Revolution in Education

  

Original Link:  http://www.techlearning.com/article/40844

When I think about the kind of education I want for my children, I'll refer to this speech given by Sir Ken Robinson.  Not only does Sir Ken Robinson provide a very thoughtful speech about education, I thought his speech in this video was relevant to our current educational system.  In his speech he makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning. This does not mean everyone achieves the same personal mastery for the same standard tests and outcomes. Instead it means creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish.  When will we realize that the old way just doesn't work.  I have two children with very different sets of talents and skills.  One is a very creative and loves art, music and dance.  The other is finding is creative niche through technology and he loves puzzles.  They learn differently. They enjoy different things.  Why can't they both be given the type of education that will sharpen their talents and creativity?  Why do they both have to take classes they don't enjoy?  Take tests on subjects they have no interest in pursuing in the future.  The whole notion that we must provide the same education for every child is a bunch of nonsense.  The future has to better than the past or we fall behind.  I would like to see more smaller learning communities of schools that emphasizes certain  areas of interest for students. 

Penalty for Sexting

Original Link:  http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/07/12/37mct_casexting.h30.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mrss

I can see other states adopt similar measures to deal with students who get caught sexting in school.   Suspending and possibly expelling students who get caught sexting is a necessary penalty because it makes students understand the consequences of sending dirty, obscene, messages over their cell phones.  Giving students more access to technology has it share of drawbacks and sexting is probably at the top of that list.  I've had my share of encounters with students who I catch using their cell phones in class and the majority of the time when I turn the phone in, there's inappropriate pictures or text on them.  I used to look at the photos when I catch a student violating the use of a cell phone in class but I don't anymore.  This type of stance by the California law makers is a good approach to this serious problem.  If we want our students to have more technology access, we must police them much like cyberpolice use the internet to catch online predators. 

Virtual School May Drain Taxpayers Funds In Tennessee

Original Link: http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/07/25/37mct_tnvirtual.h30.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mrss

This is just as much of a political issue as it is an educational issue.  This virtual school is a for profit business that uses online access to recruit students throughout the state of Tennessee and will use state obligated funds of over $5000 per student to pay for it.  Sounds to me like more of a money making business than an actual "good idea", which is exactly what the state of Tennessee Republican politicians are saying.  The funny thing about this plan is that if a student in grades K-8 wanted to enroll in the virtual school in the state of Tennessee it would cost just about the same as it would to go to a community college and the state will pay the bill.

To top it off, only 4% of the funds will go to the school district that was awarded the contract.  The other 96% of the funding will go to the COMPANY.  With the issue over tax cuts, public funding reduced, and smaller government continue to surface in congress, this idea is another way of cutting diminishing the value of teachers and unions in this country.  If these politicians truly wanted to make education better they would make the program free for any student and not allow companies to benefit from this kind of thing. 

Are You Tapping Into Prior Knowledge Often Enough In Your Classroom?

Original Post:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/prior-knowledge-tapping-into-often-classroom-rebecca-alber

Making learning a connection between what students know and how students learn new information is a necessity in the classroom.  Whenever you as a teacher encounter a student who has difficulty learning new information, it's important to find out how much prior knowledge they have on a similar area so that the student build a relationship between new information and prior knowledge.  I agree that the use of  brainstorming techniques like concept mapping, KWL charts, and other brainstorming techniques help students gain visual understanding to new concepts.  I would like to think that the use of technology also adds an extra dimension to the way students explore and discover new information.

What Does It Take To Be Great

Original Post:  http://www.edutopia.org/teacher-excellence-part-one

This article was great.  The desire to be great is what every person strives for, regardless of their profession.  The million dollar question is how?  How do you become great?  Sure, some people are blessed with certain God given abilities.  Like the ability to quickly understand how to solve complex math problems, the ability to sing, or play an instrument or play basketball.  I remember a friend from high school that was so smart that everyone knew that person would become the next millionaire entrepreneur, or the next brain surgeon.  What was so extraordinary about my friend was that he made it look so easy. Regardless of the subject, he would always know the answer.  For the rest of us ordinary folks who didn't have that luxury, we had to study twice as hard to just to pass the course. 

What I realize now that I didn't understand back then was that because I put in the extra time to work hard, I made better grades in the classroom and I now apply hard work to my life. So it really doesn't manner how you got there, everyone can be great.  Now I truly believe that some people are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.  I

Student Commitment Depends on Teacher Commitment

Original Link: 
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-commitment-depends-on-teachers-ben-johnson?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Learning in the classroom is the responsibility of the teacher and every teacher must remember that.  I enjoyed reading this article, not because it added some new ideas, or concepts or beliefs about how to be a better teacher.  The reason why I enjoyed reading this article is because it simply reminds us all of what the real reason for teaching is and that is to ensure that all students will learn.  It's that simple yet it's so important to remember.  Especially when you're having one of those days, when nothing is going right.  Students feed off the energy that the teacher gives off.  When the teacher has a positive attitude towards the students then it creates an healthy, comfortable environment for students. I keep positive quotes and things like pictures to keep me motivated.  I think that when you remain positive and motivated you enable yourself to become a better teacher in the classroom and a greater influence for your students. 

