As I am doing the readings of articles an online assessment programs this week I feel taller. Yes, taller.
I feel I am being exposed to a higher level of educational approaches that are leading me to take a higher step when sharing or facilitating learning experiences with my students and colleagues.
Yesterday was a very special day. I went to the computer lab with my group of adolescents because they wanted to join the blog I mentioned to parents through a note. Parents agreed with no problem and the kids showed enthusiasm in being members of a group. They opened gmail accounts and seemed very interested and proud being followers of the blog. They even posted some comments and we discussed about how often they should visit the blog.
I am amazed at the fact that young teenagers who seem to come to class dragged by their parents can become highly motivated when they are exposed to technology. Of course, it has to do with the age characteristic, but what I could see with my own eyes is that ther attitude can be very different when we try using their language or when we show interest in showing them more about what is out there in the cyber world.
In my training program I have some students who came to me asking if they could be members of the blog for teachers at the institute. I was very happy to give them a warm welcome.
I am just amazed at how sometimes teachers themselves do not show enthusiasm, but students do (young and older) being students or trainees.
Why is this, that is my question now. Why does this happen? Why do teachers sometimes reject or give excuses why not becoming a member of simple blogs where they can find more ideas, fun ideas, interesting materia. Is this because they are overwhelmed with so much content to cover and they do not know what they are missing, sticking up to traditional teaching techniques....?
This is my mission now, convince them and show them that we can make a big difference!
Hi there Carolina,
ReplyDeleteFor a start you made me laugh by feeling taller! You go girl! I know I need to get taller :D Anyway, I just wanted to comment because I've approached the computer/IT teacher in school for 'borrowing' the lab from him for a day in order to carry out all the tasks which are missing with my students and myself that need to be done together. And the good news he agreed on switching classes! So next time he has grade 9 he will be great for him because I will switch classes with him and he will not teach!!I will let you follow my blog to figure out what happened with my class as a result.
To answer the series of questions you asked us, I guess teachers basically they don't know where to start in order to become eager and enthusiastic to follow new, 'fresh' methods. I think that is the only problem.Once they are set on the write track they will,at least some of them will, be eager enough to drop the traditional and adopt the contemporary methods.
Glad to have read your post.
Regards,
Eugenie
Hey Carolina,
ReplyDeleteIn your last comment, you reminded me of a story I heard some time ago. It goes like this:
A man was so busy cutting a tree for six hours straight. His saw was worn and he was exhausted. His friend saw him and suggested he take a break and sharpen the saw. The cutter's reply was that he had no time to take a break and sharpen the saw because he was too busy cutting the tree.
Our teaching methods are like that saw. If we don't stop for a while and sharpen them, they will become more of a burden than a help.
Regards,
Charbel
Dear Carolina,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing your ideas and experiences.
You have helped me to decide where to expose my students' writings, because I am going to start a creative writing project. I've been thinking about it for some weeks.... and now the answer has arrived - ON OUR TEACHERS' BLOG!
Best regards
Irina
Hi Carolina,
ReplyDeleteOne cannot taste delicious food with other people's telling. He has to do it himself. Like me, previously I denied technology because I thought I was too old to learn how to use technology and I could learn English without technology. However, the thought changed because technology is always involved every seminar I attend. Hence, being out of a school to gain more teaching experience is needed.
This week I can create PPT. I am very pound of it. Definitely, it will affect my further teaching. I don't know if PPT is a new thing for you here. If yes and possible share your PPT with your colleagues. It might motivate them somehow.
Best,
Moo
Hello Carolina!
ReplyDeleteWe really grow and become taller in the course of getting the new materials for learning and applying at the lessons. It was nice from you to get your students gather and go to the internet club and made them create their own blogs. Wonderful! I may understand their interest, they have got a new motivation to use technology and it was very nice for them to feel the out-door activity. One more point! You are very highly aimed to persuade your colleagues to be closer to the technology because you have felt what it is to be with technology and have such a good tools on teaching.
Best regards, Perizat