Comments on: Educating the “New” students http://60foot.edublogs.org/2007/01/14/educating-the-new-students/ Just another Edublogs.org weblog Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:34:02 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Dustin http://60foot.edublogs.org/2007/01/14/educating-the-new-students/comment-page-1/#comment-7 Dustin Mon, 15 Jan 2007 14:42:59 +0000 http://60foot.edublogs.org/2007/01/14/educating-the-new-students/#comment-7 I agree Dean that a more constructivist approach to teaching is the largest challenge. I think helping teachers to make student work public through blogs or a class wiki could be an excellent starting point. I can recall the pd work you started three years ago to help teachers intergrate technology - to me that was a step in the right direction. Although it appeared the sessions were about technology (ex. blogging) - in practice they were really about pedagogy. I often think about the issue of engagement from a school structure point of view (scheduling, culture, etc). However, good point to look at things where it matters most - in the classroom. I agree Dean that a more constructivist approach to teaching is the largest challenge. I think helping teachers to make student work public through blogs or a class wiki could be an excellent starting point.

I can recall the pd work you started three years ago to help teachers intergrate technology – to me that was a step in the right direction. Although it appeared the sessions were about technology (ex. blogging) – in practice they were really about pedagogy.

I often think about the issue of engagement from a school structure point of view (scheduling, culture, etc). However, good point to look at things where it matters most – in the classroom.

]]> By: Dean Shareski http://60foot.edublogs.org/2007/01/14/educating-the-new-students/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Dean Shareski Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:15:52 +0000 http://60foot.edublogs.org/2007/01/14/educating-the-new-students/#comment-6 Just can't resist the temptation to chime in. I think it's more about changing pedagogy to a more constructivist approach than about embracing new technologies. I've shown many folks new technologies only to see them used in pretty traditional ways. For example, many teachers are blogging but it's largely to post assignments. Not that that is bad but it should be combined with an opportunity for students to contribute and share their learning. Maybe it happens in their classroom but I'm not seeing as much evidence as I'd like. From your experience and observation do you think it's more challenging to help teachers embrace a more constructiivst approach or embrace new technologies? I'd say the latter is easier. But maybe you see things differently. Just can’t resist the temptation to chime in.

I think it’s more about changing pedagogy to a more constructivist approach than about embracing new technologies. I’ve shown many folks new technologies only to see them used in pretty traditional ways.

For example, many teachers are blogging but it’s largely to post assignments. Not that that is bad but it should be combined with an opportunity for students to contribute and share their learning. Maybe it happens in their classroom but I’m not seeing as much evidence as I’d like.

From your experience and observation do you think it’s more challenging to help teachers embrace a more constructiivst approach or embrace new technologies? I’d say the latter is easier. But maybe you see things differently.

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