phaedrus » Blog Archive » Assessment at a Distance

phaedrus » Blog Archive » Assessment at a Distance

I believe any teacher who thinks their students aren’t  cheating on some level, is blind to their students.  Every student cheats in one way or another, by either getting answers from others or giving the answers. I believe even if a students copys information from another source, they do get some knowledge from the copying process. Don’t get me wrong I do not approve of cheating, but I am not blind to the fact that it is happening in all types of classrooms. I agree with Jennifer in that knowing how to get answers is as important as getting those answers. I wish that we could get students to go to each other for answers and get assistance not only answers. If a student is caught cheating from another student, they should be taught to seek answers differently, like asking for assistance not answers. Students can learn alot from each other, they just need to know that they too are teachers.

Portfolios

Portolios can be a great teaching tool if used correctly. I think schools put too much time and importance on portfoliosto where it is not a tool for the students but more of a tool for the teacher. By this I mean that teachers should allow students to express theirselves and their learning in these portfolios, not create according to the teacher’s demands. Teachers are asking students to write specifically to needs teachers requirements.  If students were able to reflect regarding their own experiences and learning, then it would be a true evaluation of the student. As with any tool, if portfolios are used correctly then it is an effective and useful tool.

Remote Access: Learning = Connecting

Remote Access: Learning = Connecting

The other class I am in is also discussing memory(good and bad memories). So this blog caught my attention. I think that some parts of learning is just memorization and that is fine for Historical facts and equations.  Learning begins by first memorizing something and then building on it. Although, I think some students and teachers rely on this as their sole learning and teaching tool.  For tools to be effective they must be used effectively.

The 10 Video Games Needed to Unlock Your Inner Genius — Open Education

The 10 Video Games Needed to Unlock Your Inner Genius — Open Education

I was surprised at the games that made this list, some of them my children have and when we got them I never imagined the educational side of them. My kids didn’t either or they wouldn’t have picked them out. I think part of the trick is to not let students know they are doing something educational. If students think they are doing something educational they start the project negatively as if they know it has to be boring if it is educational. I am sure that none of  the kids playing the games on this think they are learning.

Myspace.com Blogs:english13028501 MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs:english13028501 MySpace Blog

This blog hits home for me what a real teacher is. It is obviously this teacher loves being a teacher.  A teacher is doesn’t just teach the basics, they support, car,love and help their students to grow.

Teacher/student relationship

 How teachers and students relate differs depending on the indivduals involved. Teachers of elementary students are required to be more mothering and caring. The older the students the less mothering and caring a teacher is required to be, they may need to be more supportive and understanding. Also, the enviornment in which students live is a factor in what students require from their teachers.  Example: if they come from single parent homes where the parent is gone from home due to work, these students may look to their teachers to fill in where the parent is unable to. Teachers roles has changed to accomodate society. Today parents are not as available for children, with single parent homes, both parents working and so forth. Before a whole community was involved in caring for children, with most mothers stay at home moms, children would always be at one or the other neighborhood home. Therefore, teachers are taking on more of the roles that traditionally was done at home.

Is the role of the teacher imposed upon you? Or does it arise from within?

This is a very difficult question to answer. For some the role is imposed and others within.  I believe every school has that teacher that has been there it seems forever. She or he started because it seemed a great way to have summers off. Those teachers are following standards or whatever to get by. The role of teacher has been imposed on them, they do not go beyond or try to actually involve their students in learning. They are teaching for lack of something better for them. Then there are those teachers who  work with their students to inspire learning, the role for them is within. I believe every teacher is faced with the dilema of really wanting to teach their students or follow the mainstream and test preparers.  Those who are inspired to teach find ways to prepare students according to the standards and also inspire them to learn.

ZPD & Equity « Kim Dearing’s Blog

ZPD & Equity « Kim Dearing’s Blog

My daughter has an IEP, therefore some of her teachers are actually trying to development lessons and design her homework assignments to  support her learning stregthens and weakens. When she discovered her assignments were different she was somewhat hurt. Her comment was that her teachers thought she was too dumb to do complete homework assignments as the other students. I tried explaining to her that they were helping her. I think I got her to understand some.  She feels that she no longer needs the IEP now that she is in high school. She does well in school with the IEP, but I don’t think she realizes how hard it would be for her without it. So I do understand completely what you must be going through trying to meet everyone’s ZPD and feeling that they are unappreciative.

phaedrus » Blog Archive » Ms B’s Eighth Grade Class

phaedrus » Blog Archive » Ms B’s Eighth Grade Class

Yes, I believe it was a valuable experience not only for the students but for the visitor. The students were able to interact and learn in a different median. Therefore, that is probably one class discussion that most of them will remember for sometime, because it was new and unfamiliar. As for covering core content and testing material, giving the students the chance to intepret, think and manage a discussion on their own. Also, gives them the knowledge that they are capable of thinking through other situations, which does prepare them for testing. The vistor was given a chance to see other ways technology can enhance education.

Get a Free College Education Online | Kairosnews

Get a Free College Education Online | Kairosnews

So basically, having knowledge without the credit is worthless. I am not so sure I agree, I know that the knowledge without the credit will not get you far with a career. Although, having knowledge, useful knowledge, will get you through life’s obtacles. Where I live most people believe that all the good jobs were obtained by the people who didn’t go to college while the rest of us were at college, because the positions needed filled. Then those people had the experience, therefore they moved up to even better paying jobs, while the new college grads started at the bottom. Sometimes it doesn’t even pay to have the credit with the knowledge. Just having working knowledge may be all that is required.