Krissy Venosdale's blog on If I Built A School explains what she would do if someone gave her the opportunity to build her own school however she wanted, and she didn't have to pay anything. She went on the explain how she would create her dream school, and she told about all of the special features that her school would have.
Mrs. Venosdale had many great ideas, but if I could build my own school, I would do things a lot different!
I am from a very small town, and the local high school is old and run-down. The town does not have the money to make changes to the school, and they cannot afford to get smart-boards or anything like that. Therefore, if I had the money to build my dream school, I would build it for my home town. The new school would have plenty of classrooms, and there would be enough money to be able to hire more teacher so the classrooms would not be over-crowded. Each classroom would also be equipped with its own smart-board, and all of the students would be provided with their own Mac-books.There would also be a several different types of classes that students could choose to attend based on their interests. I would build a huge library inside the school, and a huge auditorium for programs and for drama classes. Everything in the school would be brand new, and it would also have an amazing lunchroom with good cooks. Because I am going to become a coach, I would also build all new sports venues that were awesome, and build a new weight-room.
Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
Jennifer Chamber’s post about the virtual choir was awesome. I did not know that was even possible. None of the singers had ever met with the conductor or the other singers, and everything was done online. It’s amazing to me how they were able to combine all of videos together and make such beautiful music. This shows how much technology has developed!
Teaching in the 21st Century
Kevin Robert’s video on teaching in the 21st century was very interesting. He says that teachers are useless if they only provide students with content, facts, dates, and information then they are obsolete. He says that students can get all of that from Google. He thinks that teachers should focus their curriculum on skills instead of learning facts and content. I am not sure if I agree with him 100%. I think that it is important to incorporate learning the skills of using new technology into the students curriculum, but I also think that as teachers we should be careful to find a balance between the old and the new.
Flipping The Classroom
Flipping the classroom could be a great way to change things up. I think that using this method will benefit students on every learning level. Flipping the classroom also promotes hands-on learning for the students. Katie Gimbar explains the concepts of this method of teaching in her video Why I Flipped My Classroom.
I would consider doing this with my class, but the only problem is that I am going to be an Englins and literature teacher, and I think it will be a lot harder to use if I am teaching literature. Letting the students learn at their own pace and the teacher going from group to group is fine in a math class, but in a literature class, I would have to discuss the readings with the class as a whole. I am not sure how I could apply this method while teaching literature, but I would be willing to try different ways.
I like how you say that teachers should keep a balance between the old and the new. I agree 100%. On flipping the classroom, I think you could use this in a very efficient way. You could send students home with a story to read online. Split up the class into some groups and each group can have a different story and a different theme then have them come in on the next day and put them into their groups to have a book discussion. You can go to each group and talk with them on their book. Just a suggestion. I would also suggest that add some more information to your summaries so people outside the class, if they were to read your blog, they would have a better understanding of what is going on. Overall great blog!
ReplyDelete"...to find a balance between the old and the new. " What is the balance? is it static/ Do you recommend a similar approach for manufacturing, aeronautics, medicine, transportation, communications?
ReplyDelete"...to be an Englins and literature teacher..." English, not Englins
A reading assignment at hoe followed by a discussion in class is a form of a flipped classroom. It is an old technique. Oh, oh. Maybe this is part of your blend. I think the purpose of a flipped approach is to end lectures in class. Not a bad idea I think.
OK. So I have contributed to your blend of old and new. I may have to wash my mouth out.
Thoughtful. Interesting. Provocative. Well done!