INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS-Be inspired by these TED Talks on education!
(click on the title to be linked to the video)
Salman Khan: Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education
I loved this video! I had never heard of the Khan Academy before and I am so excited to get online and figure out how to implement it into my classroom. I think this would be an excellent way for my students to review math, and they would love spending time on the computer. I'm also excited to see what other topics are included.
What I appreciated most about what I learned was that the program focuses on mastery. When I taught general ed. it was very hard to ensure mastery for all of my students. While teaching special ed. that is my job- I have goals that say I need to help my students achieve mastery. In the past two weeks, I have welcomed two new students into my classroom- both are fifth graders, and both have had concerns brought up by previous teachers. When we don't stress/can't help our students achieve mastery we end up moving on before students are ready. When students are struggling and we keep pushing them forward, they end up further behind. I love the idea of providing students with a means to practice and master meaningful, necessary skills.
I also agreed with Khan's statements about the benefits of video. The fact that students can learn at their own pace, and review information when they need to is a huge benefit. I do wonder how many students would take the time to review the videos if they needed to, but I think that even if they didn't review the information initially, they might after not mastering the skill for a while.
I'm very excited to learn more about the potential of the Khan Academy!
Malcom Gladwell- Spaghetti Sauce
I took away two big ideas from the Malcom Gladwell TED video, and how they apply to the classroom. I think all of his ideas have a direct place in the classroom and are important ideas to consider. One is the importance of choice. I never would have guessed that there used to be such few choices when going to the grocery store! Now there are so many, and the most difficult part is choosing which one. Choice is so important is the classroom because it gives our students a sense of self and independence. I'm not sure how much choice students are given outside of school because they are children, but as long as it is feasible, I want to give them choices in my classroom- choice in what topics they write about, what books they read, how they approach their work. This guided independence will make them stronger individuals.
The other idea I took away from the video was the importance of using the multiple intelligences to meet the needs of my students. This idea came through to me as Gladwell talked about chunky versus thin spaghetti sauce. We all have different needs and preferences. This applies to our students as well, especially when considering how they learn best. If we want our students to be happy and to learn to their best ability, we need to provide learning experiences in multiple modalities, so that they can express themselves in ways that they are most comfortable.
I wouldn't necessarily think that education is stuck in a one-size-fits-all mentality, but I also don't think it is where it should be. Teachers need to continue to strive to meet the needs of their students. This may mean teachers reaching outside of their own comfort zone to do so.
The other idea I took away from the video was the importance of using the multiple intelligences to meet the needs of my students. This idea came through to me as Gladwell talked about chunky versus thin spaghetti sauce. We all have different needs and preferences. This applies to our students as well, especially when considering how they learn best. If we want our students to be happy and to learn to their best ability, we need to provide learning experiences in multiple modalities, so that they can express themselves in ways that they are most comfortable.
I wouldn't necessarily think that education is stuck in a one-size-fits-all mentality, but I also don't think it is where it should be. Teachers need to continue to strive to meet the needs of their students. This may mean teachers reaching outside of their own comfort zone to do so.
Dan Pink- The Surprising Science of Motivation
This TED video has me thinking a lot.
I know that it is best to have students motivated by intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, motivators. That said, this can be hard for students to develop, especially in a school setting where they struggle so much. I try to use praise as much as possible, and stay away from token rewards. Many of my students are on behavior plans, and they earn stickers for positive behavior each day. At the end of the week if they've had 4/5 good days, they earn some sort of reward. I generally offer computer or game time, because I want to build in some learning/social skill time on top of the reward. While this may work for most students, I know it backfires for some, who just aren't motivated by these kinds of rewards because they aren't meaningful.
What I have seen work are the times when I surprise students for doing well- when they are participating, working like they are supposed to, or go out of their way to help someone out. Getting something as simple as a sticker is hugely motivating for these instances- for the student involved and others around.
