Comments for Technology In Class http://technologyinclass.com/blog Pedagogy for the 21st Century Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:14:03 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 Comment on Teaching: The Unprofessional Profession by Playing ‘The School Game’ « Markparkinson’s Blog http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/09/teaching-the-unprofessional-profession/comment-page-1/#comment-1267 Playing ‘The School Game’ « Markparkinson’s Blog Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:14:03 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=799#comment-1267 [...] Teacher Professional Development [...] [...] Teacher Professional Development [...]

]]> Comment on Do You Give Zeros? by Moral Compass http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/07/do-you-give-zeros/comment-page-1/#comment-1249 Moral Compass Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:53:22 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=758#comment-1249 My school is currently in the middle of this zero debate. It seems their philosophy is that we need to give the zero and that they can't magically change into passing grades when various assignments are handed in late. The biggest problem is that all the teachers don't follow our homework policy which then cause problems for administrators when you work in the private sector and certain kids can be weeded out due to their poor work performance. I traditionally liked to give a student a 70 the first time they don't hand it in, a 50 the second, and then a zero for subsequent missing assignments. I really feel this doesn't hurt the students overall grade as bad and gives a better accessment of the overall academic profile of a student since the zero won't tip the scales so harshly. (How many times as a teacher, do we always get things graded to hand back the next day?) In the real world, even the bill collectors,car financers, and Mortage lenders work with you when you are late once or twice. If you pay late, you get a small fine. When you are in a parking lot, the longer your in, the more you have to pay. I believe in the same system with homework. Living in our fast paced world where kids are doing everything under the sun and are faced with so many obstacles in doing their work, I almost believe you have to be laissez faire when you are dealing with your average classroom. I truly believe, that I would rather harp on my students to get their work handed in and give them a penalty then to have them not do the assignment at all. If I am doing a Homework to see where my kids are at on a particular topic... and a few don't do it... then I don't have the full picture of my students! So I will be on their cases until they do get it done. If a gentle push doesn't get it done,if a second doesn't work, then I would call the repo man, shut the electric off, or sign the foreclosure papers. Isn't that how the real world works? I guess somehow its the old 3 strikes your out, or in this case, on the third strike, you are getting what you deserve. My school is currently in the middle of this zero debate. It seems their philosophy is that we need to give the zero and that they can’t magically change into passing grades when various assignments are handed in late. The biggest problem is that all the teachers don’t follow our homework policy which then cause problems for administrators when you work in the private sector and certain kids can be weeded out due to their poor work performance.

I traditionally liked to give a student a 70 the first time they don’t hand it in, a 50 the second, and then a zero for subsequent missing assignments. I really feel this doesn’t hurt the students overall grade as bad and gives a better accessment of the overall academic profile of a student since the zero won’t tip the scales so harshly. (How many times as a teacher, do we always get things graded to hand back the next day?)

In the real world, even the bill collectors,car financers, and Mortage lenders work with you when you are late once or twice. If you pay late, you get a small fine. When you are in a parking lot, the longer your in, the more you have to pay. I believe in the same system with homework. Living in our fast paced world where kids are doing everything under the sun and are faced with so many obstacles in doing their work, I almost believe you have to be laissez faire when you are dealing with your average classroom.

I truly believe, that I would rather harp on my students to get their work handed in and give them a penalty then to have them not do the assignment at all. If I am doing a Homework to see where my kids are at on a particular topic… and a few don’t do it… then I don’t have the full picture of my students! So I will be on their cases until they do get it done. If a gentle push doesn’t get it done,if a second doesn’t work, then I would call the repo man, shut the electric off, or sign the foreclosure papers. Isn’t that how the real world works?

I guess somehow its the old 3 strikes your out, or in this case, on the third strike, you are getting what you deserve.

]]> Comment on Do You Give Zeros? by tic@technologyinclass.com http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/07/do-you-give-zeros/comment-page-1/#comment-1228 tic@technologyinclass.com Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:42:48 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=758#comment-1228 Change is difficult, many of the parents have to be "educated" about these new views of assessment as well. Our students will adjust and adapt, but it's the rigid thinking adults that will be the biggest obstacle regarding new practices. Thank you all for the comments and showing the confidence to voice your thoughts/opinions. Change is difficult, many of the parents have to be “educated” about these new views of assessment as well. Our students will adjust and adapt, but it’s the rigid thinking adults that will be the biggest obstacle regarding new practices.

