TeacherAde

Maintaining High Expectations

2013-02-08T10:21:00.000-05:00

I know of classrooms where the teacher goes over every assignment with the class and holds it in a folder for the students so that it is not lost in their notebooks and then on the day of the test, the teacher allows the students to use any of the materials in their folder to answer the test (including the study guide).

I'm sure you can imagine what the grades looked like. If you are imagining all A's your way off. The students still failed in embarrassing numbers.

This can leave a teacher feeling completely hopeless. If you give the students the answers to the test and allow them to use those answers while taking the test and they still have major issues...then most educators are out of ideas that can help the students pass.

"They can't even cheat to pass!"

They throw their hands up with frustration and sit in the corner of the lunchroom during faculty meetings rolling their eyes at the administration who proposes new ideas to help the students.

If you have been in education very long you can probably imagine a similar scenario. This is an absurdity on a college campus where bright young educators are preparing to change the world.

They have such high expectations. They would never allow students to go through their class without being challenged.

The level of expectation is generally higher for a new teacher than a veteran teacher who "knows" what the students are capable of accomplishing.

The difference is that the new teachers haven't failed to meet their expectations.

The general trend of a teachers career is to start out with high expectations only to fail miserably, then to lower the expectations. That trend continues until at some point the expectations level off with the results.

The inherent problem is that we stigmatize failure to a degree that we expect less in order to succeed. (tweetable)

I tend to agree with the new teacher mindset. I know that it can be difficult to always fail, however failure is only bad when you do not learn from it. Make adjustments, tweak the way you teach, or your classroom policies, but don't give up.

If we shoot for the stars and land on the moon...did we really fail?

If we shoot for the status quo and make it, did we really succeed?

Maintain your high expectations in the face of failure

New Years Themes

2013-01-02T15:37:00.004-05:00

I normally try to make resolutions for the new year that look something like this.

I have since been introduced to a new concept by +Chris Brogan for New Years Resolutions. Instead of making generic resolutions that fall apart weeks into a year, you set a theme/vision for your goals.

I really like the idea and plan to give it a try this year. You simply choose three words that make up your vision and help you narrow or focus your goals.

My Three Words:

Drive - Motivation, determination, will power, endurance. This year I want to focus on doing more with the time that I have. I want to stay in drive mode...I don't want to have to gear up for everything that I do. Driven people are more passionate about their work and are able produce better quality. (here is another kind of Drive)

Finish - I am tired of not getting completely done with the projects I start. I want to finish things and move on to new tasks. This is probably going to be the most difficult theme for me. I start so many different things that I leave unfinished. No more. I would be ashamed to tell you how many "draft" posts I have started and not finished. I am going to focus on my tasks until I get them checked off.

Enjoy - This is an easy one and yet so many people struggle with it. Life is not worth the effort and work you put into it if you do not take time to enjoy those sweet moments that movie directors are able to capture. You know when the violins start playing that slow music full of harmony? Anyway, I am planning to enjoy life because we are more likely to do the things we plan to do.

Chrome Apps Package

2012-12-27T11:00:00.000-05:00

This is another addition to Technology Thursday. On Thursdays we will be highlighting a different online technology that Teachers can put to use in the classroom. You can find more articles on the Technology page.

Teachers are very busy and don't have free time to test apps to see if they are suitable for their class. It is hard to know where to find the quality apps for education that can really enhance your class without digging through a ton of coloring pages apps.

Google has created "packs" of apps that are best utilized in each school setting elementary, middle, and high school. Follow this link to take a look at each.

The page was designed for schools that are considering or have purchased Google Chromebooks for the Classroom. The apps listed range from free to freemium (free but costs for premium features) to paid. None-the-less, it is a nice place to look to find quality web apps for your class.

Course Evaluations...Now Not Later

2012-12-19T10:46:00.003-05:00

This article is a part of the Pedagogy section on the "Philosophy" page. The intent of these articles is to help teachers use proven methods of teaching to improve student performance.

At the end of a semester it is common on most college campuses to give course/instructor evaluations.

It is an opportunity for students to voice their unbridled opinion of the course they just finished and the instructor who taught it.

The typical questions look something like this:

What were the strengths of this course?
What were the weaknesses of this course?
Did the professor treat the students fairly?

Here is a sample evaluation from Glencoe.

