i was in scott mcleod's book club this summer.
we read why students don't like school by daniel willingham.
the last post for the club - takeaways.
interesting - a lot of smart people upset that the question in the title wasn't answered. here's my take on that takeaway please know that i'm talking to myself first...
1) it's funny how all the things we complain about the most in kids - are the things we are the worst at. if we want them to get it - we have to get it (model it) as well.
2) it's also funny that as teachers we talk a lot about cycles - meaning - been there done that. so now i'm wondering if we've really "done that" - i'm wondering if we've even "been there."
why do cycles seem to appear? perhaps we aren't getting it right the first time. for instance - we've tried discovery learning and groups - oh so many times. well - after being bashed and failed by so many - they appear to be back - in the guise of plns personal learning networks and pbl project based learning.
and with the web - both have become so much more - just saying.
3) i think this book frustrated people because they were looking for a quick fix answer. which translates - we want to be spoon fed. we often comment - if kids were self-regulated, self-advocates..., all my problems would be solved. well - what about us? where do you think they learned the whole "spoon fed" approach. come to my class - learn this - so i can test you on this. that's not teaching them to learn. it's teaching them how to take tests. my takeaway - kids would like school if the teachers modeled learning...
first steps
by the way - true learning doesn't need a plug - if it's true - the energy of it "happening" will generate the public/community.
1) LEARN STUFF - become active in a pln (off or online) quote from @timwhitby - motivational speakers may motivate educators to feel good about teaching, but a good PLN motivates them to feel good about learning.
2) TWEAK YOURSELF - reflect on a frequent/regular basis - so that your learning stays fresh and can sustain
from @ddmeyer assessments should be ongoing - not end of unit freak out time.
seem overwhelming? a bit scary....
well - boxes are safe. but hey - you're in a box.
once you get going - you'll wonder what took you so long.