Pretty Awesome Week
I have to say that this was a pretty awesome week in class. We were able to create our own podcasts. While it wasn’t my first time to do this, it was still fun. I really enjoy helping the others out that have not messed with this type of learning tool as of yet. Not a one of them complained about it or said they would not use it. They are a group to be proud of, for sure.
I also get to go home this weekend for the first time in nearly three weeks. Yeah for me! My wife sounds like she could use a break. Trying to be both parents at the same time has to be wearing her out. I love her and appreciate her so much for allowing me the opportunity to take this program for five weeks. I have to give my son credit as well. For the most part, he has been stepping up and helping to make sure his momma is taken care of. I am proud of that. He starts kindergarten in a few months. Man, how the time has flown.
Anyway, this week in NWP allowed me to share my knowledge through the teacher demonstration as well as learn so much from the others in my class as they did their presentations. Thanks so much to all of you for being supportive during my presentation and teaching me so much during yours. I look forward to a long professional relationship with each of you even though we are long distance. We can make it work!
Have a great weekend, my friends.
Scott
Categories:
NWP
Reflecting on why I am not reflecting...and more
I hate that I have gotten so busy with my grad work that I have forgotten to post on this site. Reflection is such an important part to learning. I just need to slow down enough to reflect.
I have enjoyed the course so far. I think it is a little on the less-directed side. Some of the assignments are fairly open-ended which gives rise to concerns over whether what is being created is what is being asked for. Since it is a more laid-back atmosphere, to some extent, I would assume that there is always a chance to redo something that is not done as expected. That always helps the learning process.
I love the integration of technology into the training. More teacher training programs need to take notice of this. Teachers are getting left behind so badly because the professional development groups/responsible parties will not put it out there for teachers to see how useful it is. It is quite a shame, too. Our kids are missing out on so much good learning and conversation because of it. I guess it is our job to change that part of the system.
I was discussing something similar to this today with some colleagues at a meeting in Austin. We were lamenting the passing of funding for field trips that offered our students hands-on learning opportunities like museum trips. I just wish our state legislature would open their eyes and see how bad they are cheating the students of Texas. They are trying to create their political careers on the bashing public schools when they should be building their political careers by helping to build successful public schools. When was the last time a legislature set foot on your campus and simply said, “Hey, what do you need for your students to be successful?”
That’s what I thought.
Great Quote of the Day!
"How come almost everyone who writes about school reform works sompelace other than a school?" - Teacher-writer JoAnne Dowd quoted in an article on school reform by Boston Writing Project Director Joe Check (2002)
WOW! This is a powerful statement. I wonder that myself. I realize that those outside of a situation would have less bias, but they also would have less knowledge about the topic and the effects changes would have considering all of the different variables. You cannot institute a reform idea and just say "do it." You cannot institute a reform idea and just say "make them do it."
Public education does not work that way. We only have so much control over situations.
Those outside of public education do not understand this. They see a law as black and white and do not realize it has so many shades in between.
Will they ever spend any length of time in public school classrooms to see what is really happening? And I don't mean the gifted school with all self-motivated students either. While they deserve equal attention, they are not the average student we face each day.
Let's get this blog rolling!
I would first like to say how much I have thoroughly enjoyed this training already. The highlight has been meeting so many educators that love their students and want the best for them. I wish all teachers were this way. Open-mindedness with change in the classroom is not an easy trait to find in teachers. To have so many of you say that you are not good with technology yet you jump right into blogs in the hopes of using them with the students is just awesome. You get HUGE kudos for that.
I also enjoyed our time with Pete on Tuesday. I know I will learn so much from him and Scott over the next four Tuesdays with Technology. Since the kids love technology so much, it just drives me to learn and integrate more of it into my classroom. I want to engage them like they never thought possible.
Thank you all for accepting me into the Yaya Sisterhood we call BWP. I don't mind being the "brother" in the group. By the way, in my introduction I mentioned I had a high schooler's mentality in elementary school. My wife says that I still have it. No respect.
