The kids are excited, they are willingly working, discussing, debating, thinking.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
We are creating a video giving sound economic policy advice to Clark Kent on how to best help save the planet for his friend - Superman. The kids are excited about this project. They are digging deep to find the best solution, and to poke holes in other groups potential solutions, so their policy will be selected.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
I had done the prep work, created the assignment, though-out what I wanted to kids to debate and discover. Figured out the steps needed to complete the project successfully for my students, so they experience success along the journey. I tested the apps needed, I even tested them on the school network so I knew they would work. I was excited. The kids are excited.
Then we are forced to divert or stop.
The students don't have access to the app. Why? Somebody at central office said so. I wasn't notified.
I'm told here you want to use web 2.0, we want web 2.0 students, we want deeper thinking students, we want engaged students - but first wear these handcuffs.
I am challenging the ruling to block the app, but it takes time I'm told. I have to submit a request, somebody has to read that request. Then it is forwarded on to the tech supervisor. They will then review the request. Then if deemed worthy, they take it up the food chain. Then maybe it'll get unblocked - this process, I'm told could take a week. A week!
We live in a technological age, and it takes a week to unblock a educational tool!
I could travel the world in a week.This process needs to happen faster.It must happen faster!
I understand, kinda, the need to limit student access to certain things. But if I'm a professional that you trust to educated 150+ students each semester, and you've entrusted me with helping start an digital push in our district, then trust me to be a digital professional teacher. Remove the handcuffs. Or at least trust me that when I request something be removed, to remove it in less time than it takes me to travel the world!
End of rant.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
New Week, New Day - New Conquests
So Friday is dead and gone - done! Prom is over and now we can refocus our energies and finish this year strong. today has been a marked improvement over last week.
Why? New project - new excitement!
We started a new project over comparing all the different economic policies available to economic advisers The students have to take on the role of an adviser and figure out what the problem is, how different economic philosophies would solve said problem, and then give their opinion on which policy is best.
They are doing this is Vimeo and publishing (hopefully) their finished product on Friday. Along the way they will be turning in check points to make sure they are progressing well and have the correct information. It's a small step toward my eventual goal of project based learning.
I saw excitement today. I saw collaboration I saw learning. And they were just doing research. It's early in this process but today things are looking up.
Why? New project - new excitement!
We started a new project over comparing all the different economic policies available to economic advisers The students have to take on the role of an adviser and figure out what the problem is, how different economic philosophies would solve said problem, and then give their opinion on which policy is best.
They are doing this is Vimeo and publishing (hopefully) their finished product on Friday. Along the way they will be turning in check points to make sure they are progressing well and have the correct information. It's a small step toward my eventual goal of project based learning.
I saw excitement today. I saw collaboration I saw learning. And they were just doing research. It's early in this process but today things are looking up.
Friday, April 26, 2013
End of Year Frustration
SO I teach Economics and AP Macroeconomics in TX ... which I love (most days).
Today is one of those days that having seniors can be frustrating, and it's for one reason - PROM!! While I understand the social norm and glory that is prom, as a teacher I hate prom. It consumes my kids, and makes today a useless one.
I've had kids engage in multiple conversations on topics ranging from the pros/cons of tanning the day before prom, the car they are driving to prom, where and when they are getting their hair did (and yes did is the correct term here according to my seniors).
No matter that we are working on completing a project on iPads (one in which they are creating videos and offering their own creative solutions to economic problems). Or that in my AP class we are studying for the AP test in small groups solving multiple choice problems using chalk (a cheap, engaging tool overlooked). All topics revolve around PROM!!!
Now that's not to say that all of today has been a waste, a few of my students have broken through this PROM forcefield and created great products today. And we've had some great breakthroughs in AP Macro with students creating FRQs instead of answering them (details can be found here). But the day before PROM is ..... Grrrrrrr!
Till next time
Today is one of those days that having seniors can be frustrating, and it's for one reason - PROM!! While I understand the social norm and glory that is prom, as a teacher I hate prom. It consumes my kids, and makes today a useless one.
I've had kids engage in multiple conversations on topics ranging from the pros/cons of tanning the day before prom, the car they are driving to prom, where and when they are getting their hair did (and yes did is the correct term here according to my seniors).
No matter that we are working on completing a project on iPads (one in which they are creating videos and offering their own creative solutions to economic problems). Or that in my AP class we are studying for the AP test in small groups solving multiple choice problems using chalk (a cheap, engaging tool overlooked). All topics revolve around PROM!!!
Now that's not to say that all of today has been a waste, a few of my students have broken through this PROM forcefield and created great products today. And we've had some great breakthroughs in AP Macro with students creating FRQs instead of answering them (details can be found here). But the day before PROM is ..... Grrrrrrr!
Till next time
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