Two things stuck out in my head from last night's class:
1. Assessment and filtering - this is such a thorn in my side. Although I completely understand why it needs to happen and I completely understand the need for structure and measurement, etc. it always makes me wonder what education would be like if the teachers had a bit more freedom. Now, I know that opens a whole can of worms in regard to teachers being irresponsible with it, but sometimes, we just need a few things to really create a fantastic learning experience. For example, there is some software that I would love to use in a geography class, but because the students would have to individually download it on the school's server, it can't be done. Don't get me wrong, I know why they have to filter the downloads, but this is an educational software!
Assessment in areas like technology, art, phys.ed, etc., like I mentioned in class is a real challenge. Yes, I am competent enough to assess these areas and I do it well, however, it seems very silly to me to have to give a grade to a student who has no aptitude for something. I realize that the grade is provided as an incentive for the child to set goals and challenge themselves, but perhaps it's harder on their self esteem. With that said, I do also feel it is important to expose students to as much as we can before they leave school and if nothing else, provide them with the minimum skills in every subject. Id grade giving good for the self esteem of a child who has little aptitude in that area?
2. Morals and changing values of educational technology - The "Live and Learn" video as I think we all saw had some strongly embedded morals in it. The videos we show now deal with much different areas of caution. For example, we have school assemblies where we show drinking and driving, drug use, sexual diseases, etc. It seems the students of this generation need different messages than they did in the 50's or even later parts of the 20th century. However, I am making assumptions about what was watched in the 50's, maybe they did show videos about drinking and driving and doing crystal meth, but I would assume it would have been in a less graphic format. Likewise, I teach high school and I think the "Live and Learn" video was geared for a younger audience, so it would be interesting to see a high school education video from the 50's. Are the students of today growing up too quickly?
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I think (don't have data to back me up) filtering is more of an issue in urban divisions - or ones with control freaks in charge (oops , did I say that?). In the school I was at - as a teacher, then an ICT Leader then Principal, we did not have any filtering. (K-12 school). I firmly believe that we have to extend some trust and teach responsible use. While there were the odd incidents, generally kids were cooperative and responsible. Teachers joined in being responsible too, it also treated teachers as professionals. If they wanted to use a certain web site, or show YouTube videos, then they chose, as a professional. That is all I will say - I have more on my blog and in other comments. It is an important discussion to have and teachers must be involved - in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI added a few comments re: assessment to James' blog, so I'll leave it at that! I also commented on the video, I put a link to where you can find more of these videos on my blog (or will when I get post it). Your last question is a good one, in some ways, I think they do, but in some ways not (wow, can I sit on the fence or what :-)
I created a link to the video you mentioned in class. It sure brought back memories. Sorry, I have to go now. I have to hide under my desk as I think I hear an atomic bomb coming my way. False alarm, it was my wife (however, I'm going to stay under the desk until things are safe).
ReplyDeleteLana, Mike, you raised important points re: assessment and filtering and to a large extent I would like to associate that with control, just as Mike has done. Filtering is indeed control. It is the teacher telling the students that they do not have a right to access certain information or use certain media (I do agree that certain sites should be blocked, but the criteria for blocking should be clearly defined, discussed and generally agreed to).
ReplyDeleteIn a management course I was a part of, we learned that the four functions of management include planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Controlling is a management function that is mostly downplayed in comparison to the other functions. The other three are mostly a collaborative function requiring the manager to constantly engage with his/her staff in what I would call a "democratic" process. Controlling on the other hand is an authocratic activity which does not necessarily require the manager to discuss and come to a consensus with his/her team. But will go ahead an implement, single handedly, whatever decision it feels is in the best interest of the entire organisation. A decision that may eventually not be the right one.
Teachers are managers and they should see themselves as managers of a class, if they dont already do so. And like managers, teachers should do little of controlling but more of planning, organizing, and leading (or facilitating). The rest will fall in place.
The idea of being censored, filtered by admin and other influentials suggests to me that perhaps we need a complete overhaul of the system. What might the education system look like if it were completely private? Then individual school policy would reign and teachers would have more freedom, especially to start their own schools. For a time that may work, but then schools would gather in association, create a board, and then we're back to the public like system... but without public money. What is the best approach to serve the common good?
ReplyDeleteOf course, one may say, define good. I guess a bunch of self-appointed leaders (friends with the power of persuasion - maybe the odd gun) can set a tone that others might accept, out of fear. But is that any good? It would be better, I suggest, that we use our powers of observation when defining good. Consider AIDS. Is AIDS good? No, of course. If something brings death, how can it be good? I think that good is oriented toward life. Now, what are life giving policies for a school? Some filtering might be in order. But as we all agree, and this may be good, the ethics and responsibility play a big role in the use of technology. Ah #@^&!! Filter that! Just had a bomb go off in my room!
Hey Roman - get out from under that desk!
ReplyDeleteSid Davis made other educational videos for children in the 50's about topics like: don't talk to strangers, don't do illegal drugs. I think the other films had similar themes of being careful and avoiding danger.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about the video in my blog too. I wonder if fear is the best way to educate young people about the dangers of the world. How do we educate while promoting confidence and risk-taking? Shawn White, recent gold-medal winning snowboarder and multi-millionaire from the USA, would never have gotten to where he is today had he listened to every safety-video he watched. How do we teach young people to confidently "own the podium" while also telling them to "play it safe"?
You are on a roll, Rol-and - good comment.
ReplyDelete