Colleges do this to think reflectively on the effectiveness of a course. Evaluations allow schools to improve courses and determine if staff is doing a good job.

I think that course evaluations are great for reflection. Students are able to voice their opinions and give real feedback on their education. That is powerful.

Just one problem.

They are given at the end of the course.

This tool is so ill timed that it basically defeats its purpose. If you want to make changes to your course do it now.

If your on a sinking ship, don't wait until your at the bottom of the ocean to fix the holes...start repairing now!

An innovative way to do this is through Google Forms. Allow students to give you their opinion of your class and organizes responses conveniently in a spreadsheet.

Christmas break is a great time to get feedback from your students.

The Difference a Great Teacher Can Make

2012-12-18T04:00:00.000-05:00

Infographics are neat visual ways to communicate a lot of information and data in a concise manner. TeacherAde finds the best ones on the web that deal with education and shares a new one once a month. You can find all of the infographics on the Resources page and under "Infographics".

If you have ever wondered about your influence on the life of children then you will find this research by Harvard to be pretty interesting. They seem to be able to quantify the impact of great teachers.

This infographic was created and shared by Teacher Certification Degrees

Are You Sure About Makeup Work?

2012-12-15T09:58:00.000-05:00

This is an addition to the Philosophy page at TA where we look at common practices in education that may not always be the best practice. You can find similar posts under the "Are You Sure About..." section.

Most teachers that I know do not allow students to make up a test without the proper documentation. A doctors note that has been signed and notarized is what you will need to make up a test.

My question is why?

Whenever I discuss this topic with other teachers they usually contend that students will take advantage of a teacher who allows them to make up any grade especially tests. The students will not study because if they perform poorly then they just make it up later. Student's do not learn to be accountable for themselves and their actions.

They need to learn the consequences of not studying or preparing for a test.

I just am not so sure that we are not teaching a far worse lesson. Many of these students who need to make up a test or homework assignment feel like it is pointless to pay attention. They have developed an attitude of failure.

What I believe:

If a student does study and does learn the material for a course, then they should have an opportunity to demonstrate that knowledge and it should be reflected in the students grade. EVEN IF THEY LEARN THE MATERIAL AFTER THE INITIAL TEST.
If a student fails a test and no opportunity exists to improve their grade they will not try to learn what they performed so poorly on! We give students motivation to learn what they missed when we allow credit for it.
Cheating is more of an issue in classes where opportunity is not given. (cheating still exists when there is opportunity to make up a grade, but it is less likely if you can make it up)

It's not "fair" to the students who do study and who do things "the right way" for everyone else to make up their grades.

Everyone in the class has the same opportunity. The students who fail are not the only ones who have an opportunity to make a better grade, the students who make a 91 can try for a 100, the students who make a 74 can try to improve for a 96.

This is not a way to get everyone in your class to pass...this is a way to get everyone in your class an opportunity to improve their education.

Ideally student's would have the intrinsic motivation to learn all the material that they are taught but when that isn't the case...Give them a reason to learn what they missed.

Did you ever correct your final papers to fix your errors? Would you if it could have been turned back in for a better grade?

Did you go over the questions that you missed on the tests? Would you have if you could learn what you missed and retake the test?

You will probably have students take advantage of you if you allow them to make up their work, but you will definitely have students quit on you if you don't.

What do you think? Should students be allowed to make up work? If so what do you do to keep them from taking advantage of that?

Why Bother Leaving the House?

2012-12-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

This is a feature at TA, that shares TED talks that can help you be a better educator. These posts will be archived on the Philosophy page. The general focus is Education but are not limited to that. They can include other things as well.

An interesting question, isn't it? There is no specific need to leave our homes. We could do everything from sightseeing to ordering food all from the comfort of our homes. But does the immediacy of information and resources stifle our ability to imagine and create?

Ben Saunders a modern day explorer describes the imagination with the unknown and the fascination with mountains.

I have to agree with Ben about the need for students to actually interact with the world in which we live (I don't know anyone who is against that)

The reason I bring this up is because of the emphasis put on online education. Why should our students bother leaving the house for school? Is there something about being at school that helps students? Are students that are home schooled missing out on something?

The Ability to Change Your Surroundings

2012-11-07T13:59:00.001-05:00

This is a article is a part of the Teachers Lounge page under the "Motivational" heading where we try to share different stories that will make you want to keep teaching. That is what a lounge is about, a place to rest and gear up for more teaching.

