Comments on: Unengaging elementary classrooms http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2007/03/unengaging_elem.html Technology, leadership, and the future of schools Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tom Turner http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2007/03/unengaging_elem.html/comment-page-1#comment-14800 Tom Turner Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2007/03/unengaging_elem.html#comment-14800 Having just started my run as a technology specialist in the elementary school realm, I don't think I could dispute the statistics you quoted there Scott. I did, however, read the article. One quote that jumped off the screen at me is this: "The findings, published today in the weekly magazine Science, take teachers to task for spending too much time on basic reading and math skills and not enough on problem-solving, reasoning, science and social studies." I've blogged about high stakes testing vs. authentic assessment models on my Seeking the Wisdom of the Ages blog. Being a tech educator, I found it quite simple to teach basic reading skills, plus using the tools in my arsenal to engage the students to create based on what they've learned. I find it amusing though, that the article lambasts the teachers for spending all this time on those 2 particular things, when it's been the districts that have imposed their will on emphasizing basic reading and math. It's my goal as a technology specialist to teach my teachers how to integrate the district's will and parental/societal expectations into one. Tom. http://tnturner.edublogs.org Having just started my run as a technology specialist in the elementary school realm, I don’t think I could dispute the statistics you quoted there Scott. I did, however, read the article. One quote that jumped off the screen at me is this: “The findings, published today in the weekly magazine Science, take teachers to task for spending too much time on basic reading and math skills and not enough on problem-solving, reasoning, science and social studies.” I’ve blogged about high stakes testing vs. authentic assessment models on my Seeking the Wisdom of the Ages blog. Being a tech educator, I found it quite simple to teach basic reading skills, plus using the tools in my arsenal to engage the students to create based on what they’ve learned.

I find it amusing though, that the article lambasts the teachers for spending all this time on those 2 particular things, when it’s been the districts that have imposed their will on emphasizing basic reading and math. It’s my goal as a technology specialist to teach my teachers how to integrate the district’s will and parental/societal expectations into one.

Tom.
http://tnturner.edublogs.org

]]> By: A. Mercer http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2007/03/unengaging_elem.html/comment-page-1#comment-14801 A. Mercer Tue, 30 Nov 1999 05:00:00 +0000 http://annahein.com/2007/03/unengaging_elem.html#comment-14801 "Prior research has shown that highly skilled, engaging teachers can eliminate achievement gaps between rich and poor kids. Pianta says his new findings support that conclusion and suggest policymakers should focus more on how individual teachers can improve on these measures." I'm curious, where are these studies? Inquiring minds want to know. “Prior research has shown that highly skilled, engaging teachers can eliminate achievement gaps between rich and poor kids. Pianta says his new findings support that conclusion and suggest policymakers should focus more on how individual teachers can improve on these measures.”

I’m curious, where are these studies? Inquiring minds want to know.

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