The cerebrum -- which is just Latin for "brain" -- is the newest (evolutionarily) and largest part of the brain as a whole. It is here that things like perception, imagination, thought, judgment, and decision occur. I hope you are thoughtful as you leave your comments on this blog.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Feedback for our presenters...
Thank you to Jenn Maichin and Courtney Zaleski for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Please comment on what you heard today as well as any questions that remain in your mind?
I appreciated how often Jenn and Courtney pointed out they are dedicated to teaching life skills, and while they are able to use technology, that was not necessarily the focus of the presentation.
One of my questions to Jenn and Courtney is: how well or easily do students transfer the skills you teach to various tasks? I often see students will grasp a skill but have trouble applying it to different situations or across disciplines.
I've also noticed that communication and listening skills are an issue in the elementary school classes I am in. I do not blame the students; I believe this needs to be learned. Do you teach communication skills explicitly? Do you have any advice on how to do this?
I have found that often we as adults do not give kids enough credit when it comes to communication. We as adults often speak for our children (ie. Ordering for them at a restaurant or, as teachers dictating procedures in our classrooms without allowing and respecting their voices. Over time, this leads to what you may be seeing in the classroom. As 21st century learners, it is so important that students develop these skills at an early age. You asked if they should be directly taught. I believe that yes, you can and should "teach" a student the proper way to communicate to various audiences, body language, etc.., but the way they will learn it as a life skill is if you provide daily real life opportunities for them to apply it. That is the " hidden curriculum" we were talking about. You don't have to write a lesson plan to teach communication skills, embed them in every lesson you teach and seize opportunities when they arise. Set high standards for them and they will rise to the occasion. You always have to remember, though, that each student will get their in their own time. For some kids, may not feel that it is "getting through" or that they are grasping what you are trying to instill, but if you learn to notice, as Courtney and I call them, the "tiny everyday miracles", and if you see your role as a teacher to be that of instilling life skills such as communication THROUGH the curriculum every day, you can be sure that each if those kids leaves your class at the end of the year with tools to help them be more productive citizens... Even if they dontvuse them for years to come, they will one day, and they will remember you for it!
I want to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming into our class and sharing their experiences with us. It was great to hear about what it is like in a 21st century classroom. I have read lots of articles but actually hearing from teachers and seeing pictures and videos of the classroom, allowed me to see that it is possible. My biggest concern is that I won’t be able to come up with good ideas and projects in order for the students to be interested and be able to apply their 21st century skills. But what I learned from Jenn and Courtney is that you can get ideas from your students. This will allow the students to take credit for their learning and they will get more out of it.
For Jenn and Courtney: How do students respond to this environment while the rest of their grade is traditionally learning, rotating from class to class? Thank You!
I first wanted to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming to our class and sharing their classroom experiences. The presentation really opened my mind to all of the possibilities in a 21st century classroom. Something that really stuck with me was the point that a 21st century classroom isn’t just about technology its about teaching students to be able to think creatively, work cooperatively and problem solve. What I found really interesting was the lesson about lab safety rules. Instead of going over a pre-made worksheet of rules you had the students brainstorm lab safety rules and then create the video to show that they understood the rule. This allows for students to be insert their creativity while making the topic their own. I know that the students do not rotate classrooms but I was wondering if they leave the classroom for specials such as gym, art and music. If so are these subjects integrated into the what the students are learning or working on?
Teaching isn't what the majority of American thinks of it. Teachers' days don't start at 8 am and end at 3 pm. The two of you, Jen and Courtney, definitely show that. When I was listening to both of you talk I saw the dedication and love you have for teaching. I really liked how you both hold your students to very high standards. You teacher students something and you expect them to be able to do it. I think by teaching students what is expected of them at a young age is very commendable and rarely done. I’m interested I knowing what the students view as being the most challenging part of learning in your type of class and with the ipad. Also what do they like best.