I have been a naturally pessimistic person for the majority of my life. I use a negative attitude to protect myself (it is the wall I put up).

The Logic:

If I have low expectations and events turnout to be bad...then it isn't a disappointment.
If I have low expectations and events turnout to be good...then it is a success.
If I have high expectations and events turnout to be good...then it is still a success
If I have high expectations and events turnout to be bad...I enter into a self-loathing phase.

I have never gotten excited about voting because I do not have a voice. I am 1 out of nearly 4,000,000 voters in my state alone. My vote has no impact.

For whatever reason I was excited this year to support the 3rd party candidate Gary Johnson.

I was excited to see the impact of my vote on TV as the polls reported the numbers. Much to my dismay, Johnson didn't get a single mention on any station that I saw.

I woke up and the first thing I tweeted was about how little impact I have on America. Then I saw this:

We have the power to change our surroundings no matter how small we are.

Really all we have to do is sit up straight and we will have an impact.

Note to Teachers:

Your students are individuals. Treat them as such. Let them all know that they do have a voice and they can make a difference.

They have the ability to change their surroundings. You may need to remind them to check their attitudes from time to time...but it is so crucial to understand the important things.

InstallFree Nexus

2012-10-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

This is another addition to Technology Thursday. On Thursdays we will be highlighting a different online technology that Teachers can put to use in the classroom. You can find more articles on the Technology page.

I have updated this from what was a great service. Installfree nexus allowed you to use Microsoft office in the cloud however, it has been purchased by another company and no longer exists for free.

The First Question in the Debate

2012-10-19T14:56:00.002-04:00

Ranting can be healthy in moderation. In life as well as in education, their are injustices, problems, and things that are just not right. Once a month TeacherAde tries to share a rant that addresses some issue that deserves thoughtful consideration. If you would like to rant on TA contact me at mjbyrd4@gmail.com

A few nights ago we all (or a lot of us) watched the second presidential debate. I was not very excited about the debate because I knew education would not be a primary topic in the economic state that we are in.

Much to my surprise the very first topic was on college graduates and the two candidates did not play nice. The below conversation ensued and I began to fume!!!

I paraphrase.

Jeremy Epstein: I am told that I will not be able to get a job when I graduate college. What do you plan to do as president to help college grads?

Mitt Romney: I'll create more jobs and meanwhile I will make sure you can get loans that you can work off after you get a job I'll create for you. When do you graduate?

Jeremy: 2014

Mitt: Call me. I'll make sure you get a job.

Barack Obama: Don't listen to those who say you want get a job. Your future is bright. We will definitely help you Jeremy. First, I plan to bring high paying manufacturing jobs back to America so that we can all go to work. Second,We need to get more people educated. Third, Energy is key for your education. I'll tax the rich people to help pay for your education :)!

Candy Crowley (debate moderator): Jeremy doesn't graduate for 2 years...what will you do for those who are graduating right now?

Mitt: Uh...well the president hasn't put these people back to work. Uh...I've got a 5-point plan. I'll create more jobs! Detroit should have gone through bankruptcy so they could get stronger!!!!

Barack: Liar!!! Detroit can't go bankrupt and get stronger...and don't take my word for it. Your policies (and yes I am the incumbent) are the reason everything is so bad. I'm like Robin Hood (take from the rich and give to the poor) and your like Ironman (rich and use your money for your own causes). That is the way you have been. America ask yourself...who would you rather be president Robin Hood or Ironman?

Candy: Well since you didn't address the question we will move on...

Mitt: Nothing the president just said is true.

Candy: Shut up! We're moving on.

(to fact check my paraphrasing watch the first 10 min)

Now my rant:

So I was pretty excited to hear the topic of education come up right off the bat....but...not so excited that the candidates dodged Jeremy all together.

My problem with the answer that they give to Jeremy is it is completely rhetoric (not that I expect much else). Jeremy asked why I am I wasting my time and money (or someones money) in college if I can't get a job?

And they both said don't worry we'll create jobs. Of course the jobs that were discussed were manufacturing jobs.

Side note: The manufacturing jobs are no longer available because they were shipped overseas. Why? Because they were low skill, low wage jobs and even lower wages wherever they are now! Suppose we can bring them back...Jeremy's college degree is really necessary for these jobs.

