What does it mean to be an active learner? Isn't it what we wish for all of our students? I want them to take an active role in their own learning. I want my students to be active learners.
"If you're ready to help me, I'll find you." I will admit that it is a little overwhelming to think that students today are learning and want to learn in very different ways than what I can understand or recall. I don't feel that "outdated", but in a world where the iPhone 4 is free not long after it made it's debut, you begin to realize how quickly our world is moving. Can I keep up with the latest form of communication? Can I understand and teach myself the ways of digital learning? Can I keep up with the active learner? I need to, because as the video said, "If you're ready to help me, I'll find you."
"To learn about Chinese History from someone in Beijing." I am equally excited by the opportunity that presents itself with active learners. There are wonderful opportunities through technology and the connections that technology allow us to make. To do more than read about something. To see it through videos, pictures, live chats! The resources are numerous. By having active learners as students it allows us, as teachers, to continue to be active learners. To learn along side our students and allow them lead in the exploration.
"Will I be prepared?" It is really our duty, as educators, to prepare our students for success. That has not changed. There has to be some fear or apprehension in their minds. Will we prepare them? Will we do the best job we can so that they can be ready for the competitive, fast-paced world? Although it was decades and decades ago (HA!), I can recall my teachers that would continue to teach in the manner with which they were taught. The lessons seemed so irrelevant. But a teacher that could adapt our lesson and make it relevant to what we liked, to what we understood, were the lessons I can still recall many years later.
Where do I see myself? I want to be an active learner also. I want to inspire my students. I want to be inspired by them. I want to keep up, but I also want to teach them the importance of slowing down and smelling a flower, not just seeing it online. Whether I reflect on my past, or look into my future, I think education works well when there is balance. Bringing worlds together and getting excited about the possibility, the opportunity and the understanding. I think I'm ready!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Dalton Sherman
It is so easy to lose track of our focus: of what we are here for. Watching Dalton speak reminds me of the importance of my job each and every day. I need to BELIEVE in my students, in my colleagues and in myself.
I have had the privilege of teaching 3rd grade, 4th grade, reading and now kindergarten. One of the most challenging aspects of kindergarten (and there are many!) is to get a clear picture of each child with little information from prior school experiences. This is often their first experience in a structured setting. At the beginning of the year, it is very overwhelming to quickly assess each child's strengths, weaknesses, fears, health concerns, etc. Getting lost in the facts and diagnoses of the child, rather than the hope that lies within. While listening to Dalton speak, I realized that I do believe in each on of my students; however, I want to be sure to communicate that to them.
Each year, I find it refreshing to hear the Senior class president address the staff at the "Rah, Rah Day". There is so much promise that lies in their speech. I seem to sit up and take notice of what they have to say. A message from a student's mouth is often direct, honest, hopeful, humorous with a small touch of teenage spunk :) No matter how the message is delivered, the message is often the same: Believe in us and we will believe in you. Some times it just takes one person believing in your ABILITIES to help push you into giving it a try. Someone focusing on your ABILITIES rather than knocking you down for your disabilities. We all have disabilities and rather than focusing on what we can not do (which we are already aware of), we need to focus on our own strengths. Start with ourselves. What are our abilities? Do we believe in ourselves? What are our colleagues' strengths? Do we believe in them? What are our students' strengths? Do we believe they can achieve?
Dalton briefly spoke of the multi-generational effect we can have when we believe in our students today. Although he was brief, this thought had never occurred to me. We pass on to others what we have learned. When we empower young people, the path they chose in life can be changed. It will lead them to their future and what will they do with it? Will we have made an impact that can ripple down to their children or other lives they may touch? I have never taken time to see the even bigger picture and impact we can have in our world. I am inspired to bring my best to my class of 21.
One of the most moving moments to me, was as Dalton's speech came to a close and the applause picked up, his teacher (?) leaned in and said, "I'm proud of you, man." A teacher's job is never over. It is not our job to be boisterous or flashy, but to simply let each child know that they are loved and that we believe in them.
I have had the privilege of teaching 3rd grade, 4th grade, reading and now kindergarten. One of the most challenging aspects of kindergarten (and there are many!) is to get a clear picture of each child with little information from prior school experiences. This is often their first experience in a structured setting. At the beginning of the year, it is very overwhelming to quickly assess each child's strengths, weaknesses, fears, health concerns, etc. Getting lost in the facts and diagnoses of the child, rather than the hope that lies within. While listening to Dalton speak, I realized that I do believe in each on of my students; however, I want to be sure to communicate that to them.
Each year, I find it refreshing to hear the Senior class president address the staff at the "Rah, Rah Day". There is so much promise that lies in their speech. I seem to sit up and take notice of what they have to say. A message from a student's mouth is often direct, honest, hopeful, humorous with a small touch of teenage spunk :) No matter how the message is delivered, the message is often the same: Believe in us and we will believe in you. Some times it just takes one person believing in your ABILITIES to help push you into giving it a try. Someone focusing on your ABILITIES rather than knocking you down for your disabilities. We all have disabilities and rather than focusing on what we can not do (which we are already aware of), we need to focus on our own strengths. Start with ourselves. What are our abilities? Do we believe in ourselves? What are our colleagues' strengths? Do we believe in them? What are our students' strengths? Do we believe they can achieve?
Dalton briefly spoke of the multi-generational effect we can have when we believe in our students today. Although he was brief, this thought had never occurred to me. We pass on to others what we have learned. When we empower young people, the path they chose in life can be changed. It will lead them to their future and what will they do with it? Will we have made an impact that can ripple down to their children or other lives they may touch? I have never taken time to see the even bigger picture and impact we can have in our world. I am inspired to bring my best to my class of 21.
One of the most moving moments to me, was as Dalton's speech came to a close and the applause picked up, his teacher (?) leaned in and said, "I'm proud of you, man." A teacher's job is never over. It is not our job to be boisterous or flashy, but to simply let each child know that they are loved and that we believe in them.
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