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for visiting our Wednesday night class. It is evident that you both are dedicated to incorporating collaboration, communication, and technology into your classroom. I admired the comment that was made that good ideas and teaching come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Not many teachers can say that they do that. We need more teachers like you who are willing to try new ideas and teach in the 21st century. What I like about your class structure is that there is opportunity for the students to become the teachers. In the example of the northwest passage, it was great that the student was able to use google earth to teach the rest of the class. That could have been a boring lesson, but you made it interactive and interesting. Also, students retain more information when they are teaching others. My question to you both is, do you think that this class could meet all of its ideal and expectations (collaboration, communication, etc) without the use of technology? While technology is a great supplement, what about the schools that can't afford the technology that you guys have such as iPads, netbooks, etc.? What would be different if that were the case?
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for visiting our Wednesday night class. It is evident that you both are dedicated to incorporating collaboration, communication, and technology into your classroom. I admired the comment that was made that good ideas and teaching come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Not many teachers can say that they do that. We need more teachers like you who are willing to try new ideas and teach in the 21st century. What I like about your class structure is that there is opportunity for the students to become the teachers. In the example of the northwest passage, it was great that the student was able to use google earth to teach the rest of the class. That could have been a boring lesson, but you made it interactive and interesting. Also, students retain more information when they are teaching others. My question to you both is, do you think that this class could meet all of its ideal and expectations (collaboration, communication, etc) without the use of technology? While technology is a great supplement, what about the schools that can't afford the technology that you guys have such as iPads, netbooks, etc.? What would be different if that were the case?
I agree with everyone else's comments on the fact that it was so great that we could see a real class in which project based learning is taking place. This is something that is constantly addressed in most of my methods courses and it's so great to actually see it be done in a classroom. My favorite part of the presentation was the part where they said that they do not spend more than 15- 20 minutes lecturing in front of the classroom. This is a rule that I'd really like to implement in my classroom because I have seen what more than 20 minutes of lecturing can do to students in a classroom. They can become distracted, unmotivated and bored with the lesson. I wanted to ask Jenn and Courtney, is it really possible or was it difficult for them to keep the lecturing for each lesson to less than 20 minutes per day? I feel that this would be hard for a subject such as math since some days there are so many steps, procedures, rules and definitions that need to be given.
I thought it was awesome that both of you took the time to come in and speak to us. I think it's great that you already see growth from your students. It made me reflect on my first year teaching, and how much I could change and improve in the future.
I love how you let the children learn on their own and problem solve without you just lecturing. The children seem really engaged and have fun during learning. The students seem like they are actually understand what they are learning because they are exploring it on their own. I was wondering if you thought this type of learning could work for Kindergarten or 1st graders? Do you think this type of learning is only possible for older grades? This type of learning takes a lot of time, effort, and love for teaching and I think it's great that the kids get to experience this type of learning. Thanks!
I really enjoyed hearing from Jenn and Courtney. I found that what they were telling us was real and we could expect to go through the same thinking process as them when we get into those classrooms. I enjoyed that they were able to get along and that they are able to understand each others body language in order to make the lessons flow smoothly, but I wonder what happens when you do not have that connection. They are very fortunate that they are able to work so well together, but what if you are not that lucky?
Since you guys started teaching this class without the I-Pads, and you had limited technology, do you think it will be hard to incorporate technology into the classroom now? Now you also have the ability to communicate with your students all the time, (e-mail), it must build stronger relationships between the student and teacher and allow the teacher to connect to the student on a much deeper level.
Another thing I would like to know is how are the students adapting to this new learning environment. I'm sure they enjoy it, but do they feel as though they are learning?
I want to first start off with saying thank you to Courtney and Jenn for coming to our class and talking about their 21st century classroom. I found Jenn and Courtney's presentation very helpful and interesting to learn about a 21st century classroom that they work in. The classroom environment today is very different than what it used to be and Jenn and Courtney have shown that. It was very interesting to learn that they don't stand in front of the classroom for more than 20 minutes. They want to give the students a chance to learn from each other and not be lectured all day. I would like to know, is this something that can be difficult at times? Are there times when you want to teach a lesson and you may go beyond 20 minutes? This is something that is knew to me and I'm not entirely sure that I would be able to do this.
