Comments on: Nervous Writing / Well-Trained Teachers

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:56:17 +0000

I would agree. I’ve seen PD done very effectively, even offering Masters level credit through colleges for taking the training. Most schools, however, tend to shortcut trainings with collaboration and peer teachings. While many of my colleagues have a wealth of information to share, none of the peer-to-peer ‘trainings’ have measured up to PD offerings that have been done by experts in their fields and were brought in to specifically train teachers.

By: Cira Siso

Cira Siso — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:16:07 +0000

The motivation shown through some children by writing fanfiction is founded in interest–they do it for fun! And I just wonder that if we allowed students the chance to publish creative writing assignments on venues such as blogs, if they wouldn’t be more motivated. I agree with you–it definitely is not hard to share writing pieces with a wide audience nowadays because of the internet!
And the last point on your post is so true. I truly believe that people have to learn to try things for themselves in order to develop individualistic perspectives, rather than relying on the direction of another and thus the perspective of another.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:29:14 +0000

I think that there are a couple of different issues in the case of teachers using iPads without training. One is use of the technology itself. I have not used Apple products either personally or in my profession, but because I feel very comfortable with technology, I would not hesitate to explore and learn how to use an iPad on my own. There are, however, many teachers out there who seem to be intimidated by technology and wouldn’t know where to begin. It relates to the concept of the generational gap that exists in technology, where many of the older generation teachers do not have the same kind of technological fluency as the younger generation. Of course, this is merely a generalization, but it seems to be research-based from what I’ve read.

Then there is the issue of integration of that technology into the classroom. That in itself presents challenges to many teachers.

I don’t necessarily think that formal training is required (although it couldn’t hurt), but I like the idea of teachers sharing with one another both how to use the technology, and how to integrate it. What about setting up blogs in districts for teachers to share ideas? I think that would be a good way to encourage collaboration among teachers who may often feel isolated anyway.

By: Bill Farren

Bill Farren — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:47:34 +0000

I just watched my 5 year old nephew use an iPad last weekend. It was the first time he had ever seen one. He never asked to be “trained” before using it. He seemed to manage just fine. Sure, he wasn’t helping others do wonderful things with it, but he was “training” himself about its possibilities. Mostly unschooled, he doesn’t expect others to manage his learning for him. Yet. I’m sure there are many passive educators out there that can’t wait to get their hands on his active learning style and hammer down all the sharp edges.
Bothers me enough to blog about it. http://www.ed4wb.org/?p=426

By: Will Richardson

Will Richardson — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:59:26 +0000

@Beth…Exactly. Why can’t we do that with most of this stuff?

By: Beth Knittle

Beth Knittle — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:50:10 +0000

This is what we have done in our district. We have about 10 iPads. We loaded them with a variety of apps and left in a school for a couple of weeks and then bring it to the next. We are asking teachers & specialist for their opinions of how they might be used. Teachers are innovated and creative, they are happy to be part of our mini research project.

Though a few have asked for training before they take them. I have said we have not had time to play/explore with them ourselves, go have fun and let us know what you think. They are having a blast and we are getting great feed back.

By: enged

enged — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:42:52 +0000

Great insight! It is true that as teachers I think we pass these habits onto our own students. It is funny that most teachers will not try something out without some formal training. With this in mind, if as teachers we are doing this then we are definitely modeling this as well.
The key here is to model open writing to students and walk them through what it is like to open up to a public forum. After all, my students are the natives and I am the non-native, why not give them the upper hand for once?

By: links for 2010-06-01 | Creating a Path for Learning in the 21st Century

links for 2010-06-01 | Creating a Path for Learning in the 21st Century — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:14:08 +0000

[...] Weblogg-ed » Nervous Writing / Well-Trained Teachers "I often show FanFiction.net in my presentations as an example of passionate participation. I happen to know a couple of kids (here’s one) who do fanfic on a fairly regular basis, and every now and then I check in and dig around for some good stuff to read. It’s usually not too hard to find. Anyway, Tucker has been checking out the Percy Jackson stories fairly regularly since after the fifth time through the series, I think the books are finally starting to lose their luster. Some of the Fanfic stories he likes more than others, but the cool thing is that he’s been thinking of trying his hand at writing something himself. But at almost 11, he’s still a little nervous about putting something up there for everyone to see, regardless of his own anonymity in the process." (tags: blogs weblogg willrichardson Will_Richardson fanfiction) [...]

By: Stu Hasic

Stu Hasic — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:52:11 +0000

Here are a couple of cartoons my son put together for my blog post on this topic:
http://paralleldivergence.com/2009/09/04/you-better-start-swimmin-or-youll-sink-like-a-stone/

By: Gary Stager

Gary Stager — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:14:44 +0000

Andrew,

Another wrinkle is that someone away from the classroom decided, “iPad!” Then everyone else is expected to jump-to and find a way to justify that decision – often in the most trivial and superficial fashion.

This is less the case when a more fully-realized intervention like “every child will have a full-function multimedia laptop” is initiated.

The jury is still out on the iPad.

Now, when you talk about teacher fear/approach/reticence/comfort regarding “technology,” that’s a whole other matter that makes me increasingly impatient as I approach 30 years of begging, bribing, cajoling, threatening, seducing, tricking teachers to use computers.

We may be facing a disorder, like oppositional defiance, when those charged with teaching others to learn, refuse to learn themselves.

By: Train me. – ijohnpederson

Train me. – ijohnpederson — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:18:05 +0000

[...] via Weblogg-ed » Nervous Writing / Well-Trained Teachers. [...]

By: Steve Ransom

Steve Ransom — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:26:37 +0000

“Our teachers won’t do anything with technology unless we give them training.”

Yes, on the surface this is a sad statement. But, think a little more deeply in terms of the historical track record of how new technologies (and other new initiatives) have been handled and managed (mangled?) in schools. Teachers have evolved with this evolutionary (not revolutionary) protective exoskeleton around them. Before significant change in this regard is going to happen for many teachers, that layer of self-preservation needs to be peeled away in a way that feels safe and empowering rather than painful and threatening. To me, this is a reflection (indictment) on the culture of school at large and its leadership.

As you say, Will, “We’ve done the same thing to our teachers that we’re doing to our kids…” So, let’s stop doing it. I think the stopping of the massive oil leak in the Gulf is more easily done.

By: Heather Mason

Heather Mason — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:36:31 +0000

I disagree that the comment is a sign of learned helplessness. Instead it is a rather sad commentary on how that paticular person views teachers…that without her expertise, teachers are helpless. Teachers who want to use tech use it when it is available. Teachers who are looking for new ways to do things, watch the teachers who are using tech and then try it out for themselves. The teachers who want to stay the way they are do so…regardless of training. Training is a way of justifying the cost of the equipment.

That being said, maybe it’s time to look at other ways to encourage teachers to embrace technology other than just district mandated training sessions.

By: tcomfort

tcomfort — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:35:40 +0000

teachers feel the need to have their fingers in everything, we love to create rubrics a mile long to evaluate student writing. There is great joy in blog writing when you know someone will appreciate it, the chance of having someone dissect your writing style is low. I plan to use fanfiction a ton next year, I heard about it in Saskatoon at your keynote.

By: Gary Stager

Gary Stager — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:58:10 +0000

Tom,

Discussion, collaboration, deliberation, consultation, planning are NOT what educators mean when they say, “training.”