Question:
Which of the tools that we've worked with so far seems the most interesting to you for your own use? Why is that? What purposes do you imagine using the tool(s) for?
Response:
I really like Zotero. The idea of having a tool that saves my online searches in an organized manner is amazing. I have used it continuously since it was introduced to me and I truly appreciate it's convenience. I do a lot of research and having a method that keeps things in order and that is accessible online makes working on papers everywhere easy. I am very glad Dr. Emert showed us Zotero and constantly recommend it to people I know. I see myself using this in graduate school, working on papers, and even organizing events in my life that require online searches, for example planning spring break. Thanks Dr. Emert!
My Past Is My Future
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Blog Entry 5 September 22
Question:
Which ideas from our class readings and discussions are standing out most strongly for you? What do you find yourself continuing to think about? Why do you think that might be?
Response:
I continue to think about how easy it is to point out the problems with education. I am a big believer that standardized test are an awful way of assessing students, but I struggle to offer a valid alternative. Some ideas would be great for some students and not for others. That may be one of the reasons why standardized testing became so big in the first place. Who knows what will turn American education around, but I intend to work towards a solutions as long as it takes. When looking at the improvements Finland has implemented in their system, I have hope. To me the light at the end of the tunnel can only be reached if more people get on the same page. Until then there will be too many distractions and little progress made in the right direction. This is an extremely deep and complex issue.
Which ideas from our class readings and discussions are standing out most strongly for you? What do you find yourself continuing to think about? Why do you think that might be?
Response:
I continue to think about how easy it is to point out the problems with education. I am a big believer that standardized test are an awful way of assessing students, but I struggle to offer a valid alternative. Some ideas would be great for some students and not for others. That may be one of the reasons why standardized testing became so big in the first place. Who knows what will turn American education around, but I intend to work towards a solutions as long as it takes. When looking at the improvements Finland has implemented in their system, I have hope. To me the light at the end of the tunnel can only be reached if more people get on the same page. Until then there will be too many distractions and little progress made in the right direction. This is an extremely deep and complex issue.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Blog 4 September 15
Question:
Consider a teacher you have known and respect. What do you think he or she might say about the "value-added" teaching evaluation movement?
Response:
My fourth grade teacher was one of the most positive and powerful influences in my life. She was a go getter and pushed all of her students to be the very best they could. I cannot remember ever hearing about her teaching style as inadequate and am pretty sure all her students improved in some way academically and socially by the end of the school year. In my opinion I believe that this value-added model would not be a problem for her because in my eyes she did her job very well. She would do the extra that was necessary to ensure her students had another opportunity to succeed, which was apparent in our sense of individual acheivement. I do think that for any job having this method of evaluation would be a bit stressful and add pressure but for those who are doing what they should, it would just be another way to show that they are good teachers trying to make a difference.
Consider a teacher you have known and respect. What do you think he or she might say about the "value-added" teaching evaluation movement?
Response:
My fourth grade teacher was one of the most positive and powerful influences in my life. She was a go getter and pushed all of her students to be the very best they could. I cannot remember ever hearing about her teaching style as inadequate and am pretty sure all her students improved in some way academically and socially by the end of the school year. In my opinion I believe that this value-added model would not be a problem for her because in my eyes she did her job very well. She would do the extra that was necessary to ensure her students had another opportunity to succeed, which was apparent in our sense of individual acheivement. I do think that for any job having this method of evaluation would be a bit stressful and add pressure but for those who are doing what they should, it would just be another way to show that they are good teachers trying to make a difference.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Blog 3 September 9
Question:
Would you agree with Secretary Duncan that "a great teacher can change the course of a student's life"? Has your own life been affected by a great teacher? In what ways?
Answer:
I most definitely agree with this statement. In all the years of education I have had it was possible to get through the teachers I despised because of the the teachers that I loved. For me it starts in elementary school where the foundation for learning and education is laid. I think back on my K-5 teachers and they were very supportive and showed me that they wanted me to do well. This confidence allowed me to expect greatness from myself due to the previous conformation given to me by my teachers all those years. I would occasionally have a teacher that I felt did not care about my education but that was always balanced and often deemphasized by all the amazing teachers who continued to push me in the right direction. I have witnessed teachers who are encouraging and supportive help students who were failing and likely to not graduate finish high school. I have also seen teachers who do not care unconsciously pushing students out the school doors and into the streets. The power of a teacher, good or bad, is amazing. Children look up to their teachers for care and support, those who give it make learning and this education system worth having.
Would you agree with Secretary Duncan that "a great teacher can change the course of a student's life"? Has your own life been affected by a great teacher? In what ways?
Answer:
I most definitely agree with this statement. In all the years of education I have had it was possible to get through the teachers I despised because of the the teachers that I loved. For me it starts in elementary school where the foundation for learning and education is laid. I think back on my K-5 teachers and they were very supportive and showed me that they wanted me to do well. This confidence allowed me to expect greatness from myself due to the previous conformation given to me by my teachers all those years. I would occasionally have a teacher that I felt did not care about my education but that was always balanced and often deemphasized by all the amazing teachers who continued to push me in the right direction. I have witnessed teachers who are encouraging and supportive help students who were failing and likely to not graduate finish high school. I have also seen teachers who do not care unconsciously pushing students out the school doors and into the streets. The power of a teacher, good or bad, is amazing. Children look up to their teachers for care and support, those who give it make learning and this education system worth having.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Question:
What are your impressions of the changes that Secretary Duncan and the Obama administration propose as they consider revising NCLB?
Response:
I like that there is more attention being brought to the NCLB policy. It has been a long time since big media and critique has been placed on this issue. As a product of NCLB I understand how stressful this policy can be firsthand on teachers and students. I do not feel that it has done what it was intended to do, clearly with cheating scandals popping up everywhere it seems to be making things worse. I agree with a lot of the ideas Secretary Duncan and President Obama have for revising NCLB. In the 10 odd years that this policy has been in place there has been plenty of time to see what works and does not work. Hopefully there will be less corruption and more focus on the students and teachers with this intended revise of the policy. I am a bit on the fence, I do believe in paying teachers more, but as a whole. All teachers should perform well at every level of education. Paying those who do better more does not appear to be the best way to get every student to the same place.
What are your impressions of the changes that Secretary Duncan and the Obama administration propose as they consider revising NCLB?
Response:
I like that there is more attention being brought to the NCLB policy. It has been a long time since big media and critique has been placed on this issue. As a product of NCLB I understand how stressful this policy can be firsthand on teachers and students. I do not feel that it has done what it was intended to do, clearly with cheating scandals popping up everywhere it seems to be making things worse. I agree with a lot of the ideas Secretary Duncan and President Obama have for revising NCLB. In the 10 odd years that this policy has been in place there has been plenty of time to see what works and does not work. Hopefully there will be less corruption and more focus on the students and teachers with this intended revise of the policy. I am a bit on the fence, I do believe in paying teachers more, but as a whole. All teachers should perform well at every level of education. Paying those who do better more does not appear to be the best way to get every student to the same place.
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