An epiphany of sorts
I've just finished 3 exhausting and exhilarating weeks as one of the facilitators of a workshop for teachers on the use of technology in the classroom. I had a blast along with my fellow presenters sharing my experiences. I also learnt so much from my fellow facilitators. I really hope the Ministry of Education and SEMP continue to organize these kinds of workshops.
However, even as I am excited by the possibility of what we can do as teachers in the classroom with our digital cameras, our powerpoint presentations and our blogs, the thought that keeps coming to my head is that teacher attitude is perhaps even more important than all the fancy gadgets we have (or don't have) at our disposal. On Sunday night I watched "The Ron Clark Story", an inspirational movie about a dynamic teacher who inspired his students to excellence, even when no one else in their lives saw the possibility of excellence in them. As I watched the movie, one of the things that struck me was the apparent simplicity of his approach. I didn't see any computers in the classroom, I think once there was a CD player, but the children were excited to learn because of Mr. Clark himself. Before the beginning of the school term, he visited all of his students and introduced himself to their parents. He got to know his students, jumped rope with them, made himself available for study sessions at diners on the weekend, he made transformed boring topics into raps. Through it all, he emphasized a series of rules (which he turned into a best selling book by the way)...I mean the man is just very creative.
I'm glad I watched that movie. I'm reminded that my students' classroom experience is shaped not just by technology, but by philosophy and pedagogy. I don't have to dazzle my students with technological flash and whistles (although they certainly help). Before I put on a computer or generate a puzzle, I must genuinely care for my students and expect great things from them, even when it seems as if they don't expect great things from themselves. Before I power up my Power Point, I must really think about what I want my students to know and be able to do and plan, plan, plan. My students must know that they can be anything they want to be if they are willing to work hard, and I have to remember that all this won't happen if I am not prepared to work hard myself.
Will it be easy? Of course not. But too many of our students are leaving school illiterate and disgusted with school. The Ministry of Education is promising all kinds of technology, but really and truly it starts with us the teachers...
Taking a deep breath and stepping off the soap box now...
To find out more about Ron Clark, check out his website here.
However, even as I am excited by the possibility of what we can do as teachers in the classroom with our digital cameras, our powerpoint presentations and our blogs, the thought that keeps coming to my head is that teacher attitude is perhaps even more important than all the fancy gadgets we have (or don't have) at our disposal. On Sunday night I watched "The Ron Clark Story", an inspirational movie about a dynamic teacher who inspired his students to excellence, even when no one else in their lives saw the possibility of excellence in them. As I watched the movie, one of the things that struck me was the apparent simplicity of his approach. I didn't see any computers in the classroom, I think once there was a CD player, but the children were excited to learn because of Mr. Clark himself. Before the beginning of the school term, he visited all of his students and introduced himself to their parents. He got to know his students, jumped rope with them, made himself available for study sessions at diners on the weekend, he made transformed boring topics into raps. Through it all, he emphasized a series of rules (which he turned into a best selling book by the way)...I mean the man is just very creative.
I'm glad I watched that movie. I'm reminded that my students' classroom experience is shaped not just by technology, but by philosophy and pedagogy. I don't have to dazzle my students with technological flash and whistles (although they certainly help). Before I put on a computer or generate a puzzle, I must genuinely care for my students and expect great things from them, even when it seems as if they don't expect great things from themselves. Before I power up my Power Point, I must really think about what I want my students to know and be able to do and plan, plan, plan. My students must know that they can be anything they want to be if they are willing to work hard, and I have to remember that all this won't happen if I am not prepared to work hard myself.
Will it be easy? Of course not. But too many of our students are leaving school illiterate and disgusted with school. The Ministry of Education is promising all kinds of technology, but really and truly it starts with us the teachers...
Taking a deep breath and stepping off the soap box now...
To find out more about Ron Clark, check out his website here.
posted by Trini_teach | 4:42 AM
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