Thank you all for the comments and showing the confidence to voice your thoughts/opinions.

]]> Comment on The Failure of Teacher-Centered Teaching in A Serious Man by tic@technologyinclass.com http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/10/23/the-failure-of-teacher-centered-teaching-in-a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-1227 tic@technologyinclass.com Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:01:59 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=273#comment-1227 @Student advocate, You're right on. I think for teachers who have been teacher-centered for so long it would be too much work to create new lessons that are more student-centered. Of course, there are times when lecturing is necessary. Nevertheless, this doesn't help students to construct knowledge and employ higher order thinking skills a la Bloom. @Student advocate,

You’re right on. I think for teachers who have been teacher-centered for so long it would be too much work to create new lessons that are more student-centered. Of course, there are times when lecturing is necessary. Nevertheless, this doesn’t help students to construct knowledge and employ higher order thinking skills a la Bloom.

]]> Comment on The Failure of Teacher-Centered Teaching in A Serious Man by Student Advocate http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/10/23/the-failure-of-teacher-centered-teaching-in-a-serious-man/comment-page-1/#comment-1226 Student Advocate Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:07:44 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=273#comment-1226 I'm new to teaching, at least formal teaching. Having spent time as a science tutor, a soccer coach, a mentor to my younger sisters has given me some good insights in effective educational practicum. The bottom line is when you place the interest of your student before your own, learning will take place. I just recently learned in an education class that teacher centered practicum is not student centered-so why is this style of teaching more common than student-centered? I have come to the conclusion that the later requires more work and educational leaders are not willing to hold teachers accountable. In my former career (molecular biologist) professionals that did not use research based practices were fired. In education, it’s a whole different story. Who do we blame? I honestly think there are some teachers who need to find other careers since they are not committed to the success of others. Oops I think I stepped on someone’s toes………. I’m new to teaching, at least formal teaching. Having spent time as a science tutor, a soccer coach, a mentor to my younger sisters has given me some good insights in effective educational practicum. The bottom line is when you place the interest of your student before your own, learning will take place. I just recently learned in an education class that teacher centered practicum is not student centered-so why is this style of teaching more common than student-centered? I have come to the conclusion that the later requires more work and educational leaders are not willing to hold teachers accountable. In my former career (molecular biologist) professionals that did not use research based practices were fired. In education, it’s a whole different story. Who do we blame? I honestly think there are some teachers who need to find other careers since they are not committed to the success of others. Oops I think I stepped on someone’s toes……….

]]> Comment on Do You Give Zeros? by Student Advocate http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/07/do-you-give-zeros/comment-page-1/#comment-1225 Student Advocate Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:52:36 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=758#comment-1225 Yes, the wisdom Rick Wormeli helped me to change my instructional practices about two years ago. Instead of using the traditional 100 point scale I switched to an even-distribution scale. In the process of changing over, I educated my students/and their parents on grading practices so they can become more literate. Bucking the status quo came at of cost of course but if I had to do this all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. My grade book is no longer being used as a whip, my students appreciate that. Based on the above postings, it is obvious that some teachers do not understand how the distribution of grades on a traditional 100 point scale is not accurate. Yes, the wisdom Rick Wormeli helped me to change my instructional practices about two years ago. Instead of using the traditional 100 point scale I switched to an even-distribution scale. In the process of changing over, I educated my students/and their parents on grading practices so they can become more literate. Bucking the status quo came at of cost of course but if I had to do this all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. My grade book is no longer being used as a whip, my students appreciate that. Based on the above postings, it is obvious that some teachers do not understand how the distribution of grades on a traditional 100 point scale is not accurate.

