Are you learning from your colleagues?

Edutopia is taking another survey...Do the teachers around you influence your performance? I hope so, both for good reasons and bad. There are teachers that do phenomenal things that I beg, borrow, and steal from whenever I can. Then there are those who you want to be nothing like.  But in each case, you learn from them. I have been part of a PD conference for the past two years called Partnership for Literate Learning (PLL). Basically, it’s employing multiple, different strategies that focus on deeper thinking. Very little prep time is involved, but the students are actively engaged and conversing with one another. It has been very beneficial. We have teachers that participate at all grade levels so when they return to the building, they share their ideas with their grade level colleagues. Some grade levels like one particular strategy while other grade benefits from another strategy. In either case, students are having those in-depth conversations and learning from one another. So are you learning or avoiding?

Is Delicious Shutting Down?

I’ve really come to like and appreciate the Delicious website that I created for this class. I enjoy having all my important sites just a few clicks away, no matter where I go. With that said, I recently heard that Yahoo might be shutting it down. Needless to say, I had to investigate and this is what I found out. Yahoo claims they are not shutting down Delicious, but it doesn’t exactly fit Yahoo’s strategic plan. They believe there is a better fit for it outside the company where it can be appropriately funding and therefore, more competitive. While Yahoo is investigating other options, nothing has been decided. They encourage users to continue using Delicious and will let their supporters know when a deal has been reached. If Yahoo does close Delicious, there are export sties that will transfer your bookmarks.

Assessments can show more than just a grade.

Been doing a lot of reading on formative and summative assessments, so I just thought I’d share ... We are a nation of tests, tests, and more tests. For some teachers, they teach; they assess; they grade, never to speak of that assessment again.  Teachers are tired of giving tests and students are tired of taking them. Yet we continue the process. Why? Because we have to show proof of student learning. Did the student pass? What was the grade? Students, parents, teachers, and administrators all want to see the grades. Those grades are used to rate schools and districts, which translates into funding dollars. Assessments are not going away because there is too much at stake. Maybe if we changed what we did with assessments, we could change how we feel about assessments. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I‘ve heard numerous times that assessment drives instruction. Assessments should be more than just a grade. Assessments should be used to develop instruction and monitor student progress. Do we have time in a day to continually monitor every student? Probably not. But do you have time to do some type of formative assessment a few times a week? Probably so. If we perform formative assessments during the unit and adjust teaching strategies as needed, the scores on the summative assessments shouldn’t be a surprise.

Responsibility in Social Media

In a recent article in Edutopia by Andrew Marcinek, he discusses how we need to teach students the importance of digital citizenship in social media. As students are made available to more forms of technology, it’s imperative that we, as teachers, educate students not only on how to use these devices, but also the responsibilities that come with using such equipment and programs. Case and point … the teenager who posted inappropriate messages on Facebook. In whatever we do, students must realize that actions have consequences. Some consequences are good; some are bad; it all depends on the action. We all need to think about consequences before we act.

Alternative Ways to Standard Multiplication

Just checking out some new videos on Teachertube. Came across this one on multiplication. I’m always looking for new methods to teach fourth graders double digit multiplication. It’s called the Break Apart Box. Here’s a link if you would like to check it out: http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=218713. It looks similar to a method I use called Lattice Multiplication. Lattice is great for kids that struggle with the placement of numbers when learning the standard way of 2-digit multiplication. When you break down the numbers in Lattice, the problem is not so overwhelming. The students are a little more at ease, because they just need to know the basic facts. Lattice helps them to be successful at 2- or 3-digit multiplication.

Should all teachers have technology training?

Edutopia is taking a survey. They would like to know your thoughts on mandatory tech training for all teachers. I, for one, think teachers need some form of technology training, but I’m not saying that districts need to spend money for a trainer. Many districts have qualified “techie’s” on staff. Why not use them as a resource? To pay for a training course would not be beneficial for everyone, particularly for those that know their way around a computer/Internet. If a district used a PD day and invest in their staff, they could use teachers that have Internet know-how as go-to people. This way, districts would save money on trainers, while using their “technology” teachers to educate those with less experience. (I placed technology in quotations because these people may not necessarily teach a technology class but are knowledgeable in the area.) Here’s a link if you would like to weigh in: http://www.edutopia.org/poll-technology-training-required-teachers?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader.

E-learning on Snow Days?

It has been said that three, favorite, winter words of Michigan public school teachers are “blowing and drifting.” As this huge storm locks us in our homes, teachers and students alike are enjoying their day off.  (Personally, I’m working on my podcast assignment.) Some colleagues of mine were talking yesterday about a measure that some Ohio schools were undertaking to avoid being penalized snow days. According to this article,  http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/02/editorial_why_snow_days_for_sc.html, Ohio schools are allowed three snow/weather days before they are penalized. In Michigan, we are allowed five. To avoid being penalized, some districts in Ohio are employing e-days. This means that during a snow day, districts would offer online learning days. Teachers would prepare, in advance, an assignment/project for students to complete on their snow day. The project would be more of an enrichment/supplemental activity. For students that didn’t complete it on their snow day, they would have two weeks to finish it once they returned to school. Obviously, there are issues to this. What about Internet accessibility? How would states know that districts made their students accountable? What recourse would there be if students didn’t do the assignment? While this issue brings up questions, I think it’s a very viable alternative to snow days. With accessibility of technology everywhere, why not put your assignments online? Personally, it wouldn’t be a big deal to me because my lesson would have to be prepared before the snow day. I could still enjoy my day off. For students, I don’t think they woyuld like it at all. But we all have to do things we don’t like. Right?