Waiting for Superman

I have to respond to the statements I read on practicaltheory.org. First, teachers have awaited a moment of education reform that actually responds to the needs of the teachers and the students. I hope everyone welcomes education reform on a national level with open arms. But after reading a detailed description of the basis of Waiting for Superman, I see that yet again the teachers are ultimately blamed for the entire steaming heap of unsuccessful initiatives and programs that are forced down our throats (and just as quickly discarded) at an alarming rate. The standards for hiring and keeping teachers should be high and I agree that all students should be privy to the same worthy education. However, the state tests that teachers are forced to teach to have absolutely no basis in reality. They neither account for or accomodate for the diversity of learners in even one single classroom. We are supposed to integrate, modify, associate and diversify learning to extremes. Yet the tests we are preparing these kids for (the same tests that judge us so harshly as "good" or "bad" educators) don't reflect in any way on the actual learning process. They don't account for the ESL students who have just been assimilated into the classroom and don't understand half of what you're saying. They don't account for the special education students who have suddenly been "released" from sheltered learning environments and are expected to instantly learn in a completely altered classroom environment. The tests that are so close now to being the deciding factor as to whether or not a teacher is valuable or dedicated offer no glimpse into the real, working world of a passionate and challenging profession. Nor do they offer true feedback as to the level of learning that is actually occurring in a classroom. I hope that what I've heard about this documentary is untrue, and that Weinstein does not portray teachers as the weak link in the educational chain by spotlighting a few of the burnt out or dispassionate teachers. From what I've read, this does seem to be where he's gone with this film. I hope he remembers a teacher he had somewhere along the way that cared enough to provide the best education for him that was possible. And I look forward to the possibility that his film has any accurate portrayal at all of any of the hard-working and dedicated educators I am familiar with.

Thoughts on Blogging for the Classroom

After reading an article about blogging, I have very conflicted feelings on the matter. I don't have any experience with blogging, other than to come across the occassional blog by mistake in my online quests for science lessons I can use in class. Blogging seems to be a very connected and emotional response to events that are occurring. People seem to blog because they have something important and relevant to say and they welcome the responses of others to their comments. It is very journalistic in nature. And very personal on some level. I absolutely feel like this could change the classroom environment. There is ample opportunity for students to relate to each other, to respond to each other, and to connect in a safe format. However, I don't know if I feel like this is the right forum for an eighth grade class. My students have a lot on their minds, and a lot to say about all that stuff on their minds. That's great, and I welcome the opportunity for them to connect with each other in a structured setting to discuss comments and hear each others' voices. As a matter of fact, my most emotional reaction to the possiblity was the comment made that blogging lends equality to all the voices involved. Everyone has an equal opportunity to post, and read, and be heard. This is great for student involvment. Also, blogs are really easy to use. I find that most of my students are comfortable enough learning about new technologies to actually adapt more quickly than I do. I can teach them something one day and have them point out new applications to me the next. There is an ease of organization that is useful and a simple format that isn't intimidating. Blogging appears to be a great way to teach students about how to be a purposeful participant in a conversation without being insulting (although there does seem to be a fair amount of criticism in the blogging community - at least it is usually backed up with facts). I see many benefits to the use of blogging in the classroom, and I see how it could change the classroom environment. I also see the disadvantages.
The daunting thought of policing their comments and structuring their responses does seem to take away from the inherent purpose of blogging to begin with. If a student has an impassioned response to a certain blog, than it seems like they should be able to respond in a way that expresses their interest. Also, many of my students have very poor writing skills. It would be difficult for them to participate in this type of online conversation. The blogging participant has to be fluent enough in the language, and good enough at writing and composing comments, to be a contributer on any level.
I plan on experimenting with blogging next year to see whether or not this adds or detracts from student participation. Forcing someone to have an opinion is difficult, but maybe my students can come up with a topic they feel passionate enough about (within the scientific community) to blog about. I am using science journals for reflection for the first time this year. That might be a good place to start with blogging. Students can use the blog as their science relflection journal. Hmmmmm...ok. The ideas are starting to roll in. I might jump on this bandwagon...
As a teacher, I see the potential positive impact of blogging and how it could turn the classroom into a more global and interactive environment. This is an amazing thing, for students to see their input read and responded to by people that don't even know them. It also presents a problem when dealing with students on a maturity level that may prevent them from objectively absorbing the input of others and being able to process it without reacting in an inappropriate way. I guess I'll have to find out for myself...