Comments on: My Educon Moment http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Kessler (Speaker of the Hard Working Teacher Quote) http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64804 Jeff Kessler (Speaker of the Hard Working Teacher Quote) Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:34:17 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64804 I just have to say that my comment was 100% true. If I could tell you how much me and my fellow students realize the amount of work these teachers do for us, you would all be amazed. I just have to say that my comment was 100% true. If I could tell you how much me and my fellow students realize the amount of work these teachers do for us, you would all be amazed.

]]> By: Jim McGuire http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64774 Jim McGuire Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:29:56 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64774 Having just spent three days at the eTech Conference in Ohio, I can understand how a good conference can fill you with enthusiasm. After talking with peers, attending sessions filled with ideas, and listening to Wesley Fryer's keynote address, I returned to school filled with plans and the motivation to make them work. As I posted about <a href='http://www.thereadingworkshop.com/2009/02/blending-learning-and-technology.html' rel="nofollow"><abbr title='this'>, I realized, once again, just how much professional development makes better teachers and schools. Having just spent three days at the eTech Conference in Ohio, I can understand how a good conference can fill you with enthusiasm. After talking with peers, attending sessions filled with ideas, and listening to Wesley Fryer’s keynote address, I returned to school filled with plans and the motivation to make them work. As I posted about , I realized, once again, just how much professional development makes better teachers and schools.

]]> By: Molly http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64767 Molly Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:02:06 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64767 transparency and thoughtful teaching go hand in hand? I agree but what does throughtful teaching look like? What do you do in your classroom to make suer you are having thoughtful teaching? transparency and thoughtful teaching go hand in hand? I agree but what does throughtful teaching look like? What do you do in your classroom to make suer you are having thoughtful teaching?

]]> By: Diana Laufenberg http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64674 Diana Laufenberg Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:05:50 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64674 SLA is a magnet school in the School District of Philadelphia with selective admissions. We are held accountable by NCLB like all other public schools. The admissions process is based on a number of criteria including an interview with a staff/current SLA student, grades, attendance and test scores. A massive effort is made by all members of the school community to interview over 800 prospective students during two weekends in December. I believe there are pieces of SLA that could easily seep into traditional schools, but it would take a shift in focus. The students and teachers are empowered in their own learning here; learning matters. In addition, it is not without mentioning that SLA will max out at just under 500 students; school size matters. Much of the success of SLA is connected to a dedicated, shared vision of teaching and learning, a small school atmosphere and student empowerment. I have been fighting against the traditional school system for a long time and forgot how effective a group of people becomes when they all pull in the same direction. It takes committed, empowered teachers engaging curious students supported by effective administrators and involved parents. The key here is developing a school that is a community focused on a shared goal. When that happens, success is not far behind. SLA is a magnet school in the School District of Philadelphia with selective admissions. We are held accountable by NCLB like all other public schools. The admissions process is based on a number of criteria including an interview with a staff/current SLA student, grades, attendance and test scores. A massive effort is made by all members of the school community to interview over 800 prospective students during two weekends in December.

I believe there are pieces of SLA that could easily seep into traditional schools, but it would take a shift in focus. The students and teachers are empowered in their own learning here; learning matters. In addition, it is not without mentioning that SLA will max out at just under 500 students; school size matters.

Much of the success of SLA is connected to a dedicated, shared vision of teaching and learning, a small school atmosphere and student empowerment. I have been fighting against the traditional school system for a long time and forgot how effective a group of people becomes when they all pull in the same direction. It takes committed, empowered teachers engaging curious students supported by effective administrators and involved parents. The key here is developing a school that is a community focused on a shared goal. When that happens, success is not far behind.

]]> By: Kristin Hokanson http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64671 Kristin Hokanson Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:27:08 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64671 Clay What I find most fascinating about SLA is it is part of the School District of Philadelphia. I am sure that some of the SLA staff could better tell the story...It is part of the city's small schools project, but they still operate under the budgetary constraints of a large urban school district. The standardized tests for PA are taken at the HS level in 11th Grade and this is the first year that they have 11th grade students on campus that will take the state mandated PSSA tests. You should for SURE try to make it over next year! Clay
What I find most fascinating about SLA is it is part of the School District of Philadelphia. I am sure that some of the SLA staff could better tell the story…It is part of the city’s small schools project, but they still operate under the budgetary constraints of a large urban school district. The standardized tests for PA are taken at the HS level in 11th Grade and this is the first year that they have 11th grade students on campus that will take the state mandated PSSA tests. You should for SURE try to make it over next year!