Motivation in the classroom is a difficult topic to manage, but I do think this video pertains to education. I'm just not sure that we will ever get younger students 100% intrinsically motivated in the classroom because they don't have much choice about what classes they take and when they get to go to school. Much more motivation comes into play when more choice is involved and when the learning feels more relevant to the student.
I know that it is best to have students motivated by intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, motivators. That said, this can be hard for students to develop, especially in a school setting where they struggle so much. I try to use praise as much as possible, and stay away from token rewards. Many of my students are on behavior plans, and they earn stickers for positive behavior each day. At the end of the week if they've had 4/5 good days, they earn some sort of reward. I generally offer computer or game time, because I want to build in some learning/social skill time on top of the reward. While this may work for most students, I know it backfires for some, who just aren't motivated by these kinds of rewards because they aren't meaningful.
What I have seen work are the times when I surprise students for doing well- when they are participating, working like they are supposed to, or go out of their way to help someone out. Getting something as simple as a sticker is hugely motivating for these instances- for the student involved and others around.
Motivation in the classroom is a difficult topic to manage, but I do think this video pertains to education. I'm just not sure that we will ever get younger students 100% intrinsically motivated in the classroom because they don't have much choice about what classes they take and when they get to go to school. Much more motivation comes into play when more choice is involved and when the learning feels more relevant to the student.
Sir Ken Robinson- Changing Education Paradigms & Bring on the Learning Revolution
I completely agree with Robinson's ideas about the need for education reform. I've seen this video before and like it for a number of reasons. The visuals are quite engaging and I like the points that he makes. What sticks out for me the most are the points he makes about ADHD, the arts, and conformity. I definitely think education needs to, and can change.
Because I teach special education, I work with many students who have ADHD. I definitely believe it is real and needs to be addressed, but I also agree that it is over diagnosed. It's no wonder that kids have less interest in school when you compare it to everything else offered to them. It definitely makes teachers' lives more challenging, but I don't think medication should always be the answer.
Robinson talks about the Arts being an aesthetic experience, bringing our senses alive. I tie this to my job as an educator as I think about how I need to overcome my students' boredom in the classroom. We need to make experiences more lively and hands-on so that students are more interested in learning. I also think we need to have more opportunities for students to be creative and experience different aspects of the arts. Instead of taking away funding for the arts, we need to provide more opportunities, since there are so many proven benefits.
Lastly, I love his statement that education should not be a production line. Because I teach special education, I have more freedom and flexibility in modifying my curriculum to teach individuals- that's my job- I'm not supposed to teach everyone the same thing. If general education could be structured more like this, with more differentiation, I think we could reach more students. I have taught gen. ed. and I know how difficult it is, but it's possible. I think the only way we can truly be successful is if we try to reach each student at his/her level.
In the second video, I love that Robinson talked about passion, and about how it's easy to tell if people are passionate about what they are doing by how they talk about their professions. While I have my bad days, I hope it comes across to others that I really am passionate about teaching, because I really do love what I do.
I'm not sure that dreams are being tread upon by the education system, but I do believe that the system can do more to support students in reaching their goals. I think it's important that there are minimum requirements for students to meet, but I also think we need to offer more to students. The fact that we are taking away more and more electives is horrendous. I loved my extra classes. Band was a life saver for me in high school. I loved taking home-ec and shop class in middle school. Many of these are not offered anymore. We need to give students valuable learning experiences in a safe environment. If they don't get them in school, I'm not sure they ever will get them, which is very unfortunate.
I enjoyed both presentation techniques. I love the visual presentation, but found myself distracted by the drawing- I was in awe of the artist's talent and kept thinking about how I could never draw that well! It was easier for me to follow the second presentation because I was less distracted. That said, though, I have been to conferences that have used a visual artist to take notes, and I love referring to the visual notes, because it's easier to remember what was discussed.
In the classroom, I try to make things as visually appealing as possible, and need to add more visual representations of what's been learned/taught. I need to find more ways to include pictures/visuals since that isn't my strong suit.
