It doesn’t
feel like the last day of classes. I still have so much to do! Today’s class was
helpful. As we were sitting in the freezing classroom, we heard 5 past MACers
talk about their experiences. It’s nice to hear from teachers from all
different types of schools: public, private, charter, other. The “other” was
interesting. It was interesting how all these schools vary. I wonder what
school type of school I’ll end up in, and I wonder if I’ll have much to compare
it to. I really liked the idea of using cell phones for taking polls in class,
although I don’t know how I feel about cell phone use in class at all. I’ll
have to set some expectations right off the bat. What really surprised me is
the way they spoke about technology. A couple of our guest speakers talked
about teaching students how to use the technology. I never thought about that.
In a way, I figured they’d know how to use it, and we were being taught
technology to keep up with them. It’s not that they don’t know how to use the
technology, it’s that they might not know how to use it for the purpose of the
assignment that is given. I didn’t grow up with Google, it came after I was
already in college. So I was old enough to learn how to use it for what I need,
as well as anything that it gives me, I know I can read. It’s just something to
think about, something to plan for. Mental note stored.
The second
part of the class was… uncomfortable. We were in a cramped room, and the
discussion was, well, not productive. I was surprised at how critical people
had been of class. I’m not sure if I just haven’t talked to those people, or my
blog cohort doesn’t post about it, or what. I was just surprised to hear that
people were being harsh. It scares me. What will my students think of my
teaching and my choices? I put a lot of work into what I’m doing, so if I work
hard on something, and I’m being judged negatively, I don’t know how much of that
I could handle. I don’t mind skepticism or questioning my methods, but… I don’t
know. I guess that’s not the way I wanted this class to end. However, I do look
forward to continuing this class in the fall and learning more techie things.
Hey, Shaza --
ReplyDeleteThe best (of many) tips on cell phones I've learned from Liz Kolb is that you ask kids to put the phone right on the corner of their desk. That way, you can see it at all times. My hunch is that more behavior problems come from kids sneaking a glance at their phones (and trying to hide them!).
For a sneak peek, you might enjoy this slide deck of Liz's:
http://www.slideshare.net/elizkeren/liz-kolb-mame
However, we heartily endorse taking time off, too! :)
I feel you on not wanting the class to end that way, and was very saddened to see the back-and-forth, but in the end know that the student concern about what was not covered was from a genuine sense of obligation to master the craft. Any teacher, be s/he at a high school on the brink or at Harvard, is under *extreme* pressure at all times. An administrator informs you your department might be eliminated, and five minutes later a student challenges your curriculum or writes an eval that calls you the worst non-teacher that ever lived. Parents on the phone threaten to sue or you are denied tenure because you published eleven not twelve articles that year. When you do get complaints from students about what you did not teach, it is more than anything a sign that the student in question is an *excellent* scholar, if indiscrete. From the context of my own foibles, I will pardon the indiscretion, and defer to the excellence.
ReplyDeleteIt actually feels really, really odd that class is over and that on Monday, we're not going to class and actually won't be doing that for 3 or 4 weeks.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy being a teacher. I think we've all picked up on that so far. The first time I had a parent get in my face and tell me I was a bad teacher, I cried for a very long time. There's such a balance between having a curriculum that supports students and teaches the correct content and one that won't have students and parents up in arms.
It seems our blog cohort has been pretty positive. I also did a quick glance and noticed that save 2 people, our group is all cohort A. We've been together in the group classes and some of the hardest things we've faced. Maybe we've just gelled as a group? I'm not quite sure. I think it's okay to question things, like you said, but I personally have a hard time being overly critical of something that I don't know about. This isn't a class in my content area where a teacher is trying to tell me America was a colony of France or the south won the Civil War. Those are facts I know and can refute and argue. This isn't that case. I know a little about technology. I want to be supportive of my cohort members and the other interns at my school, but I can't be too upset over anything with I'm still learning things, even if they're things I don't fully understand or comprehend yet.
