Did you Know?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1JyLYphevc
This brief youtube video is packed with information on how the state of Iowa is existing in a media enabled world, yet is struggling to keep its education system afloat. In the recent past, Iowa's education systems was focusing on low-level mental work, rather than teaching critical thinking skills. Now this is finally beginning to change.
Dr. McLeod, the creator of the intriguing video posted this question to his blog, http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2007/05/well_whats_your.html. "Are we doing what is best for our students, or are we doing what is most convenient for us?". I read the comments to his thought-provoking question before thinking about it myself. I found that I agreed with several comments. I have seen numerous examples where teachers pass out worksheets, and read word for word from texts books provided by the school. This is convenient for teachers, yet horribly boring and unchallenging for students. I think that teachers need to continually think outside the traditional schooling box, and transform their students into critical thinkers. I think stepping away from worksheets and focusing on problem solving, and hands-on technological activities, followed by class discussions will help transform out students to excel in our technologically changing world.
Check out some ideas for easily incorporating technology into your own classroom.
50 ways to incoporate technology into your classroom.
Lisa said, "I have seen numerous examples where teachers pass out worksheets, and read word for word from texts books provided by the school."
ReplyDeleteI agree that worksheets and textbooks are unchallenging and boring. I literally could watch my students fall asleep when they read their textbooks! I still use some textbooks in my classroom because they have some stories that are worth reading. Also, at the middle school level, I feel that they need some practice with using these materials. Personally, I would like to get rid of textbooks altogether and move towards differentiated and interactive learning. How nice would that be!
I'm curious to know what you think, should teachers use a mixture of textbooks, worksheets, and an interactive curriculum? Or should they ban textbooks and worksheets?
Allyson
Hi Allyson, Thanks for your post. When we were doing our internships at Casselberry ES my students were also falling asleep while reading the textbook. They never followed along while their peers read, and because of this they were unable to participate in discussions about the books. The folllow-up worksheets were torturous to boot.
DeleteSo I got permission to stop using the textbook and focus on class novels to teach reading. The students were much more engaged in the novels for whatever reason. I think it made them feel more mature since it was 3rd grade and these were some of their first "big books". We then made reading response journals, which the students responded better to than worksheets. The students could draw pictures and had more choice in what they were reflecting on.
When it comes to math, I do think sticking to the textbook is beneficial to covering all of the curriculum. But there is always room for additional materials. Like reading a picture book that involves mathematics, and definitely using manipulatives. Textbooks can be a teachers best friend at times, or their worst enemy. I think teachers should always observe each class individually before sticking to the same lessons year after year. Some classes may respond better to certain materials than others.
-Lisa Costello
Lisa said, "I have seen numerous examples where teachers pass out worksheets, and read word for word from texts books provided by the school. This is convenient for teachers, yet horribly boring and unchallenging for students."
ReplyDeleteI wanted to ask if it ever crossed your mind if there were reasons why teachers stick to these "old-school" methods? I mentioned in my post that not every teacher has the benefit of having a SmartBoard in their classroom let a lone a computer. I believe it is because of school funding. If a school can't afford to provide certain interactive materials, what is left for the teacher to do than to use those former methods?
Lisa said, "I think stepping away from worksheets and focusing on problem solving, and hands-on technological activities, followed by class discussions will help transform out students to excel in our technologically changing world."
This is a great idea, and I agree with you. Unfortunately, not every school is on the same page and can only do to what they're limited.
I guess I'm just trying to play defense a little for the teachers that haven't been able to update themselves with our current technology. I have seen some teachers who don't use any technology at all and still succeed in motivating their students. It really comes down to how you use what you already have to ensure student success.
Hi Andrew, thanks for you post. You you mentioned that some teachers may be limited to their out-of-date materials, like textbooks and worksheets. I understand their situations. Unfortunately many schools lack funding to update the technology in their classrooms. I do feel that this is were a teacher's creativity comes into play. Most teachers that I know, including myself are very creative people. There are numerous activities that can be incorporated into the classroom that eliminate simply using worksheets and textbooks.
DeleteA few examples are, using artifact bags to teach social studies. here is a link to an example http://hwal7890.blogspot.com/2011/10/artifact-bag.html. You can also do readers theaters for social studies, language arts, and reading lessons. Here is a link to readers theater scripts,http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/RTE.html. Another creative way to steer away from worksheets are performing hands-on science and math experiments.
If teachers aren't comfortable making up their own materials, there is a boundless amount of resources available to them, many for free online. Pinterest has a whole section on education ideas; I know this site isn't very professional, but i've found ideas my students adored from Pinterest. I hope these few ideas give you a better idea on how teachers without Smart Boards and other supplied materials can change-up their lessons.
-Lisa Costello
Lisa said: "I have seen numerous examples where teachers pass out worksheets, and read word for word from texts books provided by the school. This is convenient for teachers, yet horribly boring and unchallenging for students."
ReplyDeleteI too have seen this in different classrooms. Just watching it being done was unmotivating for me as an observer, so I could only imagine how the students were feeling. When I questioned teachers about other materials or use of Smart Boards, they're response was "look around". They had computers in the classroom that were slow or didn't work, slow printers, and a laptop from the 90s. That's if they weren't using their own personal laptop. Other teachers would say, they were told to teach what's in the book so the students will be prepared for the end of year exams. I've been into technology for so many years that I could not see myself reverting to those old school methods. My thought process makes me assume that the school system would adapt to the changes and find a way to get updated technology into the classroom. If it's so important for the students to pass, then why not implement some beneficial changes to make it easier for the students and teachers.
Hi Meika,
DeleteThank you for your post. You bring up excellent points. Im glad to see that you agree with moving forward in education to enhance technology usage in classrooms. It will help our students in the long-run, as well as make school engaging.
-Lisa
This will be my second attempt trying to reply, the first one disappeared when I clicked Publish! So here it goes...
ReplyDeleteYou said, "I think that teachers need to continually think outside the traditional schooling box, and transform their students into critical thinkers," and I think you are absolutely correct. We need to teach our students how to problem solve and think critically and rationally and forgo the rote memorization and heavy reliance on textbooks, lectures and worksheets as the main method of teaching our young students.
Hi Christi,
DeleteThank you for posting to my blog, and sorry for your troubles. Do you have any ideas on how teachers could stray away from textbooks, and use more up-date methods?
-Lisa