Jenn and Courtney said that there is no micromanaging the students, the kids have more fun and are more serious when this doesn't occur. Jenn and Courtney said that they are teaching their students life skills in the classroom and that this is needed to survive. Teachers need to live by this and not just teach it. You have to teach what you believe for it to be a success. I also found the fact that Courtney and Jenn brought their students parents in at lunch time and worked with them and thier child to work on how to use the Ipads given out in class. They had their students show their parents how to use it so the parents learn as well.
Jenn and Courtney constantly incorporate the 4 C's into their curriculum. I think that this is great for the 21st century classroom. It is a very important life skill to understand how to work with others and to value each other. Students should be able to explore and should be taught that it is ok to make mistakes.
Thank you for showing what a 21st classroom looks like and is like on a day to day basis. I really found what was said to be interesting and educational.
I also wanted to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming to our class and speaking about their experiences in their classroom. I found it extremely beneficial because it was interesting to see the concepts we have been learning in class implemented into an actual classroom. Hearing about the different ways you actually included student opinion was great-whether it be making a bathroom pass, or asking them what they thought was fair in regards to grading, including students opinion is so important because it lets them feel like their opinions matter-which they do. I also enjoyed hearing about the different ways that students were engaged-teaching a history lesson through google maps, creating a blog based off the hunger games, reading student journals to each other, etc. Engaging students in different ways is extremely important in the 21st century because you teach them the 4 c's that are not only important for school life, but for their future life. As you said, you aren't just teaching them learning skills, but life skills-a critical statement that I believe people don't understand or realize.
Overall this presentation was extremely eye opening and beneficial to me. Thank you both again for taking time out of your day. I just had a question: Do you think that students, after being in your class, will have a hard time transitioning out to the next grade level? Since you are the only "21st century class" do you think students will find it difficult to get back into the swing of things with more teacher led lessons?
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for coming in and showing us how we can have a 21st century classroom! After hearing about PBL and creative learning, I haven't had the opportunity to experience is first hand. I find that teachers talk about it, but it never happens. Standardized testing has become the main focus, forcing learning out the door.
My question is: how do you encourage your students to think outside the box and really work for understanding? A number of students I see while observing want just a formula and straight forward method they can memorize. How do you get them so involved all the time? (I mean the examples shown were wonderful but how do you really start the year with it?)
It was a breathe of fresh air to listen to Jenn and Courtney speak about their teaching experiences. Each of them stressed the fact that it is vital to teach our children not only academic information, but LIFE SKILLS. I agree 100%. Our students may be able to read and write beautifully, but do they know how to effectively communicate or engage in basic conversation. Fortunately, the children in Jenn and Courtney's class are learning how to develop these life skills. You could see the passion each of them teachers had, and that teaching came naturally for them. I loved how they taught in a way where the students could take control of their own learning and made them accountable for their own work. I give them major cudos for what they are doing, because not only were they given this new "classroom assignment," they had to create a new curriculum and plan how to integrate the use of technology at the same time. Do they sleep? :) Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us!
I enjoyed the presentation that both Jenn and Courtney gave about the use of technology in their classroom. I liked how they were able to use technology to research and develop their skills for critical thinking and collaboration and communication in the classroom.
One of my questions to Jenn and Courtney is: How do you measure assessment other then through the use of research of topics and presentation.
I have found that many of the aspects of collaboration, listening and their ability to work together is lacking in some of the classrooms I have been in. I believe students should be encouraged to think creatively, outside the box, giving them the ability to show what they know and how they should do things by expressing it in a way they are comfortable. In many classrooms, teachers believe students should almost think in certain ways, hindering their ability to think creatively and allow them to excel using their strengths. I think based on their presentation Jenn and Courtney allow students to develop and express their creativity and thinking skills, giving them the chance to view school and learning as fun and a chance for them to show what they know and be the teachers.
