This may not come across the way I want it to, but...here goes: My time is precious - don't waste it.
Hooray for this class. Students are treated to a fast-paced class with high expectations from our professors who are also available to help and they've set up a way for students to help other students. I feel a range of emotions when I feel my time is being wasted in class - frustrated, annoyed, agitated, bored, underestimated and angry. In 506 I am learning new things all the time, building on what I learn, applying what I learn, becoming more comfortable with what I learn.
Being a teacher of teachers (or soon-to-be teachers) is an incredible challenge in my opinion. You are dealing with people who are out there in the trenches. They know what it's like and they want real solutions. They can be resistant to change, and they are certainly tired. Thank you for rising to the challenge every week in class and throughout the week on our blogs.
I really feel like I am learning about technology in the English classroom, but also learning about good teaching practices that have little or nothing to do with technology: Keep students engaged. Provide opportunities for creativity and success. Make yourselves available, but give students ways to be responsible for their own work. Model effective collaboration with others. Know your subject area curriculum. Have high expectations for your students. Differentiated instruction (we read, we write, we talk, we listen, we do).
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Wow, Sarah, thank you for sharing your confidence in us with the rest of the world!! How nice is that.
I think what is most important about our work in 506 is that the classroom becomes an open space for creativity and collaboration where students are encouraged to develop their own "projects."
Note what Friedman says about passion and curiousity being the keys that drive engaged learning.
One of the most delightful thiings for me to watch to date in our class is how each of you is moving in new and exciting directions--trying things out--feeling your way--overcoming frustration.
That's a joy for a teacher to experience.
Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and hard work!
Have you thought any more about your project? I did mean it when I said I think you had a perfect opportunity to do some very significant action research in your building.
You may not want to go in that direction but each day you interact w/your new students you have 506 in the back of your mind. You are always juxtaposing what you see kids do/want to do/are expected to do with the challenges in 506.
Investigating kid culture is a very hot topic in ed. research right now...you can do that. KES
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