Mitt promised more jobs and personally guarantees Jeremy a job and leaves it at that... Barack laid out 4 things he would do. Lets take a look:

We have to create more jobs - Yes that's brilliant, I am no longer in doubt. I am sorry for asking such a simple question.
We have to educate more people - It's not enough that you are having problems finding a job but I want to increase your competition by getting even more college grads.
We have to make our own energy - Are you even talking about education anymore?
We have to pay for it by taxing the rich - Okay that's fair.

It is so frustrating to see two candidates who do not have any concern for the college graduates or the exorbitant tuition hikes we have seen. In fact they would prefer students to continue to pay these prices despite the fact that a college education is no longer a step above the crowd.

Everyone and their brother has a bachelors degree. It is an diluted degree. 50 years ago no one had a bachelors degree and it made you significantly better than your competition, however that is not true any longer. You can now get MIT, Stanford, and Harvard education for free online/youtube. It is not the education that has value...it is the degree.

Google Drive

2012-10-18T11:21:00.000-04:00

Google Drive is the updated version of Google Docs. It has taken all the great things from docs...cloud storage, real-time editing, and online publishing and added more space and created the offline version.

With Google Drive you also have the option of downloading the application on to your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. It is also available for the ipad/iphone. Then you can drag and drop files into your Drive.

What is great about Drive is the apps that are designed for Drive. Now Drive is the ultimate filling cabinet for your computer.

Videos, images, presentations, docs, spreadsheets, forms, script (for developers), and more with apps made for Google Drive.

Google Chrome

2012-10-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

This is another addition to Technology Thursday. On Thursdays we will be highlighting a different online technology that Teachers can put to use in the classroom. You can find more articles on the Technology page.

Chrome is a web browser made by Google. A web browser is like the surf board for web surfing. It is the thing that gets you to where you are going on the internet. The better you surf board...the better your surfing experience.

There are a few different web browsers that you are probably know:

Why use Google Chrome if all of these browsers perform the same task? or Why is Chrome the better surf board?

Well, Google Chrome gives several reasons why it is better than the other browsers...but I use it because it works seamlessly with the Google Apps platform, it was developed by Google and:

The Chrome Webstore - It shouldn't be called a store. To get things at a store you need money...not at the Chrome webstore. It is a clearing house of tools and products that you can access via the web. The items you want are displayed on the "new tab"screens.
You can view your recent browsing content on different devices - Say you are browsing the web before work and you look up and it is time to leave the house...when you get to work you can open up all the tabs you were just viewing at home...or on your phone/tablet.
You can search Google in the url box - I love Google search and I love that I do not have to be on the Google homepage to perform a search...I just type my search terms in the top and I will either see the website I want or I press enter and perform a Google search.

A short video/commercial for Chrome!

Are You Sure About Standardized Tests?

2012-10-06T11:15:00.001-04:00

We "need" to test students to be able to assess what they know.

But why do students tend to perform so poorly on tests?

Is it nerves or something else?

Comedian Daniel Tosh thinks "Bad Test Takers" are just stupid.

"Don't you love it in school when people say 'Oh, I'm a bad test taker'? You mean you're stupid. Oh, you struggle with that part where we find out what you know? I can totally relate, because, I'm a brilliant painter minus my god awful brush strokes. Oh how the masterpiece is crystal [in my head], but once paint hits canvas, I develop parkinson's."

We have seen an increase in high stakes testing which causes many students to stress which often results in poor scores.

I have also seen a number of teachers focus entire lessons on test taking strategy.

Why?

Tests make schools and teachers more accountable. Comparing learning and teacher effectiveness in two separate regions can only be done when the students are tested over the same content. We can then promote more rigorous standards!

We pay an awful lot of attention to tests.

What can tests reveal to us?

What the students have/haven't learned
If the teacher is effective in instruction

What can't test reveal to us?

What the students have/haven't learned

I know it is the same but tests are a sampling of student learning. While a test may show good indication of a student's intelligence it is not the whole. Tests are a sample of what students have retained but they do not cover everything and so it is difficult to say authoritatively what a student knows with a small sample of test questions.

If the teacher is effective in instruction

Tests at one time were good indications of this but these days teachers are "teaching to the test". So it is a little more difficult to assess teacher effectiveness when they have in a sense cheated the system.

Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

2012-10-01T15:45:00.002-04:00

This is a feature at TA, that shares TED talks that can help you be a better educator. These posts will be archived on the Philosophy page. The general focus is Education but are not limited to that. They can include other things as well.

The power of your body language is astounding. It has numerous implications for teachers.

Think about the difference a strong and confident presence can make for a teacher.

The interview for your teaching position.
The presentation you make to your colleagues.
Discussing a students behavior/learning problems to their parents.

Amy Cuddy gives a powerful talk about the difference our non-verbal language can make on others...and ourselves. Please Enjoy:

Making Problem Behavior Not a Problem

2012-09-06T11:22:00.000-04:00

I was listening to Freakonomics Radio on Stitcher where the hosts discussed drinking in college.

Alcohol abuse can be a serious problem and should not be taken lightly. That is why most colleges take the stance that alcohol is not helping achieve the academic standards of their school...so they do not allow the sale of alcohol at sporting events.

Understandable.

As well as naive.

West Virginia noticed that students were still getting drunk...alot!

So they changed 2 of their policies. First, they stopped allowing re-entry into the stadiums after you leave (i.e. no leaving for halftime to drink and coming back in) and second, they started selling alcohol at games.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME! THAT IS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS HOW CAN YOU ALLOW IT?

Turns out, they have seen a drop in arrests on game day...35% less.

Seems like educators could learn something from this.

Hopefully students aren't smuggling beer into your class. However many teachers have rules that students love to break.

No food or drink in the classroom
No Gum
No Cell Phones/texting/web-surfing
No talking or passing notes
No enjoying school

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the intent of rules like the ones listed above is that they can be a distraction. But also naive.

Student's will stop at no length to get around your rules.

The pursuit to get what they want is more distracting than the behavior.

The problem is...you give an inch and they will take a mile.

Students take advantage of nice/easy going teachers.

I'm not suggesting you throw rules out the window. Sound classroom management is key to having a positive learning environment for your students.

But fighting about chewing gum may not make the most sense...you may have less problems if you allow it than you would if you disallow it.

StoryCorps: Every Voice Matters

2012-09-04T16:48:00.000-04:00

This post can be found on the Resources Page under the "Service Groups" heading. If you would like to share a Service Group please contact me on twitter or Goggle+.

When I found this website/organization I knew that I wanted to share it with others...especially teachers.

The StoryCorps is a group that is dedicated to finding, sharing, and archiving the voices of Americans with all backgrounds and beliefs.

This is just one way of many to teach diversity/culture.

They highlight great clips that tell stories in a few minutes that really caught my imagination.

StoryCorps has a few different initiatives that you can find on their website. One past initiative was the National Teachers Initiative where you can find stories about teachers and students.

Here is a really good one. It can serve as a reminder of what is important.

Best of August

2012-08-31T11:44:00.003-04:00

This post outlines the best articles that have been on TeacherAde, and it also includes other interesting articles that I have found on other blogs or other sites. Enjoy.

I can't believe that this year is already 2/3's over. It seems like a month ago I was making New Years Resolutions. Well...here we go with the best of August.

Gmail: A Better Way to Mail

2012-08-30T13:48:00.002-04:00

This is another addition to Technology Thursday. On Thursdays we will be highlighting a different online technology that Teachers can put to use in the classroom. You can find more articles on the Technology page.

Email is an integral part of modern communication. Despite the emergence of social media...email is not dying.

Gmail or email by Google is the best possible mail provider on the web.

It comes as a part of the suite of apps you receive when signing up for a Google Account.

Why is Gmail better?

Ability to manage multiple accounts in one email. You are probably more than a teacher...you probably have more than one email that you are identified with. With Gmail you can forward multiple emails to one inbox and respond to those emails as any account that you have set-up.
Syncs with Tasks in Google Calendar
Able to arrange Contacts into groups (I know you can do this in most emails but still a nice tool)
Syncs with Android phone (contacts and mail)
Availability of multiple sign-ins - More than one account can be signed in at one time
Less Spam
More Storage

Is College Right for You?

2012-08-28T13:40:00.000-04:00

College isn't for everyone.

But it is right for some.

It is pretty expensive and may not get you the job you went to get anyway.

