Note to self: Students will always surprise you.

In my last day in the classroom, I saw one girl working on her paragraph quietly for the whole class. This was the student who had been a constant discipline problem. But on that day, she was intensely focused on her writing. She asked specific questions and asked for clarification on explanations she didn’t understand. She worked right up to the bell while everyone else was running around, happy for the three day weekend. This girl was constantly talking out of turn, refused to even open her book some days at the beinging of the year. Yet, that day she was so focused. I couldn’t say it enough to her: “You did such a good job today!” I hope she really took it to heart.

Teaching Teachers Who Will Experience 1:1 iPad in 2012 →

world-shaker:

The embedded slideshow is a little on the small side, but there’s some interesting content in here. My only complaint is some of it is lacking in context (they mention a tip, but never explain how to do it). Still worth a look, though:

Some highlights:

Tips and Tricks: Slide 4

Knowing 21st Century Students: Slide 6

21st Century Educational Settings: Slide 15

Classroom Setup: Slide 20

Finding Apps: Slide 31

Being App Literate: Slide 38

My App List: Slide 40

Lesson Integrating Technology With Students: Slide 48

Lesson Integrating Technology With Adults: Slide 49

Lists of Apps: Slide 50 to Slide 55

Digital Citizenship: Slide 66

Where was this three days ago when I did my technology project for ED? lol Still some good info!

hey snix.: The Myth of the Digital Native? →

itssnix:

Today, my 8th graders were working with laptops doing research for debates. I had one come up to me and tell me “My internet won’t work.”

Our laptops are old; perhaps there is a problem. So I check.

I go down and click on the internet access bars. A list of available networks pops up. I click on…

I’ve totally seen this in my field experience, kids who just don’t know how to interact with technology, even when they’ve been using it for years! I think the problem is that we assume that all students are tech-savvy now, without realizing that all kids think and process things differently. Yes, kids are more likely than ever to be tech savvy, but that doesn’t mean they all are. I know many of my peers who can barely turn on a computer, and grandparents who can multitask on computers like a pro. We need to get away from the assumption that a person’s age and access to technology makes them a digital native. I’d like to see more research on what makes a person tech-savvy…I feel that it has to do more with how each individual’s brain is wired, rather than a person’s generation.

Teacher Flash Mob!

Fashionable (Future) Teacher: (Field Experience counts, right?)

Dress: Ross - $30 (It reminds me of the Duchess of Cambridge so I love it)

Sweater: Anthropologie too long ago to remember.

Tights: Targert

Boots: Kamik - $40 (When it’s quicker to walk two miles than take the bus, it’s easier just to wear the boots!)

All you other teachers look so lovely!

(Ignore the dirty mirror and the roomie’s mess in the background…)

http://thecalltoteach.tumblr.com/post/17115494054/teach-for-america-from-the-view-of-an-education-major →

sunsetinsweden:

It’s posts like these that make me so infuriated. The problems I have with it are as follows:

Quit with this assumption that TFA only takes people with no classroom experience. I’m an Education major. I served the same 4 years in education as you did. I did at least 200 hours in clinicals. Teach for America is giving me the opportunity to take all of that and use it in an incredibly meaningful way, and it will open up a million doors for me when my two years are up.

Even if I didn’t have that experience, why does it matter? If the people writing TFA-bashing posts genuinely loved education and were passionate about the prosperity of our students, then you should WANT others to be involved in your cause. You should be thankful that such an organization exists that takes people who may not have ever entered a classroom otherwise and opens their eyes to the situation our educational system is in. For instance, those politics majors they’re putting in those classrooms (to which you believe your degree declares you entitled) may end up being the ones who go on to ensure a better future for education after experiencing its problems for themselves. Stop being selfish and bitter and recognize the good that this is doing for the futures of our students.

It’s sad that people feel the need to waste time and effort targeting an organization trying to make a difference rather than focusing on what THEY can do to make a difference.

