Comments - Wanting the education world to change faster -- we're in a funk - Classroom 2.02024-03-28T17:46:53Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/profiles/comment/feed?attachedTo=649749%3ABlogPost%3A159532&xn_auth=noYou've made a very good point…tag:www.classroom20.com,2008-07-11:649749:Comment:1597622008-07-11T04:32:35.908ZLisa Burdenhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/LisaBurden
You've made a very good point! I didn't get to go as planned, but in a surprise move I had the opportunity to teach summer school instead, teaching kids who had failed the Texas Assessment (TAKS) for the second time who would not be going to 9th grade without passing or making some progress on the math section.<br />
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After the class was finished and they had taken their test, we had two days to fill with something less stressful. So I taught them how to build a Wiki and use it as a social networking…
You've made a very good point! I didn't get to go as planned, but in a surprise move I had the opportunity to teach summer school instead, teaching kids who had failed the Texas Assessment (TAKS) for the second time who would not be going to 9th grade without passing or making some progress on the math section.<br />
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After the class was finished and they had taken their test, we had two days to fill with something less stressful. So I taught them how to build a Wiki and use it as a social networking site. The other teachers on my team and even the campus technologist were able to observe the tools and learn how to use them. That helped the adults to see the engagement level of the kids rise, and sparked an interests in them to further their own learning about the wonderful web 2.0 tools and try it on their own.<br />
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Earlier this year I presented our <a href="http://sraburden.wikispaces.com">class wiki</a> and my students' wikis to a member of the school board and while it was beyond what he is comfortable with, but he could see the great potential.<br />
For me it was very gratifying... as you said, much more so than if I were just 'preaching to the choir'. I suppose i didn't even realize it, but nowthat you have brought it up, it strikes a chord... And I teach new teacher induction to World Language teachers, so I already had planned to teach them how to teach foreign languages with wikis and blogging.<br />
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But now I am inspired...<br />
I'll be going to a content area (foreign languages) conference and intead of merely attending, I believe I am even going to prepare and submit a proposal for a presentation if it's not too late!<br />
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That's the answer!! ...To get out there and teach others to do what we are doing. Even if we don't get them all to join us, we can at least open their minds to it. But I will say that whether it is here in these forums or at NECC or at any ed tech con where we all gather, we do accomplish this much: to sharpen each other, to spur each other on, to further our own knowledge and to teach others who are there to learn, and ultimately, to inspire each other. The rub lies herein: we cannot leave it at that. Or we have not effected change. We must get out there and spread the word and the knowledge.<br />
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I join you in challenging each of us to present to our school boards, professional development departments, content area conferences, and anywhere else we can spread our message!<br />
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Best and kindest regards,<br />
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Lisa Burden