I ran across this video and thought it could help you decide if college is for you. It may make you laugh too.

Are you sure about Homework?

2012-08-22T16:25:00.000-04:00

I have a vivid memory of a long discussion about Homework in a college education course that I took.

I ~~argued~~ discussed my point until I was blue in the face with an overwhelming sense that I was on an island.

No one seemed willing to back me up. Then as I was walking to my car after class and the guy who sat next to me stuck around outside to let me know that he agreed with me.

(2 Quick lessons before we move on to the point I tried to make:)

If you believe something stick up for it even when no one supports you
Get off the sidelines and stick up for what you believe...don't wait until after the game to tell the players that you rooted for them

So back to the point about homework...

The stance of my class and most of the teachers I know personally

Homework is a must for a student to obtain mastery
Homework builds discipline
Homework needs to be graded to balance out test scores
It is a staple in every quality education

My Contingencies:

Homework is assigned to allow students to develop skills/understanding of content or material covered in class.

So suppose for a moment that a student in your class doesn't need extra practice. Suppose they already know all of their multiplication tables or the events that led up to the Revolutionary War.

Why then assign that student homework so they can regurgitate what they already know.

My stance is that homework is for those who need extra practice not everyone. (Sometimes the entire class needs homework but sometimes not)

Well it's not fair to assign homework to some students and not others!

Good point!

Don't assign homework for a grade...provide homework as an option for those students who need extra practice.

Then check for accuracy not for a grade.

Please never assign a grade of 100 for completion without even grading the homework and give 0's for the students who don't.

What often happens is that you have students who didn't need extra help recieve 0's and students who quite possibly did the work incorrectly get 100's. (This practice really depreciates the validity of your class grades)

HOMEWORK = EXTRA PRACTICE

What do you think? Do you assign homework? Why?

Learn to Teach Learning

2012-08-20T10:30:00.000-04:00

I recently read an article by Mark Cuban referring to the Education Bubble. He seems to think (and I agree) that it is not much different than the Real Estate bubble a few years ago.

He later stated in his post that the reason for going to college was to learn how to learn.

I found that statement as an indictment on secondary education. If we have been teaching students for 12 -14 years before they go off to college...and they still have not learned to learn we may be doing something incorrectly.

In my personal experience I did not go to college to get an education, or learn how to learn, or broaden my horizons. I went to get a degree. Everyone knows you can't teach (in a public school) without a bachelors degree.

I only know of one place to get one of those...college.

So I went to get a degree but during my four year sentencing (that turned into 6) I discovered that I learned how to learn. It is not why I went but it is what happened as a result.

It really is a shame that I nor Mr. Cuban, nor millions of other students do not learn how to learn before college.

In fact it would be much easier if I had learned to learn before I got there.

So how can we teach students to learn before college?

Is there something about spreading the subjects up into different buildings? Why do we learn to learn in college but not in High School?

I think the best way to approach this is to stop putting so much emphasis on teaching.

It is a fact that you do not know everything that you need to teach...and that's okay. Discover what the students are interested in and allow them to figure it out for themselves as you guide them.

Be the dispenser of tools...not knowledge.

Information is plentiful and readily available for all. Rather than trying to share information...share tools that help others find the information that is useful.

I think the big thing about learning in college is that your on your on.

Sink or swim your in the deep end of the pool. Students are forced to use the tools around them to survive (library, internet databases, professors etc.). The ones who don't drown.

Push students in the pool. Force them to be independent.

Teachers need to learn to teach learning. Knowing information is not as important as knowing how to find information.

What do you do to teach students to learn?

Share Everything

2012-08-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I registered my blog with Creative Commons. I did so because I wanted to be clearly express my belief that teachers should be sharing everything.

Well not everything, right?....Yes, everything.

Resources
Lesson Plans
Behavior Management ideas
Educational philosophy
Any and Everything that helps you succeed as an educator!

Let everyone have access to your stuff.

I know this is a difficult concept because here in America personal property (real and intellectual) is treasured above all things.

Obtaining more and more property is the name of the game so it is no big surprise that you find two or three or four or five teachers in every school who hoard over their materials.

I love getting things that are free. So this is how I have chosen to give you the reader FREEBIES.

You may take, copy, use, paraphrase, or just plain steal from my blog. The pictures I create (I don't create them all so be careful), the ideas and resources are all in the public domain and you are free to use it in anyway that you please.

