entries

Learning Ecosystems

How to thank a teacher [edutopia.org]

The Lesson of Grace in Teaching — by Francis Su

What an amazing person and teacher! [New York Times article & video about Jeffrey Wright]

The 7 habits of highly effective teachers who use technology [Always Prepped]

Today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities for the teaching profession [fcl.eun.org]

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