Will Richardson makes a simple request of the educators who read his book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms: "Before you attempt to bring these [web-based] technologies to your students, first be selfish about their use in your own learning practice" (Richardson, 8). Richardson asks educators to consider four questions (9):- What are your passions?
- Who are your teachers? Are they all in physical space?
- How are you building your own learning networks using these tools?
- In this new environment, how are you modeling your learning for your students?
Let's take a few moments to reflect on these questions and share our response(s) to one or more of the questions.
Both Richardson's statement and your first question make me reflect on why I want to become an educator. My favorite and most impacting teachers were those that had lived a life where their experiences informed the subject that they taught. And, moreover, their experiences made them passionate about their subjects.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite English teacher loved poetry, loved drama, and loved grammar (especially diagramming). And he combined his passions to bring out the meaning and power of many books and poems, like when he acted out a scene from Lord of the Flies while wearing a pig mask, or when he threw himself down the library stairs acting out a scene from A Separate Peace.
I think that someone who teaches like that teaches from something deeper than, "Now, class, open your books to chapter four ..." And that's the teacher I want to be.
I agree: the teachers who make the most impact usually connect with students because they express passion toward life and learning. I love to reflect on the teachers who made a big difference in my life and aspire to play a similar role in the lives of my students.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I want my students to embrace is the idea that it is okay to be a "dork". It is okay to know a lot about something and communicate your thoughts in an enthusiastic way. I love giving high fives - so dorky - and get such a kick out of seeing a big football player or an image-conscious fashionista give me a high five after solving a tricky math problem or nailing a tricky SAT passage. I want to see my kids dork out about learning.
I think blogs exist because people feel passionate enough to share their thoughts and experiences on a regular basis with the public. Blogs are a forum for passion. Richardson asks his readers to think about their own passions. Here are a few of mine. I love reading tv/film blogs (especially the avclub and alan sepinwall) and the occasional music blog (like altered zones); I like reading abut science and therefore enjoy blogs like the Frontal Cortex and websites like apod; I love the sport of diving and follow a few strangers on youtube who post video footage of diving competitions from around the world; and I enjoy reading the musings of intellectuals at "the edge".
ReplyDeleteI would have to answer the question in reference to my passions. I am passionate about my students and making sure that they realize that there are many lessons to be learned in a book. I want them to know the importance of reading and how it furthers their education. I am also passionate about my students understanding the need for an imagination. As long as they have an imagination, they will be willing to try new things. This will make them open to life long learning.
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