No need to ask my permission! If I publish something you want...take it. I am not going to hunt you down or even ask you where you got it (in fact I would be happy to see someone else use my thoughts).

You don't even have to cite me! "I reserve no rights over my work".

I am not worried about you taking my thoughts and claiming them as your own. I understand why it is a big deal to some...but I just simply do not worry myself with protecting my property.

I love open platforms and TeacherAde is officially open.

What is Pedagogy?

2012-08-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

As an industry things are constantly changing. There are things you have probably missed or maybe do not fully understand. The articles in the "What is..." section are to fill you in, catch you up, or introduce you to various educational topics.

We hear a lot of talk about pedagogy in education.

Sometimes I think it is one of those words we use but don't really understand like "natural" or "different".

Or maybe more like epistemology and holistic. (we might discuss these terms another day)

They are common place in education courses at your nearest university but can be somewhat difficult to define.

Hopefully we can simplify pedagogy and understand why it is so important.

Pedagogy is the way you teach.

We will dig a little deeper but first a little history....

Pedagogical College of Da Lat in Vietnam

The root word of pedagogy is pedagogue. A pedagogue is simply one who teaches in a formal training or formal education.

The pedagogues can be traced back through history but the term began to be associated with teachers in the 13th and 14th centuries. They were tutors to young men training in the latin and greek languages.

They were basically college professors. People who had to pay extremely close attention to detail and form. The word pedagogue literally meant a dogmatic person who is obsessed with form and order.

It was actually an adjective describing the boy school tutors.

The nature of the the curriculum (latin) demanded a strict order and form. It was only spoken and written one way (out of which we developed common rules for language commas, punctuation, spelling (which I still have not perfected).

However, as education became a scientific subject in universities the practice and method of teaching was to be "formal" similar to the methods of the earlier pedagogues.

Thus the term pedagogy.

Helpful synonyms:
- Instruction
- Educational philosophy
-Teaching methodology

Why is pedagogy relevant in your classroom?

Pedagogy is how you teach. Your teaching practices should be in line with your educational philosophy. (It is important that you do not teach in a manner that contradicts your beliefs of education. You will probably not be very effective if this is the case.)

Are you the holder of knowledge or facilitator of knowledge?
Do you teach a subject or do you teach people?
Does your lessons and assignments reflect the answers to the previous two questions?

If you believe that students should discover information...do you limit their resources or open them up?

Pedagogy is not a rock solid document pr a simple list of do's and don'ts.

It can and should change from teacher to teacher...subject to subject... and even year to year.

Not only does your pedagogy not have to be the same as the teacher next door but your own methods of teaching should evolve.

Does your pedagogy line up with the pedagogy of your school/administration?

Have you even considered your personal pedagogy?

Best of July

2012-07-31T15:08:00.001-04:00

This post outlines the best articles that have been on TeacherAde, and it also includes other interesting articles that I have found on other blogs or other sites. Enjoy.

Simplicity

2012-07-30T14:03:00.002-04:00

What works in education? On occasion, we discuss the things that work well and other things that are still debated amoung educators. You can find similar posts on the Philosophy page.

Simplicity, Efficiency, and Quality will make anything a success!

That is my motto that I live my life by. I try to make everything as simple as possible, as efficent as possible, and as high quality as possible.

Whenever, I can achieve on high levels of all three categories I know that I am doing something right.

Simplicity in Education:
Schools tend to over complicate things.

Hour long staff meetings that could be covered in a short sentence email.

1000 rules for classroom behavior.

Lesson Plans on one program, grades on another.

College-prep or tech-prep.

Things could be simpler.

Tools can make life and work simple and we should use that in Education as often as we can. Listed below are just a few examples of how simplifying education can improve students learning and overall experience:

When studying or giving notes use a tool like Socrative or a Google Form to receive instant feedback on student learning. Instant feedback!
Passing along information...can be a major headache but using online technology you share documents, videos, presentations, or just a quick message to whoever needs to see it. Tools educators and administrators need to utilize better.

School Websites
Email Contacts/Groups
Blogs
Twitter Feeds

Make the rules in your school/class simple. (all the rules you need are listed below; no more than 5 rules usually works best)

Be Ready
Be Responsible
Be Respectful

What are some other ways we could simplify education?