Question:
Are we doing what is best for our students or are we doing what is most convenient for us?
My first initial reaction to this question is that most teachers are doing what is more convenient for them. I have seen so many scenarios where the teacher or administrator is doing what is more convenient for them rather than doing what is going to help the student the most. After I read the comments from those who comment on this question I began to think about this question for several aspects. One comment suggested that you may want to always achieve a great outcome and what is best for the student, but in reality that does not always happen. I think that a lot of times things are done out of convenience simply because sometimes there is no other option. Teachers are pushed to make their students grow, learn, and make passing grades on FCAT. There is so much emphasis on this that it seems to take away from what is best for the students. How am I supposed to make my students gain two grade levels in one year when I not even given the right tools to do so? Or what about the days where there is not enough time to spend on particular things that I think would benefit my students? I have been in schools where the day is scheduled down to the last second, students are not allowed to have recess, and data is all that matters. It is hard as an educator to work in this type of environment and truly do what is best for the students without risking your job. In the text is explains how students used to learn versus how students learn today. It seems like no one understands that this is happening and keeps trying to force students to learn in a way that does not work for them. If it were up to me, all my students would be completely computer literate and be able to use play as a means of leaning. Overall I would love to say that every single educator and administrator does what is best for the students…but this is just not true. It is something that I try to do as an educator. I think that once the schools catch up with the technology it will help teachers have the right tools for doing what is good for their students. Education is so political and money driven now that the students are the ones who are suffering. So, overall I think that there are some people who are doing what is best for their students and some who are not. I think that at times you may try to do your best but that isn’t the outcome…but if you are at least attempting to do your best them you are doing what is right for your students.
"In the text is explains how students used to learn versus how students learn today. It seems like no one understands that this is happening and keeps trying to force students to learn in a way that does not work for them."
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly does your text say about these different approaches to learning? I take it you agree, but what are the contrasting approaches you see being forced upon students?
Just curious.
Kelvin
The text says that students are "more media-centric", (p. 15) and that many people feel that students brains have been "rewired" due to the fact that they have grown up in an age where there has always been technology. It also says that students are different from other generations because they "access, absorb, interpret, process, and apply information" in a technology- rich world (p.15). Basicly, schools today were created for the Industrial Age according to the text, so there is a major lack of technology being used to enhance student learning. So, overall, I would agree with this and the fact that I think it can be hard for these students to sit in a classroom and read a textbook that is outdated or boring. As an educator, I even get bored standing up there talking to them all day and really would rather use videos, interactive white boards, or other media to add to the lesson so that the students can be active participants in a way that interests them.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteI think that students need as many tools as possible to grow and learn in the classroom. I feel that as educators it is up to us to find ways to reach the “digital kids”. I think we are responsible to some extent but I feel that the school districts should provide every classroom with smart boards, computers, and completely overhaul the way we teach. Although this is expensive to do I believe it is necessary for the growth of our children. I think the FCAT is a joke and too much time is wasted on studying for this test and not enough time on other important lessons. As teachers we are limited to the resources we are given. It is up to the school district and the state to create a partnership to help us create a learning environment that benefits the children.
Darleen
You wrote, "I have been in schools where the day is scheduled down to the last second, students are not allowed to have recess, and data is all that matters. It is hard as an educator to work in this type of environment and truly do what is best for the students without risking your job."
ReplyDeleteAh yes. I call this "Teach by Numbers." It's the main reason that I said I would never teach in Florida and we see how that turned out:-). It is indeed tricky to do what is best for the student while constrained by the requirements put on us by The Powers That Be. In my experience, these edicts only have two results: making the good teacher more creative to work around the minute-by-minute schedule to meet her students needs or making the bad teacher slightly more tolerable.
How is that helpful?
Kelley
OK, I just saw Darleen's comment and I had to put my two cents in. She said, "I think the FCAT is a joke and too much time is wasted on studying for this test and not enough time on other important lessons."
ReplyDeleteI know this is a huge debate, but I would have to disagree. I've seen what happens when teachers and students aren't held accountable for learning. You end up with students who are practically illiterate and holding a devalued high school diploma simply because they showed up each day.
Like it or not students (and teachers) need accountability. Maybe the FCAT isn't perfect, but you need something to ensure that the high school diploma has worth. You need some measure to show whether a teacher is effective or not. A sense of urgency is needed to get these students ready for the real world, and if the FCAT (or some other state test) provides that kick in the pants, so be it.
At least, that's how I see it.
Kelley