I am all about this new idea of teaching as letting the kids explore while the teacher nudges them in the direction of the standards. As a future biology teacher, I will ensure my students have autonomy in exploring biology in their own meaningful way. I want students to conduct a research experiment that is interesting to them. There are so many limitation to students wanting to conduct good research in a high school setting, but why should that stop us. I can't say how I will use the technology know, but I will be available and ready to use what students need. If students want soil samples from New York, we can't take samples in New York, but I bet there is a class in New York that might be interested in soil from Spokane. Or maybe they want to know about the agriculture that we have in the PNW or heck WE CAN ASK WHAT THEY WANT. These resources can be found through the beautiful world of Teacher Twitter. I am stoked to connect with other teachers via twitter and network like crazy.
This process is going to impact many students in my biology class. I know as a new teacher I will have a hard time learning how to teach and how to go beyond my expectations to make such a project happen, but I passionately believe my students deserve it. I also believe that ALL students deserve this innovation. A blog by AJ Juliana (attached below) shows the beauty of innovation in classrooms. More accurately, this article shows the lack of commitment by schools. AJ talks about pockets of innovation. There are little groups and projects inside a school that uses technology to learn and achieve outstanding things. These lead, time and time again, to incredible outcomes, YET they are not becoming regularly implemented into classrooms. If these projects were available for EVERYONE, the projects would grow to be even greater than they currently are. Students need to be collaborating with one another as resources to expand their projects. If everyone in a classroom participates on these projects, then everyone grows. A rising tide rises all ships. Technology is raising the tide, we Need to get our students on the ship.
http://ajjuliani.com/culture-innovation/
Very powerful site. I think that all teachers want to be part of the pocket of innovation just like most people want to be a world-famous pianist. Unfortunate simple desire isn't sufficient, hard work and dedication are also required. The difference in the classroom is a positive school and district culture could really eliminate some barriers for other teachers and help raise the tide. How do we get there as first year teachers? We can be part of the movement.
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