It's been a pleasure getting to know you so far, Shaza. I'll be back in Michigan in 10 days or so and in Ann Arbor permanently not long after that. We need to grab coffee or a drink or something. I need to pick the brains of people who aren't humanities teachers:)
Shaza
ReplyDeleteI understand and agree with your uneasy feeling in the second half of the class though I can see why some people would like to have things presented that can have immediate practical application.
The reality is that technical innovations happen so quickly that it's not possible to know what might be available to teachers a year or two from now.
The teachers who are using iPads in their classes didn't have that tool when they were studying to be teachers - the iPad was introduced only a couple of years ago.
So, the best thing is that we get a taste of many aspects of technology currently available and get comfortable with the idea of applying many tools. Then, as new things evolve when we are in our classrooms, we can be early adapters.
Though the class was uncomfortable for many of us, I later reflected on how Jeff and Kristin handled the discussion. They remained calm and engaging and let the conversation flow. Personally, I'm getting a lot out of watching and learning how our teachers teach.
Thank you for all your comments. I just want to make it clear that I was not choosing sides for the second part of class. Rather what made me uncomfortable was the way the discussion occurred. I see both points of view, and I do think that it needed to be addressed. In a way, I'm glad we had it, but not the way we had it. (and I do realize it could have been much, much worse.) And I do agree with you Kevin, the most I've learned is through our teachers' modeling.
ReplyDeleteI think all that you are saying is right on Shaza. It's true the discussion in the awkwardly shaped and cramped room was an "inconvenient truth" if you will. Yes, it seems there are split views floating about technology and our classes. It is so interesting to watch how we watch our own teachers, and wonder how our own students will watch us. Discussion facilitation is truly a craft, and its it's own beast aside from teaching. I know this whole summer experience has got me thinking about nuances one can give off as a teacher. It's not what you say, it's often how you say it. Students pick up on things.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I was pretty pleased with this class and the efforts made by our instructors. Part of being in a learning community is sharing opinions and respectfully agreeing or disagreeing in a tactful way. I think if we take that approach, a safe space is created, and all everyone is looking for is simple understanding. It is hard but important to remember that we are not our ideas, and other people are not their ideas.
I agree with you that the "other" school that was EMU's actual campus (if I understood correctly) was intriguing and the discussion of where the teachers taught was beneficial as it pointed out differences, it was enlightening to see that some schools are definitely what I'm looking for as teacher while others I'm still unsure of like the "other" school. I'm not surprised that got that critical as I had heard from some of our peers that they were less than in love with the class as they didn't see the usefulness in some of the tools, though I tend to disagree with the view that this means the class was unhelpful (we were never going to use ALL the tools and were not all going to use the same tools). The final discussion was definitely uncomfortable in the way it went down, but it was also a good opportunity for us to observe how to handle a situation where our methods and practice come into question.
ReplyDeleteAs for your concern about your students having negative feelings and feeling that you have not made their time worthwhile I hope you don't stress out too much about it as we can't please everyone, but we can try our best and try to get the message across that what we are teaching is worthwhile even if students don't immediately see why. As I've been on a turn of the millennium music kick I'll leave you with these words of wisdom should a student or parent ever complain at your practices, grading or w/e the issue may be (Warning: Link contains "colorful" language of the PG-13 variety):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oz_-VaTHpc8
I think you bring up a really good concern: how will we respond when students criticize our teaching? It will inevitably happen, because some students will eventually not like your teaching method, no matter how good you are. This post started me thinking about how I'll respond to that and how it might effect me. I also liked what you said about teaching students to use the technology in a productive way, as many students will know how to use technology already, but need help using it properly.
ReplyDeleteYea, it was uncomfortable but that is because were not listening to each others sides. At the end of the day, we will agree to disagree. We are all adults and responsible for our own learning. I learned that early- welcome to the club!
ReplyDelete