]]> Comment on Do You Give Zeros? by Conscientious Objector http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/07/do-you-give-zeros/comment-page-1/#comment-1224 Conscientious Objector Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:37:44 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=758#comment-1224 This conversation is an ongoing one at my high school. RTI is in full-court press and we find ourselves asking fundamental questions...again. What does a grade represent? What is the meaning of assessment? How does student responsibility factor into the picture? Engagement is a two-way street. There are students who have perfected the act of disengagement by the time we get them in the ninth grade. I can't agree that educators assume students necessarily learn something without demonstrating that knowledge in some measurable fashion. At the high school level, that is a huge leap of faith which usually results in a sprained ankle...or worse. Zeros represent effort, mastery, AND accountability. If you don't pay your electric bill, then you receive zero power. If you don't show up at work, then you receive zero dollars. Assessment, I believe, is meant to demonstrate to the teacher and the student where a student's mastery is at a certain point in time. That opens the door for remediation and enrichment. How can a teacher effectively construct the best possible learning process without both formative and summative assessments if the student does not participate in the process? Blaming the teachers for lack of engagement, while it may ring true in some cases, is short-sighted. Many of us struggle at all levels to address the needs of our students while maintaining equity among our students. What is often missing is the student who values learning and is open to opportunities for engagement and growth. We are not the enemy. We wish for our graduates to be independent, productive citizens who are advocates for their own futures as well as their future families. Earning a zero sends a message to all interested parties that the train is derailing...either work together to get it back on track or it is going to end up lying by the side-rails unable to go anywhere. This conversation is an ongoing one at my high school. RTI is in full-court press and we find ourselves asking fundamental questions…again. What does a grade represent? What is the meaning of assessment? How does student responsibility factor into the picture? Engagement is a two-way street. There are students who have perfected the act of disengagement by the time we get them in the ninth grade. I can’t agree that educators assume students necessarily learn something without demonstrating that knowledge in some measurable fashion. At the high school level, that is a huge leap of faith which usually results in a sprained ankle…or worse.
Zeros represent effort, mastery, AND accountability. If you don’t pay your electric bill, then you receive zero power. If you don’t show up at work, then you receive zero dollars. Assessment, I believe, is meant to demonstrate to the teacher and the student where a student’s mastery is at a certain point in time. That opens the door for remediation and enrichment. How can a teacher effectively construct the best possible learning process without both formative and summative assessments if the student does not participate in the process?
Blaming the teachers for lack of engagement, while it may ring true in some cases, is short-sighted. Many of us struggle at all levels to address the needs of our students while maintaining equity among our students. What is often missing is the student who values learning and is open to opportunities for engagement and growth. We are not the enemy. We wish for our graduates to be independent, productive citizens who are advocates for their own futures as well as their future families. Earning a zero sends a message to all interested parties that the train is derailing…either work together to get it back on track or it is going to end up lying by the side-rails unable to go anywhere.

]]> Comment on Budget Woes by n.c. teacher http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2010/03/17/budget-woes/comment-page-1/#comment-1173 n.c. teacher Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:52:49 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=2217#comment-1173 Another problem is that a lot of the teachers being fired are young and energetic. So now we lose some quality teachers and students are stuck with teachers that teach just like they did 30 years ago! Another problem is that a lot of the teachers being fired are young and energetic. So now we lose some quality teachers and students are stuck with teachers that teach just like they did 30 years ago!

]]> Comment on Free PowerPoint Games Templates by Jeopardy Labs (not PowerPoint!) at Technology In Class http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2010/02/04/free-powerpoint-games-templates/comment-page-1/#comment-1128 Jeopardy Labs (not PowerPoint!) at Technology In Class Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:08:34 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=1470#comment-1128 [...] The games you create can be played from anywhere in the world, you can even add it to your blog, wiki, or website. For those of you looking for the traditional PowerPoint templates we have those here. [...] [...] The games you create can be played from anywhere in the world, you can even add it to your blog, wiki, or website. For those of you looking for the traditional PowerPoint templates we have those here. [...]

]]> Comment on Coloring Outside the Lines by tic@technologyinclass.com http://technologyinclass.com/blog/2009/12/22/coloring-outside-the-lines/comment-page-1/#comment-1082 tic@technologyinclass.com Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:40:21 +0000 http://technologyinclass.com/blog/?p=737#comment-1082 Thanks for the encouragement, Don. Thanks for the encouragement, Don.

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