The Business Impact of Social Media

Original Link: 
http://www.readwriteweb.com/enterprise/2011/07/the-business-impact-of-social-media.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

So I guess I was wrong.  I can admit it.  I predicted that because people in the world today are only interested in something for just a short while, that I thought that social media was going to be a fad.  I guess not.  Not only does social media outlets offer new ways in which people communicate with each other, now I see that companies think that investing in social media is very important to their marketing and promotion of their products and services.  And it only going to get bigger.   When you think of social media, you think of websites like youtube, twitter and facebook.  What many people don't realize is how many blogs, wikis, online video and podcast websites have emerged over the last few years.  In order to compete in this global economy of today companies have to invest in these media outlets in order to remain relevant. 

Simulation Nation: The Promise of Virtual Learning Activities

Original Link:  http://www.edutopia.org/computer-simulations-virtual-learning

Great Post.  Being a business education teacher, I'm always searching for quality business simulation games for my students because it's a great way to give them real world entrepreneurial, financial, and management experiences.   However, many of the free business simulation games that I've experienced are limited to being more interactive than simulation based.  Schools should be investing in more technology based activities instead of continuing to pour money into new textbooks.  And not only for the courses that I teach. 

Computer simulation activities benefit every subject in schools.  From math, to literacy, to science, the use of simulations can help students learn complex content.  I especially like the fact that was mentioned in the post of how professionals use simulations all the time.  From doctors simulating the effects of drugs, to weather forecasters simulating the effects of climate change.   In a lot of ways simulation is like performance based activities because they require students to be actively engaged in the learning process.  Non-traditional ways in which students learn today is primarily through technology.  Schools have to catch up.  Many school administrators are so afraid of students misusing their cell phones or computers because they may cause a distraction to their learning process, that they are unwilling and unable to understand the endless opportunities that exist for students to continue to learn and grow in this technology driven society. 



 

The Absolute Awesomeness of Field Trips

Original Link:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/field-trips-absolute-awesomeness-elena-aguilar?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Field trips are great opportunities to connect the classroom learning to real experiences.  For teachers to get students out of their familiar surroundings and into different neighborhoods, cities, and natural environments is something I've had the opportunity to experience when I take my students to the FBLA Student Leadership Conference every year.  I have seen first hand how field trips can open doors to a new way of thinking for many students. Many of my students have never been out of their city.  This post has got me to think about planning other field trips in the future.  It was mentioned that when you plan your trips in the summer you have enough time to raise money.  This is something I'm going to do in the future.  

Do you believe Cell Phones Causes Cancer?

Original Article:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-07-02/mobile-phone-use-may-have-no-impact-on-cancer-risk-review-finds.html

So according to The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection’s committee on epidemiology, cell phones may not increase the risk of brain cancer   Well I guess that ends the question.  Makes you wonder though, who is the driving force behind these researches?  Just last month it was all over the news, "Cell Phones Causes Cancer". 

If research can prove that cell phones causes cancer then pharmaceutical companies would benefit because more people will become potential cancer patients or at the very lest cancer prevention patents.  On the other had if you go with this recent study that cell phones doesn't cause cancer, then of course cell phone companies benefit.  I never really buy into these types of innuendo.  Sounds more like politics than science.  I, like millions of other people,  will continue to talk, surf, and play games on my cell phone. 

Would You Invest In Zynga Games

Original Article:   http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/as_a_company_zynga_has.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

This is the all important question investors will have after hearing the news about Zynga filing for IPO today.  When I first heard the news of  this I had to go and research this company and I was stunned by what I discovered.  You mean the tell me that Zynga is the company that created the popular Farmville game on Facebook, has made over 1.5 billion dollars since its inception in 2007!   What!  You Gotta B Kiddin Me!  I just couldn't believe it.  How can a 4 year old company be that successful?  Two words Technology Games.  This is what is driving economy these days. 

Technology and Games has sort of taken over and replaced neighborhood outdoor activities and has totally consumed our time.  Just last week I had to tell the little girl that lives down the street that my daughter couldn't come outside because we were playing the Wii video game.   The news of Zynga has gotten my attention and I am now little curious to see just how successful this company will be when it is traded on the market.  For many investors like myself who didn't get a chance to make money off of Google or Apple, the success of Zynga will be used as a gauge to what Facebook will do when it becomes a publicly traded company. 

Making Classrooms Fun

 Original Article: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/debunking-classroom-myths-ben-johnson?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

I find this article to be not only inspiring for teachers but it should be what every teacher strives for.  Reading this article made me think back to when I first became a teacher.  I was mean.  I was tough.  I never smiled.  I wanted to show my students that I was a serious teacher and they weren't about to disrupt my classroom like they do in all of them other classes.    Over the years I've loosen up a bit however, I still maintain a well run, tight shipped, my way or the highway approach.  I guess this is mainly because I teach at a school where the majority of students live in at risk environments.  Just because you may have your share of discipline problems, as a teacher you shouldn't be closed to idea of making your classroom an enjoyable, fun learning environment.  I never really thought of it that way.  I've been so concerned with maintaining proper classroom management and less concern with whether or not my students enjoyed my classes.