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Review the video at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
After having heard Sir Ken Robinson’s observations, respond to this question:
What are the implications of Robinson’s observations for you, as you consider how to approach the craft of teaching?
Had never heard of Blind Lemon Jefferson or Relient K. Have now listened to both. Better informed... Thanks for broadening my horizons.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed watching this video. I too do agree with his theory that much of the way people think people think is a myth and to some extent if we do not stop teaching our students to the test we will loose them and and keep the ADHD rate rising. I know I need to make my classroom lively and keep the students awake and not in the zombie state. I also agree that some students need to be with other age groups and school should not be so "industrialized." Collaboration is something that is great when we need ideas but I am not sure how we can assess the students if all independent work is eliminated. I would like to go to one of his presentations; because, it does seem like he knows what he is talking about and that thoughts and ways do need to be modified some.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that I should encourage divergent thinking i class,so the children will have the ability to see ideas from different viewpoints without there having to be an answer that is correct. Also the point is to engage the students and challenge them to think outside of the box. The system has to change, but with the new focus on standardized tests, the teacher is help responsible to the test scores of their students. I will try to encourage aesthetic experiences so my students can experience learning instead of being robotic and only giving the standard answers. Divergent thinking should be encouraged as a positive way to think in class. One real implication is that to encourage thinking that is not considered academic may cause me to be at odds with the administration of the school in which I may teach.
ReplyDeleteI also think that as a state we are headed for a situation in which most of the students will know the same basic facts, and therefore will not have free open discussion amongst the outgoing high school seniors. Asia revisited.
ReplyDelete@JJ: Do you think it has to be one or the other? Facts OR divergent thinking?
ReplyDeletewade
ReplyDeleteimplications : promotion of activities, environments, situations that drive divergent thinking. Chess has proven awfully successful, for one. I, like a few of us, already manage kids on these meds.
Eye-opening geography lesson.
I think that the facts are important, but by using divergent thinking methods, the students can learn to gain the facts through a variety of different thought processes. I think sometimes historical facts or so called facts usually come from the culture which was predominate at the time. So facts can change depending on the view a person is talking them from. Most ideas should be viewed from more than one point of view.
ReplyDeletesp.. talking-taking
ReplyDeletewade
ReplyDeleteamen, Joel.
Haven't historians begged for years to get the 'rest of the story' into textbooks? currently, TX just dropped Social Studies TEKS that include Cesar Chavez (and Thurgood Marshall, I believe); rest assured, Rush Limbaugh is now 'essential knowledge'....or 'skill'.
yes, kids' learning should not be restricted
@SP: you really don't have to go to one of Sir Robinson's sessions. All you gotta do is Google him and enjoy the learning.
ReplyDeleteOf the infinite number of ways to break down the current education system, I like the way he chooses to interpret the pillars of the current education system to be "economy" and "culture". His observation about the arts being ignored by the current education system definitely reflects my own personal experiences; I don't remember engaging the humanities until college. I believe that his opinion that psychostimulants are being grossly overused is dead-on; having worked in several pharmacies in a few states, I have filled a ridiculous amount of these medications and seen many blank stares from kids in a state of "Adderall stupor". As an educator I will make it my priority to analyze and reanalyze my teaching methods to increase the effectiveness of my teaching and the engagement of my students. I will exhaust all possible alternatives long before telling a parent to have their child tested for ADHD. I am not saying that ADHD is not a real learning disorder, but I am saying that since the beginning of time the majority of kids have tended to run on the "hyper" side of the spectrum. Getting off that rant, another observation that will definitely help me develop my mindset as an educator is that our current system puts entirely too much emphasis on standardized tests rather than cultivating creativity. I envision my future class room as hopefully radically engaging and helping students develop creative problem solving strategies for challenges in and out of the classroom. I can't control what the state defines as curriculum or how my students will be tested on this curriculum, I can control how my students will learn and encourage a socially interactive environment within the classroom
ReplyDeletePrompt #3 has now been posted.
ReplyDeleteIt is important for me as a teacher to make sure the students are prepared for their tests.But you cant let that get in the way of making the learning environment better instead of just a dull basic classroom environment. There is no doubt that our kids have more distractions now than ever. It is crucial that we are able as teachers to find a way to make learning happen whether it be beacuse of ADHD or just distracted kids. Divergent thinking is the best way to get kids involved as long as its in postive way like joel mentioned.
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said... The video made me consider what type of educator I want to be. Do I settle for being mediocre and accept achievement of the standardized test or do I foster creativity and divergent thinking in my students? I believe the students deserve every opportunity to excel and surpass the expectations of the system which tries to define their potential.
ReplyDeleteCG
You have to approach the craft of teaching in today's world differently any other time. You have to somehow educate the students for an everyday changing culture. What is true today,might not be true tomorrow. You as the teacher have to educate the students well enough for them to be able to create their own opinions about things. You also have to try to teach through the so called "Technology Age." That is how I describe it. Bringing in more technology to teach the past will better benefit the students.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as the teacher, you have to be able to keep personal feelings out of the way from teaching. You have to teach everyone in the class and try not to alienate any of the students. Keeping the whole class thinking and keep their minds on "tilt" will help the teachers have a high success rate.