In other news,
Scott bought me one of these last week:And we're giving up this for lent:
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/scrapbook/59/Sbk/59/67719_1858.jpg.html?path=gallery&path_key=0285333
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
silenced
In our staff meetings lately, we've been discussing some ideas that two staff members came back from a conference on assessment with. To be honest, these discussions have been slightly frustrating for me since many members on our staff resist change violently. Yesterday I had a conversation with one staff member about the fact that grades don't have to be the only motivation for students (my argument.) She turned to me and calmly told me that our school and the school system in North America is not structured to motivate our students intrinsically. (Sorry for all of those who haven't gone through an education program, and to whom this all probably sounds like a bunch of nonsense.) Ever since, I've been feeling a little bit hollow inside. If we buy into the idea that education is all about jumping through hoops, and making our students work for grades, then I'm not sure why I'm a teacher. If we're not trying to motivate our students intrinsically--so that they are in awe of and want to learn more about God's creation--then why are we calling ourselves a Christian school? Sigh. A new school next year sounds okay, in some ways.
In other news, Scott bought me one of these last week:
And we're giving up this for lent:
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/scrapbook/59/Sbk/59/67719_1858.jpg.html?path=gallery&path_key=0285333
In other news,
Scott bought me one of these last week:And we're giving up this for lent:
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/scrapbook/59/Sbk/59/67719_1858.jpg.html?path=gallery&path_key=0285333
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8 comments:
no! not alias! you can't do that!
ok, maybe you can, and maybe it's a good idea too, if you feel it is. what if you just got it from netflix--then you would watch it at a saner pace.
is that an ipod?
sorry about school too--i can hear where you're coming from... the hollowness, etc.
Assessment is the new hot topic in schools. We are discussing it here too. I would imagine the ideas are somewhat the same - assessing for learning rather than just of learning and not using assessment as motivation or discipline. Any new idea will meet both an enthusiastic and a negative reaction from different people on most staffs. That's just human nature. It will be interesting to talk about all this and other stuff face to face in few weeks!
What got me most upset was the idea that there is no room for intrinsic motivation in our schools. Students are motivated by grades only, and should be taught that that's all that matters.
why stop at lent, go for LIFE! I never got into Alias. Nor the accursed OC, or a lot of tv shows for that matter. I am still a fan of scrubs though. For lent, I'm gonna give up . . . seeing my family. Yeah, that'll be tough!
You should come teach at my school! Tee Hee. THAT would be WEEEEIRD!
ah dane, there is not comparison between the OC and Alias
I understand your education mumbo-jumbo, and that is truly a scary thing. Grades are good for accountability, but my kids are too obsessed with them. Good luck.
Sorry we missed each other this weekend! Hopefully I'll be back this way next year...
Margaret,
Hi..this is Chrystal umm one of Sara's friends, friends...and you came to my apartment last year and we drank too much wine and went on a rainless walk with umbrellas, remember? Well, as so often happens I took a rabbit trail and found this post and I think it's amazing. I've been thinking about the idea of education and how modern education is no education at all, but rather a sort of aimless empty journey where you might gain some cool quotes and some confidence...if you get good grades. I'm only thinking about it on a university level. To know that a teacher in the secondary school system is thinking the same things gives me some hope that I might not have to homeschool all my children, and sacrifice thier social lives for the sake of a true education. Those old hags need to listen to you, the system is uber flawed so wherever you can give children the true high of learning at whatever the cost, just don't forget what you understand now. Cheers to you, we've created this system you must change it from the inside out, one student at a time.
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