17 comments:
I appreciated how often Jenn and Courtney pointed out they are dedicated to teaching life skills, and while they are able to use technology, that was not necessarily the focus of the presentation.
One of my questions to Jenn and Courtney is: how well or easily do students transfer the skills you teach to various tasks? I often see students will grasp a skill but have trouble applying it to different situations or across disciplines.
I've also noticed that communication and listening skills are an issue in the elementary school classes I am in. I do not blame the students; I believe this needs to be learned. Do you teach communication skills explicitly? Do you have any advice on how to do this?
Thank you!
I have found that often we as adults do not give kids enough credit when it comes to communication. We as adults often speak for our children (ie. Ordering for them at a restaurant or, as teachers dictating procedures in our classrooms without allowing and respecting their voices. Over time, this leads to what you may be seeing in the classroom.
As 21st century learners, it is so important that students develop these skills at an early age. You asked if they should be directly taught. I believe that yes, you can and should "teach" a student the proper way to communicate to various audiences, body language, etc.., but the way they will learn it as a life skill is if you provide daily real life opportunities for them to apply it. That is the " hidden curriculum" we were talking about.
You don't have to write a lesson plan to teach communication skills, embed them in every lesson you teach and seize opportunities when they arise.
Set high standards for them and they will rise to the occasion. You always have to remember, though, that each student will get their in their own time. For some kids, may not feel that it is "getting through" or that they are grasping what you are trying to instill, but if you learn to notice, as Courtney and I call them, the "tiny everyday miracles", and if you see your role as a teacher to be that of instilling life skills such as communication THROUGH the curriculum every day, you can be sure that each if those kids leaves your class at the end of the year with tools to help them be more productive citizens... Even if they dontvuse them for years to come, they will one day, and they will remember you for it!
I want to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming into our class and sharing their experiences with us. It was great to hear about what it is like in a 21st century classroom. I have read lots of articles but actually hearing from teachers and seeing pictures and videos of the classroom, allowed me to see that it is possible. My biggest concern is that I won’t be able to come up with good ideas and projects in order for the students to be interested and be able to apply their 21st century skills. But what I learned from Jenn and Courtney is that you can get ideas from your students. This will allow the students to take credit for their learning and they will get more out of it.
For Jenn and Courtney: How do students respond to this environment while the rest of their grade is traditionally learning, rotating from class to class?
Thank You!
I first wanted to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming to our class and sharing their classroom experiences. The presentation really opened my mind to all of the possibilities in a 21st century classroom. Something that really stuck with me was the point that a 21st century classroom isn’t just about technology its about teaching students to be able to think creatively, work cooperatively and problem solve. What I found really interesting was the lesson about lab safety rules. Instead of going over a pre-made worksheet of rules you had the students brainstorm lab safety rules and then create the video to show that they understood the rule. This allows for students to be insert their creativity while making the topic their own.
I know that the students do not rotate classrooms but I was wondering if they leave the classroom for specials such as gym, art and music. If so are these subjects integrated into the what the students are learning or working on?
Teaching isn't what the majority of American thinks of it. Teachers' days don't start at 8 am and end at 3 pm. The two of you, Jen and Courtney, definitely show that. When I was listening to both of you talk I saw the dedication and love you have for teaching. I really liked how you both hold your students to very high standards. You teacher students something and you expect them to be able to do it. I think by teaching students what is expected of them at a young age is very commendable and rarely done.
I’m interested I knowing what the students view as being the most challenging part of learning in your type of class and with the ipad. Also what do they like best.
Thanks!!!
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for visiting our Wednesday night class. It is evident that you both are dedicated to incorporating collaboration, communication, and technology into your classroom. I admired the comment that was made that good ideas and teaching come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Not many teachers can say that they do that. We need more teachers like you who are willing to try new ideas and teach in the 21st century.