]]> By: Clay Burell http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64660 Clay Burell Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:03:37 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64660 Out of curiosity: Is SLA a charter school, private school, or what? Does it labor under NCLB, or is it exempt? Does it have open admissions, or selective ones? How possible is it for SLA to seep into other traditional public schools? My last question: Will somebody fly me over there next year? :-) Out of curiosity: Is SLA a charter school, private school, or what? Does it labor under NCLB, or is it exempt? Does it have open admissions, or selective ones?

How possible is it for SLA to seep into other traditional public schools?

My last question: Will somebody fly me over there next year? :-)

]]> By: Carolyn Foote http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64618 Carolyn Foote Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:59:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64618 Will, I remember hearing a student in our "cool down" session say that last year, and just thinking what a great revelation that was for the students who attended, to really experience how much some people care about teaching. To see people passionately engaged in their profession has to be something meaningful to their lives, to see that adults have passion for what they do. I also slightly agree with Mark's comment--moving this excitement into the typical schools where many of us work is difficult, though possible. But to me, the thing is--SLA exists--the excitement is palpable, and it works. Which means other SLA's can exist, not clones, but other places like SLA where learning is a heady, exciting, motivating experience for students. It and other innovative schools like it give us hopeful examples of what can happen with the right leadership, planning and attitude and atmosphere and goals. Will,

I remember hearing a student in our “cool down” session say that last year, and just thinking what a great revelation that was for the students who attended, to really experience how much some people care about teaching.

To see people passionately engaged in their profession has to be something meaningful to their lives, to see that adults have passion for what they do.

I also slightly agree with Mark’s comment–moving this excitement into the typical schools where many of us work is difficult, though possible.
But to me, the thing is–SLA exists–the excitement is palpable, and it works. Which means other SLA’s can exist, not clones, but other places like SLA where learning is a heady, exciting, motivating experience for students. It and other innovative schools like it give us hopeful examples of what can happen with the right leadership, planning and attitude and atmosphere and goals.

]]> By: Michelle http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64609 Michelle Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:50:51 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64609 I agree and am always a little annoyed, because I guess I am hoping to see things a little more clearly. I enjoyed the educon conference but realized that so many people were at different points in the conversation, with still no clearly defined goals. As an elementary and middle school teacher I struggle with the need to adapt a curriculum, help support the younger students learning process and still stay true to my own beleifs on education. I think we have to reach inside ourselves and come up with our own clear goals and plans, because really no body is doing "it." But, there still is conversation so I think that is better than silence. I agree and am always a little annoyed, because I guess I am hoping to see things a little more clearly. I enjoyed the educon conference but realized that so many people were at different points in the conversation, with still no clearly defined goals. As an elementary and middle school teacher I struggle with the need to adapt a curriculum, help support the younger students learning process and still stay true to my own beleifs on education. I think we have to reach inside ourselves and come up with our own clear goals and plans, because really no body is doing “it.”
But, there still is conversation so I think that is better than silence.

]]> By: Gary S. Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64558 Gary S. Stager Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:43:43 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64558 Thank you. I think :-) Thank you. I think :-)

]]> By: Mark http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64546 Mark Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:57:41 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64546 To Dean: "Google is absolutely the worst thing teachers can use"?? Also, what are the foundational issues you describe? To Gary: I agree with your premise that technology should just be assumed, like desks, but in districts where it's simply not, I think a 1-to-1 program is the next logical step. You're about 20 steps ahead of us down the "how to think about technology in education" learning curve. To Dean: “Google is absolutely the worst thing teachers can use”?? Also, what are the foundational issues you describe?

To Gary: I agree with your premise that technology should just be assumed, like desks, but in districts where it’s simply not, I think a 1-to-1 program is the next logical step. You’re about 20 steps ahead of us down the “how to think about technology in education” learning curve.

]]> By: Gary S. Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64540 Gary S. Stager Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:49:03 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64540 Huh? Huh?

