So I'm getting some reading done.
15 Ways to be a Smarter Teacher
Here are a few of my favorite ways on the list.
2. Smart Teachers Study Their Students.
4. Smart Teachers Exude Passion As Well As Purpose.
10. Smart Teachers Ask Good Questions.
11. Smart Teachers Don’t Just Pass Out Information.
12. Smart Teachers Stop Talking and Start Listening.
15. Smart Teachers Never Stop Teaching.
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10 Ways to Spot Authentic Leaders
Again, here are some of my favorite ways from this list.
- Talk comfortably about failure. (I'm always shocked at how we never allow students - or us either - to really fail in school. It's alright to have a lesson bomb. Or it's alright to struggle with an assignment or project. That's what the real world is all about. In fact, one assignment I would love to try would be this: go out and find something you've always wanted to do. Then fail exquisitely at it. Finally, write a short paper about the lessons you learned as a result of your failure. As long as they don't try sky diving, I think it would be an awesome project. Give them permission to fail.
- Say, “I hadn’t thought of that.” (We had a colleague years and years ago who was a bit of a know it all. And they should have been, they were quite wise and had a ton of experience. However, the running joke was the one thing you'd never, ever, ever hear out of their mouth was "Say, I never thought of that" because they already had all the answers. Even now, one of my veteran colleagues talks all the time about learning new things and trying out new technologies. That's awesome.)
- Explore-with rather than conclude-for. (One of the biggest changes in my teaching has been this. I use to show up to class trying to persuade my students how right I was or I was trying to convince them that a certain story was interesting. I don't give that any thought now. I treat every class as a learning opportunity. All I am is another learner right in there with them.)
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And this would be a perfect reading to have my students do after they have gone out and failed exquisitely at something.
In a TEDx Talk, Seth Godin makes a great statement: he says education isn't about collecting the most dots anymore (in other words, stockpiling useless facts in your brain that allow you to be deemed "educated"); instead Godin says that education should be about connecting the most dots (in other words, taking the facts you learn in school and giving them a rich context from a variety of learning and life experiences). What I've just done there is one thing I believe is so powerful about social media, especially Twitter. It allows for so many more opportunities at connecting the dots.
As one of my students said, the reason he is able to answer so many knowledge bowl questions about Machievelli is because of his experience playing Assassin's Creed. Now, that's connecting the dots.
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Why Students Should Run Professional Development for Teachers
Now, hold on before you have a heartache. Read this --
In my technology class, students are creating video tutorials that explain how their teachers can use various technologies and platforms (currently we’re making tutorials for Google Apps). The videos are simple for students to make, and we use Snagit to create a video recording of the computer screen, so teachers can see exactly how to use a product with audio narration from the student. Screencasts also allow for anytime, anyplace, any pace learning on any device, which is ideal for a teacher’s busy lifestyle?”
Just what could our students learn if we gave them the opportunity to teach us?
First, as anyone who has ever taught before can attest to, you really need to learn in order to teach. That's how I finally learned grammar. So what would our students have to learn, knowing we'd be asking questions and needing deeper knowledge?
Second, it would give teachers the chance to be students again. I think this often gets lost on many teachers.
Third, what a great way for teachers to learn about new technology, the very same technology that is vital to connecting with this generation of learner.
Fourth, this is an awesome example of reverse mentoring.
Fifth, admit it, as soon as some 'hired gun' walks in to talk about professional development, a majority of us turn in to the very types of learners we hate in our classes: we tun out, we get bored, we look at our phones, we read the newspaper, and we correct work.
Why not try this?
While professional develop courses are still valuable for teachers to attend, our student-produced videos allow teachers to get the majority of their technology training without having to miss classes. These videos are short and to the point, so they can be viewed during free periods, and easily re-watched in case a teacher needs a refresher on the platform. Teacher’s ability to watch these videos in their office or at home is critical, because another benefit of these videos is that with less professional development days, students will have their teachers in class more often, resulting in fewer days with substitute teachers.
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One of my former students, just shared this with me via Twitter. I think it serves as a great reminder. "If education is the key, then school is the lock." That's an interesting point.
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Now, hold on before you have a heartache. Read this --
In my technology class, students are creating video tutorials that explain how their teachers can use various technologies and platforms (currently we’re making tutorials for Google Apps). The videos are simple for students to make, and we use Snagit to create a video recording of the computer screen, so teachers can see exactly how to use a product with audio narration from the student. Screencasts also allow for anytime, anyplace, any pace learning on any device, which is ideal for a teacher’s busy lifestyle?”
Just what could our students learn if we gave them the opportunity to teach us?
First, as anyone who has ever taught before can attest to, you really need to learn in order to teach. That's how I finally learned grammar. So what would our students have to learn, knowing we'd be asking questions and needing deeper knowledge?
Second, it would give teachers the chance to be students again. I think this often gets lost on many teachers.
Third, what a great way for teachers to learn about new technology, the very same technology that is vital to connecting with this generation of learner.
Fourth, this is an awesome example of reverse mentoring.
Fifth, admit it, as soon as some 'hired gun' walks in to talk about professional development, a majority of us turn in to the very types of learners we hate in our classes: we tun out, we get bored, we look at our phones, we read the newspaper, and we correct work.
Why not try this?
While professional develop courses are still valuable for teachers to attend, our student-produced videos allow teachers to get the majority of their technology training without having to miss classes. These videos are short and to the point, so they can be viewed during free periods, and easily re-watched in case a teacher needs a refresher on the platform. Teacher’s ability to watch these videos in their office or at home is critical, because another benefit of these videos is that with less professional development days, students will have their teachers in class more often, resulting in fewer days with substitute teachers.
*****
One of my former students, just shared this with me via Twitter. I think it serves as a great reminder. "If education is the key, then school is the lock." That's an interesting point.
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