Because I teach special education, I work with many students who have ADHD. I definitely believe it is real and needs to be addressed, but I also agree that it is over diagnosed. It's no wonder that kids have less interest in school when you compare it to everything else offered to them. It definitely makes teachers' lives more challenging, but I don't think medication should always be the answer.
Robinson talks about the Arts being an aesthetic experience, bringing our senses alive. I tie this to my job as an educator as I think about how I need to overcome my students' boredom in the classroom. We need to make experiences more lively and hands-on so that students are more interested in learning. I also think we need to have more opportunities for students to be creative and experience different aspects of the arts. Instead of taking away funding for the arts, we need to provide more opportunities, since there are so many proven benefits.
Lastly, I love his statement that education should not be a production line. Because I teach special education, I have more freedom and flexibility in modifying my curriculum to teach individuals- that's my job- I'm not supposed to teach everyone the same thing. If general education could be structured more like this, with more differentiation, I think we could reach more students. I have taught gen. ed. and I know how difficult it is, but it's possible. I think the only way we can truly be successful is if we try to reach each student at his/her level.
In the second video, I love that Robinson talked about passion, and about how it's easy to tell if people are passionate about what they are doing by how they talk about their professions. While I have my bad days, I hope it comes across to others that I really am passionate about teaching, because I really do love what I do.
I'm not sure that dreams are being tread upon by the education system, but I do believe that the system can do more to support students in reaching their goals. I think it's important that there are minimum requirements for students to meet, but I also think we need to offer more to students. The fact that we are taking away more and more electives is horrendous. I loved my extra classes. Band was a life saver for me in high school. I loved taking home-ec and shop class in middle school. Many of these are not offered anymore. We need to give students valuable learning experiences in a safe environment. If they don't get them in school, I'm not sure they ever will get them, which is very unfortunate.
I enjoyed both presentation techniques. I love the visual presentation, but found myself distracted by the drawing- I was in awe of the artist's talent and kept thinking about how I could never draw that well! It was easier for me to follow the second presentation because I was less distracted. That said, though, I have been to conferences that have used a visual artist to take notes, and I love referring to the visual notes, because it's easier to remember what was discussed.
In the classroom, I try to make things as visually appealing as possible, and need to add more visual representations of what's been learned/taught. I need to find more ways to include pictures/visuals since that isn't my strong suit.
Brene Brown- The Power of Vulnerability
I found this TED talk to be quite different from the other talks we have watched, but still quite informative and enjoyable. I found this TED talk to be more relateable on a personal level, but see its implications in education. One of the biggest ideas that came across is the importance of expectations, and that we can't expect our students to be perfect; that we need to expect them to make mistakes. This is a good reminder, because while I never expect my students to learn things the first time I teach them, and I also build in a lot of practice time because that's what my students need, there are times when I get frustrated because learning isn't happening as quickly as I would like. I then need to step back, look at the big picture, and reevaluate. I think this is where vulnerability comes into play too, because I know that I'm accountable for what my students learn, so I want to ensure that I'm doing my best, and am trying to control things that aren't within my control.
I've also seen a lot of vulnerability play out in my students' lives this year. I am a long term substitute, and am one of quite a few my students have had over the past three years. My students feel vulnerable because they have trusted many adults who have not stayed with them a very long time. Because of this they have taken a long time to build relationships and trust with me. Vulnerability becomes a defense mechanism that effects many parts of a students life- I know its effected how my students learn and how they react to me; its been my job to help them feel safe and loved to that more learning can occur.
I've also seen a lot of vulnerability play out in my students' lives this year. I am a long term substitute, and am one of quite a few my students have had over the past three years. My students feel vulnerable because they have trusted many adults who have not stayed with them a very long time. Because of this they have taken a long time to build relationships and trust with me. Vulnerability becomes a defense mechanism that effects many parts of a students life- I know its effected how my students learn and how they react to me; its been my job to help them feel safe and loved to that more learning can occur.