]]> By: Gary S. Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64539 Gary S. Stager Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:48:26 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64539 I have the utmost respect for Chris Lehmann and his colleagues at SLA and yet, I have no earthly idea what they do with computers. It doesn't matter to me and paradoxically I don't think what they do even begins to approach the potential of computers in education. Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay SLA is that it is an institution capable of self-correction and open to not only growth, but criticism. Another strength of SLA is that it is a childlike institution, not a childish one (a distinction offered by John Taylor Gatto). I have the utmost respect for Chris Lehmann and his colleagues at SLA and yet, I have no earthly idea what they do with computers.

It doesn’t matter to me and paradoxically I don’t think what they do even begins to approach the potential of computers in education.

Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay SLA is that it is an institution capable of self-correction and open to not only growth, but criticism.

Another strength of SLA is that it is a childlike institution, not a childish one (a distinction offered by John Taylor Gatto).

]]> By: Gary S. Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64538 Gary S. Stager Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:44:15 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64538 Mark, Just curious, of all the myriad stuff in schools, why is it that the value of computers are so worthy of suspicion and inspection? What was the last time you questioned the investment in Algebra II or D.A.R.E. or football or health class? As someone who was there at the beginning of laptops in education, I implore you and your colleagues to stop referring to 1:1 program. What is the program? Does your school have a desk program or a bus program or an annoying public address system program? Mark,

Just curious, of all the myriad stuff in schools, why is it that the value of computers are so worthy of suspicion and inspection?

What was the last time you questioned the investment in Algebra II or D.A.R.E. or football or health class?

As someone who was there at the beginning of laptops in education, I implore you and your colleagues to stop referring to 1:1 program. What is the program? Does your school have a desk program or a bus program or an annoying public address system program?

]]> By: Dean Groom http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64519 Dean Groom Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:50:47 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64519 To the above Mark: Because for a decade they had Computer Aideed Instruction apps and approaches. The internet corrupted that, and now Google is absolutely the worst thing teachers can use - but they do, as they don't know any better. They don't understand Google is a commercial algorithmic taxonomy, and that 80% of people use it in preference. The don't know that each search engine actually only shares about 35% of it's index with the next one - they thing each is searching 'the pot'. While we started with ICT exploring and contructing with CAIs, in the rush to get on the 'superhighway' no one thought about a lot of things - as no one could have known. Like Stephen Heppel said recently 'we are at the beginning of learning' ... to which I think, we need to take it all down to bare bones, admit it is a total mess and that we need to start again with ICTs. This 10%/90% thing is just going to burn people up. Start with taxonomy, create frameworks and develop teacher-understanding. This is the whole 'build the plane as it's flying' approach. I agree with Will, we orbit the same issues - and these are not Web2.0, these have been here well before Berners Lee cut his first web-page. I see the issues as more foundational right now. To the above Mark: Because for a decade they had Computer Aideed Instruction apps and approaches. The internet corrupted that, and now Google is absolutely the worst thing teachers can use – but they do, as they don’t know any better. They don’t understand Google is a commercial algorithmic taxonomy, and that 80% of people use it in preference. The don’t know that each search engine actually only shares about 35% of it’s index with the next one – they thing each is searching ‘the pot’. While we started with ICT exploring and contructing with CAIs, in the rush to get on the ‘superhighway’ no one thought about a lot of things – as no one could have known. Like Stephen Heppel said recently ‘we are at the beginning of learning’ … to which I think, we need to take it all down to bare bones, admit it is a total mess and that we need to start again with ICTs. This 10%/90% thing is just going to burn people up. Start with taxonomy, create frameworks and develop teacher-understanding. This is the whole ‘build the plane as it’s flying’ approach. I agree with Will, we orbit the same issues – and these are not Web2.0, these have been here well before Berners Lee cut his first web-page. I see the issues as more foundational right now.

]]> By: Mark http://weblogg-ed.com/2009/my-educon-moment/comment-page-1/#comment-64422 Mark Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:38:18 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=3073#comment-64422 To the other Mark: I think we have to take into account that people "like us" in regards to school 2.0 constitute about 2%-5% of the teachers who are actively practicing right now (that's my estimate... maybe 1%? 7%? Certainly no more than 10%). Because of that, refusing to talk about the merits of tech use and also not creating a clear goal/vision of 21st century schooling is not a good plan. To the other Mark: I think we have to take into account that people “like us” in regards to school 2.0 constitute about 2%-5% of the teachers who are actively practicing right now (that’s my estimate… maybe 1%? 7%? Certainly no more than 10%). Because of that, refusing to talk about the merits of tech use and also not creating a clear goal/vision of 21st century schooling is not a good plan.

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