Edutopia: Join the Movement to Transform Learning: A Guest Blog by George Lucus

George Lucus talks about how school is "locked in a time capsule" and a student will receive a diploma if "the student can spit back facts correctly."   Technology has changed learning drastically and if we continue to follow this old model for learning, it may begin to fail.  While textbooks are still being used as the main resources for teaching and presenting information, technology needs to enter the world of schools more rapidly.  Schools need to transform into the world of technology and one-on-one computing needs to continue to happen. We need to "personalize student learning" to meet the needs of our students.

Education Week: Value of College-Admissions Test-Prep Classes Unclear

I found this article to be very interesting, because there is so much emphasis on preparing for the ACT/SAT exams.  I remember myself trying to prepare for what I thought was the biggest test of my life.  The anxiety was unbearable and I felt like if I failed that I would never get into college.  The article talks about how much parents spend on tutors, prep courses, and/or prep materials.  They challenge that, this last chance attempt for preparation will probably not benefit students much if any at all.  The article also stressed that college entrance criteria is not solely based on this test, so parents and students need to put there focus on the whole "student package."

ReadWriteWeb: Twitter in the Classroom?

Another great tool that I wish I could use in my classroom.  It is great to see students truly motivated to learn.  There are so many great tools at our fingertips, yet it is discouraging not to be able to utilize them in our classrooms.

Edutopia: Differential Instruction Ignites Elementary School Learning

If only we had as much technology and training as this school is able to have.  Another problem our teachers face is that our common planning time across grade levels and subjects do not exist.  Due to cuts, teachers are asked to teacher multiple grade levels and subjects, which eliminates common planning time to collaborate.

Education Week: Psst! Anti-Bullying Quiets Playground Gossip, Study Finds

This article written by Sarah Sparks highlights that early intervention decreases the chances of bullying occurring in the future.  The article mentions that having anti-bullying programs help to reduce bullying within a school.  I can't walk down the halls in my school without seeing or hearing bullying.  What could be worse than the bullying itself?  Those teachers and students who ignore it!  Why does this happen?  I think students are afraid to stand up to the bullies because they do not want to be bullied themselves and as for teachers, there is no excuse.  Typically you hear a teacher say they don't step in because they don't know how to effectively handle the problem.  The hardest form of bullying to detect are those that spread hurtful rumors.  I wish all schools had anti-bullying programs, my school needs one.

ReadWriteWeb: A Watson Victory? This is About a Contest, Not Science

I didn't actually get to see the three day Jeopardy show, but after reading this article by Alex Williams, I watched some clips of the show.  It is amazing that IBM has created this machine, Watson, and they are going to offer it for university research.  New scientific advances emerge every year and it is truly amazing how they have used these advances in medicine, education, etc.  I do worry that these advances will change use as humans.  The more machines or robots can do for us, the lazier we may become.  I heard on the radio this morning that teenage obesity is on the rise.  Could it be because of these great technology devices we call video games.  Someday we may have robots doing all of the service jobs that humans do.  Instead of doctors we will be diagnosed by machines.  I am not sure I like where the future may be heading.

Edutopia: Should Students be Labeled as Gifted?

Labels are useful and harmful.  I hear students yelling down the hall "You're in the retard room" to a student who has a learning disability in math computation.  Or you may hear other labels like "Queer, stupid, special ed" being directed at particular students.  In education, using labels can be a helpful tool for instructing students with learning disabilities, behavioral problems, etc.  Even students who excel, need to have specialized programs that challenge them.  However, labels can be negative and I feel they are unnecessary.  As an educator, my job is to know the strengths of my students and provide them with the strategies to help them become successful.  We may find that one student needs more than another, but by using assessments (both formal and informal) we can measure the best way to help students.  Being a special education teacher, labels are tools we use to categorize student needs, but I think if we eliminate labels and focus on strengths and weaknesses, this would be a more powerful approach.   

Education Week: Facebook Keeps Class in When School is Out

I don't know about you but as a student I was thrilled to celebrate when we had a snow day.  Even as an educator, taking a break can be a relief.  Well an article written by Jenna Mink explains how some teachers continue to educate even when snow days occur.  Some educators in Warren County Public Schools take the opportunity to use Facebook to continue to instruct their students.  Granted these are students in AP courses and they are more than willing to continue the learning experience outside of the classroom, yet I say let kids be kids and enjoy the day off.

ReadWriteWeb: Education or Entrepreneurship: Do You Have To Make a Choice?

After reading this article by Audrey Watters and watching the video, I wonder if schools need to create alternative opportunities for some students.  There are just those students who will never be good at taking tests or passing certain subjects in school.  What is our response?  We just keep trying to teach them a different way and hope one day they will eventually "get it." I think we need to focus on student strengths and prepare them for what they do excel in and not what we want them to excel in.  The article stressed that maybe a path of education is not the right choice for some students rather a business opportunity may be the option for them.  Some students just have unique talents and need opportunities outside of the current education system to utilize them.

Edutopia: Do Colleagues Influence Your Performance?

After reading this poll by Sara Ring, it made me think about how much teachers affect the attitudes and performance within my own building.  There are not a lot of young, vibrant educators in my building.  In fact, most of the teachers have been teaching for 20+ years.  It is rather difficult for some of my colleagues to accept change and be willing to change.  They are set in their ways and their attitudes reflect that.  There are a handful of new educators in the building and when we bring in fresh, new ideas the more experienced staff speak boldly to try to discourage the idea altogether.  I have learned helpful strategies, lessons, and classroom management tips from these veteran teachers, but I just wish they would be more willing to learn from their new colleagues.

Education Weekly: School Misdemeanors

This article talks about how schools should be careful on how they handle school discipline and use suspensions rather than the courts.  What I have noticed in the years I have been teaching is that suspensions=sleep in late, play video games and one more day away from school (a place they already don't want to be).  So for some students getting suspened can appear to be a reward and not a consequence. While I believe consequences for behaviors need to start small, they also need to fit the behavior.  If a student's behavior is destruction of property, then maybe the court system is where they need to go.  When I was in school, the thought of suspension was enough to scare me because I knew that my consequences would continue at home with my parents.  There would not be sleeping in or playing games, instead my parents would have a whole list of chores to complete for the day.  So until suspensions have a different meaning for students and parents, they will continue to be ineffective.

ReadWriteWeb: The Importance of Teaching Digital Citizenship

After reading this article written by Audrey Watters it made me think about how we have failed our young technology users.  We have given them a tool to use but no training to go with it.  Before our youngsters are able to drive they must take a Drivers Education Course.  We wouldn't just hand them the keys and say "go for it!"  Why don't we provide kids with training on how to use a computers properly or any other digital device?  Cyberbullying exists and while we can't stop it from ever happening we can teach our younsters how to use a computer with respect to others.  Schools and parents often warn students of the dangers from predators online, by teaching kids not to give out personal information, etc.  So I think teaching digital citizenship classes should be the starting point when allowing kids to have access to computers.  We need to teach kids not to be bullies!

Edutopia: Should Students be Graded on Social and Emotional Learning?

After reading the responses posted on this topic, it made me think a lot about my own classroom.  A great majority of my students lack the social skills they need to be successful in the middle school environment.  Do I feel that graded them on their social or emotional learning is the answer, no, but I do think these areas do need to be assessed.  As I look to the future for my students, I worry that their lack of social skills will have a huge impact on their ability to land or keep a job.  If students are not being taught these skills at home, then shouldn't the schools take the opportunity to step in and try to provide them with helpful strategies?  Schools are forced to focus on academics, but I feel these things go hand and hand.