What I like about your class structure is that there is opportunity for the students to become the teachers. In the example of the northwest passage, it was great that the student was able to use google earth to teach the rest of the class. That could have been a boring lesson, but you made it interactive and interesting. Also, students retain more information when they are teaching others.
My question to you both is, do you think that this class could meet all of its ideal and expectations (collaboration, communication, etc) without the use of technology? While technology is a great supplement, what about the schools that can't afford the technology that you guys have such as iPads, netbooks, etc.? What would be different if that were the case?
Thank you again!
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for visiting our Wednesday night class. It is evident that you both are dedicated to incorporating collaboration, communication, and technology into your classroom. I admired the comment that was made that good ideas and teaching come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Not many teachers can say that they do that. We need more teachers like you who are willing to try new ideas and teach in the 21st century.
What I like about your class structure is that there is opportunity for the students to become the teachers. In the example of the northwest passage, it was great that the student was able to use google earth to teach the rest of the class. That could have been a boring lesson, but you made it interactive and interesting. Also, students retain more information when they are teaching others.
My question to you both is, do you think that this class could meet all of its ideal and expectations (collaboration, communication, etc) without the use of technology? While technology is a great supplement, what about the schools that can't afford the technology that you guys have such as iPads, netbooks, etc.? What would be different if that were the case?
Thank you again!
I agree with everyone else's comments on the fact that it was so great that we could see a real class in which project based learning is taking place. This is something that is constantly addressed in most of my methods courses and it's so great to actually see it be done in a classroom. My favorite part of the presentation was the part where they said that they do not spend more than 15- 20 minutes lecturing in front of the classroom. This is a rule that I'd really like to implement in my classroom because I have seen what more than 20 minutes of lecturing can do to students in a classroom. They can become distracted, unmotivated and bored with the lesson. I wanted to ask Jenn and Courtney, is it really possible or was it difficult for them to keep the lecturing for each lesson to less than 20 minutes per day? I feel that this would be hard for a subject such as math since some days there are so many steps, procedures, rules and definitions that need to be given.
I thought it was awesome that both of you took the time to come in and speak to us. I think it's great that you already see growth from your students. It made me reflect on my first year teaching, and how much I could change and improve in the future.
I love how you let the children learn on their own and problem solve without you just lecturing. The children seem really engaged and have fun during learning. The students seem like they are actually understand what they are learning because they are exploring it on their own. I was wondering if you thought this type of learning could work for Kindergarten or 1st graders? Do you think this type of learning is only possible for older grades? This type of learning takes a lot of time, effort, and love for teaching and I think it's great that the kids get to experience this type of learning. Thanks!
I really enjoyed hearing from Jenn and Courtney. I found that what they were telling us was real and we could expect to go through the same thinking process as them when we get into those classrooms. I enjoyed that they were able to get along and that they are able to understand each others body language in order to make the lessons flow smoothly, but I wonder what happens when you do not have that connection. They are very fortunate that they are able to work so well together, but what if you are not that lucky?
Since you guys started teaching this class without the I-Pads, and you had limited technology, do you think it will be hard to incorporate technology into the classroom now? Now you also have the ability to communicate with your students all the time, (e-mail), it must build stronger relationships between the student and teacher and allow the teacher to connect to the student on a much deeper level.
Another thing I would like to know is how are the students adapting to this new learning environment. I'm sure they enjoy it, but do they feel as though they are learning?
I want to first start off with saying thank you to Courtney and Jenn for coming to our class and talking about their 21st century classroom. I found Jenn and Courtney's presentation very helpful and interesting to learn about a 21st century classroom that they work in. The classroom environment today is very different than what it used to be and Jenn and Courtney have shown that. It was very interesting to learn that they don't stand in front of the classroom for more than 20 minutes. They want to give the students a chance to learn from each other and not be lectured all day. I would like to know, is this something that can be difficult at times? Are there times when you want to teach a lesson and you may go beyond 20 minutes? This is something that is knew to me and I'm not entirely sure that I would be able to do this.
