Re: What kind of notes do you give and how do you give them?
Posted by: I'm more teacher-directed. Always looking to better my teach on 7/02/09
ing but don't feel the need to change every few years. If something
works, I'll stick with it. Been teaching a long time and yes, in some
ways I'm the same but I have changed some things too. Because society
and kids have changed. Stil, direct teaching is pretty much what I do.
On 7/02/09, Michael wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> True, "student-centered" might not be the most accurate term, but I
> believe it serves its purpose to show the divide between those who
> think they have all the answers and those who realize that we might
> have the knowledge the students need to know, but using lectures as the
> main vehicle for delivery might be best for teachers but it's assuredly
> not the best for students.
>
> I am constantly reading new research and listening to renowned
> educators slam note-taking and the lecture model as a teacher's main
> methodology. The only voices I hear supporting it seem to be people
> who do it because it's easier and the kids behave. ("I hear and I
> forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." -Confucius)
>
> I guess I have also fallen a bit too in love with Roger Lewin's quote:
> "Too often we give our students answers to remember, rather than
> problems to solve."
>
> I believe we all probably agree that teaching Social Studies offers
> more opportunity for bias than any other general subject. When talking
> about politics, war, immigration, etc. none of us can be 100% "fair and
> balanced." When teachers control 90% or better of the
> topics/information presented in class it can be dangerous for our
> students. That is another reason why teacher-centered instruction
> scares me.
>
> Yes, a foundation of knowledge needs to exist. But with 180 days or so
> to work with, don't you think a good teacher can get there without
> having to regularly lecture our students?
>
> Of course I am not saying we need to clean house every three years and
> start anew. Every year or so major car companies do research and make
> a few changes to their product because they know one can always be
> better. Which car company would be around today if they were still
> selling models from 5 or 10 years ago? Okay, I realize that this year
> car companies are probably the worst example for how to become more
> successful at anything, but it's the first thing that came to mind. :)
>
> ---damato "it wound up raining again in NJ yesterday, but at least it
> was in the evening"
