Teachers and Online Communication

Ok. So I have been mentally vacant for a couple of days.

The topic of choice today is: Should teachers consider the idea that online communication is very present in the lives of students?

In my opinion, yes. I believe that we should be aware of facebook, myspace, google extras, etc. Not only be aware, but we should use it to our advantage. If you are computer savvy, you could post homework assignments, classroom news, lecture presentations, and other information which in turn gives you access to somewhat absent parents as well.

I know it seems that since as of late students, and some of their parents, are more interested in what is going on in online social circles than in what is taking place in textbooks. We need to take the bull by the horns and do what we do best... take the "negative" and turn it into a classroom positive.

In short, technology and online communication are rapidly advancing. This is our way of reaching a group of students and parents that we were unable to reach in the past. It is also our way of giving our students a competitive edge in the land of technology.

What do you think?

Standardized Testing

So... I was sitting here thinking of all the different things I have encountered working with children and all the complaints that we, as adults, have.

Anyway, a thought about a recent conversation I had with my 1st grade son's principal crossed my mind. It appears that my son put on his own personal strike against Standardized Testing.

At the end of the school year my son decided (while in the middle of Stanford Tests) that he had had enough. He put his pencil down and slid his chair back from his desk. His teacher asked what he was doing and tried to explain with no avail that the test had to be completed. Ultimately, giving up, she sent him to the Principal's office.

The principal and this bright little boy began talking and the conversation went like this...

Principal: "Why aren't you taking the tests?"
Son: "Because we just finished taking tests two weeks ago and I don't understand why we have to keep taking them. Why do we have to take them again?"
Principal: "Well, because the State said we have to."
Son: "Why?"
Principal: "Because everybody has to take them."
Son: "But why? I don't understand why and nobody can tell me why. So I've decided that I will stay in your office until everybody else is done taking them."
Principal: "Well, you can't because I have to test another student."

[At this point my son runs down the names of every adult in the building that he likes. Unfortunately for the principal, my son knows everyone because his older sisters all attend the school and the principal is new.] This conversation leads to this...

Son: "What about Mrs H.? (secretary) Is she testing?"
Principal: "No."
Son: "OK.... so I'll go sit with her."

In the end, the principal was perplexed and outdone by a 6 year old because like most people he has no idea why every year students pull their hair out taking standardized tests.

Exceptional Students

Just the other day I was sitting at home thinking... "Wow I am really about to be a Special Education teacher. This is great! It will be fun! They will love me!".

Today as I was driving to class I thought " Wow I am really going to be a Special Education teacher. What was I thinking?"

Then reality set in. If I were in any other profession, I would go insane. I would lose my mind with the boredom and monotony of the same routine daily. I thanked God and realized that I LOVE those wacky kids that say the first thing that comes to mind. I live for watching their minds click. Good days and bad... I was born for this field.