What is the point!
I am wondering why we have to do these observations for our classes. We learn about these great strategies and activities to use in the classroom, and then when we go to a school, to observe these strategies/activities, the teachers are not even using them. At least that is my experience so far. It has been so frustrating to watch a teacher lecture and test and call that teaching. What do I get out of it, and more importantly the students? I understand I can see what to not do, but there is only so much of that you can take and use. I can guarantee that when I go on an interview at the end of my program the principal will ask. “How can you incorporate these strategies into your classroom?” I could respond with, “I don’t know, I have never seen it done before”. I wouldn’t say that, but it is just frustrating to get excited about observations when the teachers are doing what you are not suposed to be doing. What is the answer to this problem? Anyone else experience this? Does it ever end?
May 7, 2008 at 12:04 pm
No, it never ends. There will always be teachers who cease being professionals, who stop learning, who don’t reflect on the effectiveness of their practices, who don’t grow as a result, who are apathetic, who are complacent, who are bitter, who feel overworked and under-appreciated…. And it is truly a shame that you observe any less than excellence when you are learning to become a teacher. The sad reality is that there are just not enough truly great teachers out there to place all preservice teachers with. But, you know one when you see one, don’t you.
The educational “system” has had a way of killing the joy of teaching. But, that is certainly no excuse. Now that you have all of this knowledge, choose not to go that route. Take it as a personal challenge. Use these new tools that we learned about this semester to challenge your own practice and to challenge your students in interesting, relevant, motivating and meaningful ways. Despite what you may be experiencing, you can make a powerful impact, Mike. Choose that every day when you wake up
May 7, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Greg- I know how you feel and I don’t think it will ever end and the best way we can change it is to not follow the, “monkey see, money do” idea. The best way for us to take this idea of technology and incorporate it is to fine those who do use technology and pick their brains, watch their classes, and see what works and what doesn’t work. As for us, trial and error will have to come in at some point. Some days we may drive something home with incorporating technology and others we may lose the students completely…my idea- after using technology in a lesson (in addition to reflecting about the lesson) reflect on the use of technology, “Did this help my students, or hold them back?” “What do they latch on to?” “What confused them” “How can I make it better next time?” Asking questions like these and taking the time to think can really go a long way when we are working on incorporating technology into the classroom….because let’s admit it…soon it will be the only way to keep up with the students. =)