"Students need to Power up not Power Down"
The end of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck
Ron Clark. The Ron Clark Academy
GaPSC: Standards 6: Element 6.1
(1hour)
Students singing, jumping on tables, and cheering each other on now that was a great start. What comes next? Ron Clark jumping on the tables as well. He begins with a story about how he got into teaching. It all started by his mother threatening to cut him off. So he went to a school that lost their teacher. The class he would be taking over would be some teachers nightmare. Special Ed children. He went to that school with the intention of not wanting the job and just to please his mother when one of the students looked up and ask if he was going to be the teacher. That is all that it took for him to change his mind.
That class was the same as most class. Read a book, do some worksheet all in the allotted time. Boring. He began with believing that he had to bring some passion into the classroom but how? Well he decided to dress up as one of the characters. He was received with not so happy faces or comments. Trying to think outside the box and going at it alone.
This didn't stop him. He did it anyways. The kids were engaged. He made it a point to find a way to fire up his students. Give the students the opportunity to feel passionate about learning.
Ron does say he doesn't expect every teacher to jump on desk, dance, or sing. He wants for teachers to find a way to inspire the students to bring in passion. Teachers set the tone. Have high expectation for all students. Teach to the highest level student in your class. The rest will follow. Don't change your high expectation find ways the encourage your students to reach it. If you set these higher expectations, you will receive greater results. Set the tone about time urgency. Have the classroom ready to go teach like their is someone to teach too. Time is important. Have the students understand the urgency of time and that they don't need to wait till the bell rings. Warm-ups should be done in the transition period not when the bell rings. Teach the students to respect and to help each other out. teach them to work together but the teachers need to model this as well.
The three main things:
1. High Expectation (No Excuses)
2. Passion
3. Manners and Respect
Be different and go for it.
Collaboration Fluency: Creating a Learning Environment for the Digital Age Classroom
NETST 2, 3
GaPSC Standard 6 Element 6.1
Need to think about the long term for the students. Students need the future skills. There are critical skills such as problem solving and creativity both non-digital and digital. The teachers need to have ways in which the students are thinking analytically and collaboration. The world is becoming smaller and there are is more communication in multiple media form. This also calls for more teaching of ethics and accountability in using the technology. They need to become Global Digital Citizen.
Podcasting and Mobile Media for Teaching and Learning
NETST 1-5 (1hour)
GaPSC Standard 6 Element 6.2
There was a pole taken asking parents at school about technology. 67% of parents would buy a mobile device if they would be allowed to use in class. Most students have the technology. Some schools still deny the use of them. It would not be a problem if teachers would spend time on teaching there students about ethics. If students would be able to bring their technology then schools would not have to worry about supplying it right away. The students can be getting the skills that are needed for their future without having to wait for school to have the technology (it is expensive).
Podcasting is a technology that most schools can use with minimal technology and it can still be very effective. I have used very infrequently. I just recently took a class for the reading endorsement and found a new way to use podcasting. I am eager and ready to implement it. this year. I'll be using podcasting to create a science reading theater. The students will be posting them on the website and parents can have access to them.
Project-Based Learning Hand
NETST 1, 2
GaPSC Standard 3 Element 3.6
"Hand-helds can play a significant role in project-based learning. See how the iPod touch and iPad can be used for planning" Tony Vincent
The latest technology at hand is in your hand. iPods, MP3 players, Game handhelds, and Tablets such as the iPa are flooding the market. they are making their way into the schools. There schools that are a little reluctant. They are still looking at laptops. My school is one. Although there is thought of buying some tablet. My Assistant Principal went on the trip so I was able to discuss the important and urgency of this technology. Many times we get stuck on the technology that our generation is use to. I remember my mother arguing about not upgrading the "banging key" typewriter to an electronic one. My fingers still can remember the pain. This generation of students is growing up with the touch revolution. You can see on You Tube really young kids using iPhones and iPad. You hear the phrase "There is an app for that". As I looked around and in my hand most people had tablets. There was an older lady sitting next to me using a tablet. If most of us use them why aren't the schools catching up.
There are many useful ways and ideas in using these handheld. It allows for teachers to move out of the classroom. If schools can't afford them they should look into changing policies and allowing students to bring them form home. Most students have them already. If teachers once again talk and emphasize the ethics and proper use of the technology in a classroom then teachers can move on and students can gather the skills need for their future. So I am hoping that my AP is serious and looking in o policy changing and allow for my teachers and I to benefit from the use of the technology for the students in the classroom.
