This article from MindShift by Thom Markham examines the role of teachers in the dynamic world of education where we flip flop priorities every so many years between "inquiry and project based learning" and testing and standards. The big focus of the article is on something we as future educators have been working on to promote teaching to more of a Big Idea in our lessons. I immediately thought of the Understanding by Design Lessons we have been developing in our Methods classes that teach to these concepts and ideas that student learning should occur in ways that they remember the importance of the information and concepts for years to come and how it applies to their lives. Not just teaching to recall "googleable" information for an exam and then never thinking about it again.
But what is our role? While the big picture, enduring understanding stuff is important, so too are the test scores and evaluations linked to that sort of data. Or at least in the minds of those who "make the decisions" at the top. This is the tension teachers deal with and this focus on standardizing can stifle the creative process of education.
This article, thankfully, focuses on the opposite though; What they call "The New Story" which puts more importance on those big, world changing themed ideas. Now it's just about figuring out how to do it. As a Teacher and Learner, I think we can all agree this is the good stuff. They talk about "contributing to a global vision" which I agree is ever so important and as educators we should be preparing our students to think about and be able to work and thrive in what is becoming a more global society and economy.
I also like their focus on "redefining smart." Degrees and certificates and expertise are important but not the end all. You need to be well rounded, able to collaborate and think and solve problems. This is where technology can play a huge part in the process. We can find information that is now available at our fingertips and share and collaborate with people all over the world whenever we want. And we can solve problems and that that is what leads to "better people."
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining teachers with a 21st century education 'story'. Retrieved December 8, 2015 from: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/
But what is our role? While the big picture, enduring understanding stuff is important, so too are the test scores and evaluations linked to that sort of data. Or at least in the minds of those who "make the decisions" at the top. This is the tension teachers deal with and this focus on standardizing can stifle the creative process of education.
This article, thankfully, focuses on the opposite though; What they call "The New Story" which puts more importance on those big, world changing themed ideas. Now it's just about figuring out how to do it. As a Teacher and Learner, I think we can all agree this is the good stuff. They talk about "contributing to a global vision" which I agree is ever so important and as educators we should be preparing our students to think about and be able to work and thrive in what is becoming a more global society and economy.
I also like their focus on "redefining smart." Degrees and certificates and expertise are important but not the end all. You need to be well rounded, able to collaborate and think and solve problems. This is where technology can play a huge part in the process. We can find information that is now available at our fingertips and share and collaborate with people all over the world whenever we want. And we can solve problems and that that is what leads to "better people."
Markham, T. (2015, February 11). Redefining teachers with a 21st century education 'story'. Retrieved December 8, 2015 from: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/02/11/redefining-teachers-with-a-21st-century-education-story/