Beautifu Posts, Perfect in every way, Should be a Journalist! "Do I get an A?" Just Kidding while reading through the Rubics Assignment I'm beginning to think grades are not as important as skills.
I noticed I usually write about ideas and concepts but I don't always complete the idea. I don't always summarize what I've written about to give the readers closure. I could also include More Open ended questions to get the reader to think about the ideas I'm writing about more. I have noticed a change in my posts over time. My more recent posts do focus more on a complete idea rather than just random thoughts. My composition has improved. I've started to use a lot more picture references, videos, and support for my writings.
As I reflect back on my 1st post about "SimulationEducation - Hands on Approach to Learning" I'm approaching a half circle. The thought of creating a Hands on Approach to learning by facilitating is becoming an tangable Idea. I lay awake at night as my mind races though how to reach students, how to engage them and utilize there full potential. How to reach children suffering from ADHD, Social Anziety's, and Learning Disabilities. I'm develping the weapons to fight this War against illiteracy, poverty, and "this person is a lost cause" concept.
Through Webquests I've learned how to focus on creativity to challenge students. I've learned to use games to teach and strengthen skills. Someday I still hope to make them. I've learned to use co-operative documents using PBworks. I've even gotten a 1st hand glimps of one being used in an acually classroom my 6th grade son is in. They are using items I'm learning about in this class to teach. He is now in AP Reading and AP Math based on these concepts. I hope to teach him using Podcasts and Vodcasts a new concept I had never done before this class.
I've come across teacher that are working on the same ideas and through there creations and examples I hope to make my own. The Flipped Classroom is one area I'll be revisiting. The concept of using the classroom to syncronizing online learning at home. I'm currently looking over the idea of creating a Rubics. I love the idea of using a Rubics rather than grades. Rubics focus more on the skills learned, kind of a "G0 or NO GO" concept the Army uses.
I know my writings are not as creative or narrative as some in this classroom's blogs I've read. I need to work on that. I've learned a lot so far focusing on skill rather than grades. I hope to learn more even beyond this class or blogs I've written. If I use blogs I'll make them internal in my classroom and not public.
Butch,
ReplyDelete“I lay awake at night as my mind races through how to reach students, how to engage them and utilize their full potential, how to reach children suffering from ADHD, Social Anxiety’s, and Learning Disabilities” (Butch). I was having the same problem and running to my computer at 3 am to look up stuff, and not getting any sleep. My daughter’s teacher gave me some advice. She said to keep a notebook and pen by my bed and just write down my ideas that way I am not getting out of bed and when I do start my day the ideas are there for me. I also gave myself a cutoff time on my school work each day and that has helped me a lot with my headaches.
I like your idea of using a rubric that has an Army concept to it. I don’t see it happening, because I think there are too many parents out there that look for that grade and like to compare their child to others based on a grade. We have school systems comparing their students’ grades against each other. Good grades are nice, but to me what good are they if a child does not have the skills needed to be productive to society.
I have enjoyed reading your blogs Butch, and it seems like you are very down to earth. You actually put your personality into the blogs and that is very appealing and not BORING to read. (LIKE MINE). Now that I know to loosen up and have fun with things like blogs, I will in my future put more effort into my writings and all. Thanks for your funny little "perks" you put in it.
ReplyDeleteI would agree you have done a terrific job on your post this semester. They were always fun to read unlike mine hahaha...I would always just post my blogs before reading yours because if I didn't I wouldnt have anything to follow. Hard act to follow man! You are going to be an awesome teacher!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Posts, Perfect in every way, Should be a Journalist! "Do I get an A?" Just Kidding while reading through the Rubrics Assignment I'm beginning to think grades are not as important as skills.
ReplyDeleteI wish more people would understand that a grade is simply a demonstration of what you have learned. It is not the be all end all. We have the behaviorists to thank for this kind of thinking. Rewards and incentives--what happened to the intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and the wonder?
I'm currently designing an online version of EDU 145 Human Growth and Development II. I am having to revisit the concept of developmentally appropriate practice. One of the discussion board scenarios asks the students to discuss how they would persuade parents that "play" is appropriate--not worksheets and grades. How would you answer this question?
Amy- I couldn't agree more about he comparison to others. I found myself looking at report cards this week and looking to see where my daughter was in rankings. I was disappointed in her falling to 33 out of 432. In the real world of jobs while you compare sometimes the most important thing is 1. can they do the job well? 2.Are they reliable and responsible? Grades do not reflect this most of the time. I have some of the best Air Traffic Controller in the world not show up to work or jump ship after 5 months of training.
ReplyDeleteAngie- Fun is what this class and I'm shooting for. Believe me I'm a very boring logical person but I need to teach my children and they respond to fun. You post have been very informative and too the point. Actually thats what I like- straight, quick, to the point answers. The post I've read you've written have been very entertaining when you have the time I've notice.
Peaches-thanks Peaches you've done well. I've been amazed at how fast you knocked out that Last Project, good job.
Dr. Keesee- I would love to take EDU 145 with you as a teacher! I must admit I've learned more in this class than all 3 of my other classes combined. It has been challenging and rewarding. I place this class in the top 5 I've taken in learning. I can actually say I'm walking away with new skills I can use rather than justs checking the block. Excellent class. I think I'll be taking a break after this one regretfully my wife says "If I take one more class she's kicking me too the curb because I spend more time with the computer than her." Sorry put this monitor doesn't kiss as good as her so this class is it for a long time. **Secretly**I'm hoping to start again when my daughter goes to college and take classes with her in 2 years.*