Monday, October 5, 2009

Steve Hargadon - Classroom 2.0

In Steve Hargadon’s article we learned about things to consider when using social networks. I was especially interested in the first point he made in his list of six. His first idea pointed out that failure is free… and that your site may or may not take off as expected. However, because failure can have a restart button, it causes the user to be innovative and use experimentation without the fear of failure. I was interested in this because just today I introduced my wiki site to my department as a viable communication and collaboration tool and out of 3 people I got 3 different responses. The first was worried that I was giving them homework. The second teacher was really excited about the possibilities and eager to dig in. The last one said he thought it was cool but was slightly unmoved and I fear his schedule will keep him from engaging in the process.
This brings me to the next point I found interesting in Steve Hargadon’s article. A social network is especially dependent on early adopters for success. If I have overly busy staff unable to interact or contribute I fear that this site will go unused and be unhelpful. Another point Steve Hargadon makes is that the site must fulfill some compelling need. Even though I think that this medium for collaboration is the ticket it may not be what my department wants or thinks is relevant. As the possibilities unfold I will have to understand that first point and be prepared for failure and monitor and adjust to the needs of my department. I will have to find a way to network that they can own and buy into. When this happens I will need to be a “moderator” or “guide” to the users by being polite, setting boundaries, seeking improvement and strive for working in concert with each other.
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Philosophy

Susan’s Teaching Philosophy

Times have changed and the face of education has evolved and is trying to keep up with the changing American culture. I began teaching 17 years ago and I have learned that you must monitor and adjust as a teacher. One thing remains the same however, and that is teaching students the ABC’s. I take it a step further and call my teaching philosophy the ABCD’s of success. Without the principles outlined in my philosophy I believe Madeline Hunter's Direct Instruction Model has little or no bearing. In a culture where the student plays a larger role in molding their own education experiences because more one parent homes and working parents are a reality.

My philosophy more indirectly follows Bloom's Taxonomy. A student is more prone to learning if they are first affected by the material and are actively engaged in the possible outcome. Teaching students they are in control of their own Attitude, Behavior, Character, and Discipline empowers them to make positive choices toward a bright future. I make it my daily mission to plant seeds of wisdom in these areas. Attitude is a measurement of what’s happening on the inside of the student. Students are actually graded on what attitude they bring to class. Attitude can drastically infect the environment of a game in physical education. Behavior is directly related to what the student displays on the outside. Will they cooperate, use proper language, act their age the list goes on. When addressing a student about behavior you always state clearly your expectations and give them a chance to make their own. Character education gives the teacher the chance to be a pseudo parent. What life principles are important to have success outside the classroom? Those same principles should be daily implemented and pointed out in the classroom. Lastly discipline, this is not punishment this is an act of compliance to personal expectations. Teaching and implementing goal setting in small ways each day in the classroom.

The key to all of this is ownership. How do you teach the standards and convince them its worth and value in their life? It can almost be as simple as making it the students idea. I’m not sure that this can work in all classroom settings. For physical education however, it truly is the key to success. Students who take control of their attitude, behavior, character and discipline within the structure of the classroom create an atmosphere for learning to take place. Students will begin to make the FITT Principle and understanding the components of physical fitness an essential part of their personal goals and implement them in and out of the classroom. Hence, build in them lifelong learning principles, fitness for life and to be passionate about what they choose to do and the world is their classroom. Passion, that’s a whole different story, perhaps on the next assignment I can elaborate.