Jenn and Courtney said that there is no micromanaging the students, the kids have more fun and are more serious when this doesn't occur. Jenn and Courtney said that they are teaching their students life skills in the classroom and that this is needed to survive. Teachers need to live by this and not just teach it. You have to teach what you believe for it to be a success. I also found the fact that Courtney and Jenn brought their students parents in at lunch time and worked with them and thier child to work on how to use the Ipads given out in class. They had their students show their parents how to use it so the parents learn as well.
Jenn and Courtney constantly incorporate the 4 C's into their curriculum. I think that this is great for the 21st century classroom. It is a very important life skill to understand how to work with others and to value each other. Students should be able to explore and should be taught that it is ok to make mistakes.
Thank you for showing what a 21st classroom looks like and is like on a day to day basis. I really found what was said to be interesting and educational.
I also wanted to thank Jenn and Courtney for coming to our class and speaking about their experiences in their classroom. I found it extremely beneficial because it was interesting to see the concepts we have been learning in class implemented into an actual classroom. Hearing about the different ways you actually included student opinion was great-whether it be making a bathroom pass, or asking them what they thought was fair in regards to grading, including students opinion is so important because it lets them feel like their opinions matter-which they do. I also enjoyed hearing about the different ways that students were engaged-teaching a history lesson through google maps, creating a blog based off the hunger games, reading student journals to each other, etc. Engaging students in different ways is extremely important in the 21st century because you teach them the 4 c's that are not only important for school life, but for their future life. As you said, you aren't just teaching them learning skills, but life skills-a critical statement that I believe people don't understand or realize.
Overall this presentation was extremely eye opening and beneficial to me. Thank you both again for taking time out of your day. I just had a question: Do you think that students, after being in your class, will have a hard time transitioning out to the next grade level? Since you are the only "21st century class" do you think students will find it difficult to get back into the swing of things with more teacher led lessons?
Thank you Jenn and Courtney for coming in and showing us how we can have a 21st century classroom! After hearing about PBL and creative learning, I haven't had the opportunity to experience is first hand. I find that teachers talk about it, but it never happens. Standardized testing has become the main focus, forcing learning out the door.
My question is: how do you encourage your students to think outside the box and really work for understanding? A number of students I see while observing want just a formula and straight forward method they can memorize. How do you get them so involved all the time? (I mean the examples shown were wonderful but how do you really start the year with it?)
It was a breathe of fresh air to listen to Jenn and Courtney speak about their teaching experiences. Each of them stressed the fact that it is vital to teach our children not only academic information, but LIFE SKILLS. I agree 100%. Our students may be able to read and write beautifully, but do they know how to effectively communicate or engage in basic conversation. Fortunately, the children in Jenn and Courtney's class are learning how to develop these life skills. You could see the passion each of them teachers had, and that teaching came naturally for them. I loved how they taught in a way where the students could take control of their own learning and made them accountable for their own work. I give them major cudos for what they are doing, because not only were they given this new "classroom assignment," they had to create a new curriculum and plan how to integrate the use of technology at the same time. Do they sleep? :) Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with us!
I enjoyed the presentation that both Jenn and Courtney gave about the use of technology in their classroom. I liked how they were able to use technology to research and develop their skills for critical thinking and collaboration and communication in the classroom.
One of my questions to Jenn and Courtney is: How do you measure assessment other then through the use of research of topics and presentation.
I have found that many of the aspects of collaboration, listening and their ability to work together is lacking in some of the classrooms I have been in. I believe students should be encouraged to think creatively, outside the box, giving them the ability to show what they know and how they should do things by expressing it in a way they are comfortable.
In many classrooms, teachers believe students should almost think in certain ways, hindering their ability to think creatively and allow them to excel using their strengths.
I think based on their presentation Jenn and Courtney allow students to develop and express their creativity and thinking skills, giving them the chance to view school and learning as fun and a chance for them to show what they know and be the teachers.
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