To respond to your comments: I thought I made it very clear that when I criticize Teach for America, I don’t discount the fact that there are good, dedicated, and passionate people within the organization who have done wonderful things for students. I criticize the organization as a larger entity, the values they hold and the way they go about their business.

1. I was simply going off personal experience and some research of their recruitment. At least at my school, there was a huge push from recruiters coming into nearly all my classes - besides my Education classes. Although it may be different in other places, that made a very big impact on how I viewed their policies.

2. I recognize again that there are teacher in TFA that have made a huge difference. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t disagree with the organization on an ideological level.

3. Thank you for telling me I’m not making a better effort at trying to make a difference, internet stranger.

Also: it was a very personal viewpoint based in feeling and experience.

Testing, Testing, Testing…and a kid trying to escape out the window.

That was my day at Field Experience today.

The kids were taking their state tests today on the computer. These are ELL kids, and a lot of the stuff is just above their ability level. It takes a toll. They tried, they sat there and were troopers but towards the end all of them were staring off and had their heads down.

My CT gave them free time, which was definitely needed. My CT is awesome. She totally remembers what it’s like to be an education student and is so open to any questions and sharing her rationale and thinking about classes. It’s the first time I’ve had such an awesome teacher and I love it!

In the next period, my CT and I were standing out in the hall during passing period. I just happened to look in and see a kid lowering another kid down through a window! It was the first story and it was obviously not forced…more of a “Dude! lower me down” scheme. I immediately shouted “WHAT THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?” I mean, I probably shouldn’t have yelled…but a kid was half out the window. seriously. How do they get these plans into their heads? After the foiled escape plan, the class split up, half were taking the test, the other half were newcomers and were exempt. I worked one on one with a student, which was great.

Overall, I’m getting very skilled in walking around a room - but it’s interesting to see the testing process, especially as it relates to English Language Learners.

Teach for America: from the view of an Education major

I’m gonna be honest:

In my opinion, Teach for America is the fast track for those Whiz kid, overachiever types. I’ve never been one of them. I’ve done well in school, had honors classes I got solid B’s in and had a passion for learning. However, Valedictorian, Student body president and smartest kid in the class…I’ll never be that.

In being an Education major, I’ve committed the gravest sin of all. I’ve just wasted my college education studying…EDUCATION. Now, why would a clever girl like me do that? Why would I go through all the hours of field work and standardized certification tests… when I could just go into Teach for America and get a few weeks of intensive training (which surely, is enough! Those who can’t do, of course, teach!) instead of wasting four years of my college life taking hour bus rides both ways to field experience, being constatnly vigilant about how future employers and students would view my online and real life behavior and being all too aware of how the salary and lifestyle of a teacher will impact my life.

I do all that because I simply love Education. I love it. This is absolutely my vocation and I can’t see myself doing anything else with my life. I made this decision to spend my time learning as much as I can about my future carreer. Yet, one of these whiz kids can just bypass the 1000 hours of classroom time I’ve invested and the certification I’ve worked for…That’s what annoys me. The policies of TFA invalidates all my work. It sometimes makes me feel like I’m wasting my time (Which I know I am not).

Yet, I wouldn’t change my major for anything. I am completely immersed in the world of education, with students and in my own classes. I have some of the best professors at the University and I am in such an amazing community of supportive future educators.

To the people who persist that TFA fills a void in underprivileged communities traditional education students don’t want: I challenge them to see the intense focus my school’s program has on teaching underprivileged students, minority students, exceptional learners, and English Language Learners. Literally every example and case study we’ve ever encountered is based around these types of students. Additionally, nearly every education student I know is absolutely enthused and eager to teach these underprivileged youth. The thing about passionate education students is that they just want to teach: and they’ll do it anywhere they can.

Granted, when I speak about TFA, I mean the larger institution that is Teach for America. NOT the individuals I know work so hard. I admire their desire to teach, even with all the obstacles against them.

Sacramento Diocese celebrating Catholic Schools Week…So Cute!

Last week’s outfit for Field.