Wow! As sat through our last night of presentations Monday night, the same thought kept coming to me over and over..."What a diverse and interesting group of educators!". I really was impressed with the final projects each person presented for their final projects and I was so glad that we were able to share with each other. Thank you, each of you!
As I reflect back on the quarter, I can't help but feel that I most certainly have more questions than answers. Throughout the semester I have been challenged, outraged, aggravated, curious, and inspired, and that's just my knee-jerk reaction to the ideas that we've scratched the surface of!!!
I really appreciated the courses where we defined things, such as democracy, schooling, and education. I think that SO many words get thrown around in education, without people completely knowing what they mean in general, let alone within the context of education. The reminder to be aware of definitions was an important one.
I think the most important thing I’ve taken away from the class, is the reminder that in order to be a good educator, I must also be a good student. Authentic and honest inquiry is at the root of what it means to learn. This course has reminded me that quality educators not only provide excellent instruction, but they too are always in the process of questioning and learning more about their field, area of focus, and the world around them in general.
Thus, I submit to you, the top 3 things on my “list-o-further investigation”.
1) The John Dewey Society ~ http://cuip.net/jds/
It seems that Dewey came up a lot in our discussions, and though I appreciate Craig’s knowledge and individual enthusiasm for Dewey, I’d like to know more.
2) The U.S. Department of Education Website and NCLB Resource Page ~
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
I don’t fully understand NCLB. I wish I knew more. This seems a good place to start!
3) UMass Social Justice in Education Homepage ~ http://www.umass.edu/sje/
I didn’t know programs like this even existed…I wonder what great ideas they’re coming up with!!!
This, by no means, is an exhaustive list, rather a starting point of acquiring more knowledge. I look forward to the process!
This blog contains thoughts, ideas, and inspiration from the world of education. Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Magazines, Books and Blogs...Oh My!
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about resources available to educators and how I, personally, don't access them enough. Thus, below is just a small smattering of things that have piqued my interest...
Magazines
Good Magazine
A monthly magazine which looks at social justice and social action locally, nationally and globally.
Newsweek
Brief, engaging and informative!
Teaching Exceptional Children
Published by CEC (Council for Exceptional Children)
Peacework
A magazine that focuses on "Global Thought and Local Action for Nonviolent Social Change." Published by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).
YES!
One of my favorites, easily adaptable to the classroom, in fact, they encourage it!
Books
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
by Daniel Pink
This book argues that business and everyday life will soon be dominated by right-brain thinkers. Pink identifies the roots and implications of transitioning from a society dominated by left-brain thinkers into something entirely different.
The Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Paulo Freire
This book explores the idea that ignorance and lethargy of the poor are the direct result of the whole economic, social and political domination. Through the right kind of education, the book suggests, avoiding authoritarian teacher-pupil models and based on the actual experiences of students and on continual shared investigation, every human being, no matter how impoverished or illiterate, can develop a new awareness of self, and the right to be heard.
Teaching to Transgress
by bell hooks
This book explores insights, strategies, and critical reflections on pedagogical practice.
Tested: One American School Struggles to Make the Grade
by Linda Perlstein
In this book, Perlstein, and education reporter and author, takes an up-close-and-personal style to examine one such school, suburban Maryland's Tyler Heights Elementary. She focuses her investigation around the idea ""What were the test scores about?" and searches for the answers in an honest way.
To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher
by William Ayers
This book is full of vignettes and anectdotes as a teacher, parent, student and observer of classrooms and the art of teaching.
Blogs
A Really Different Place
A fantastic site featuring student and teacher blogs from Broken Arrow Enhanced Learning Center Blog. Parents, Teachers, and Students are all encouraged to observe, blog and read its contents. I think it's an excellent example of technology in the classroom.
Cool Cat Teacher
A fantastic blog about teaching and technology. A simple, honest resource for anyone interested in both!
Edupunk
A frank, funny, exciting blog about education. Always honest, always thought provoking.
This Week In Education
This is an excellent blog that looks at issues in education, in Chicago and beyond, each week.
Good Magazine
A monthly magazine which looks at social justice and social action locally, nationally and globally.
Newsweek
Brief, engaging and informative!
Teaching Exceptional Children
Published by CEC (Council for Exceptional Children)
Peacework
A magazine that focuses on "Global Thought and Local Action for Nonviolent Social Change." Published by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).
YES!
One of my favorites, easily adaptable to the classroom, in fact, they encourage it!
Books
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
by Daniel Pink
This book argues that business and everyday life will soon be dominated by right-brain thinkers. Pink identifies the roots and implications of transitioning from a society dominated by left-brain thinkers into something entirely different.
The Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Paulo Freire
This book explores the idea that ignorance and lethargy of the poor are the direct result of the whole economic, social and political domination. Through the right kind of education, the book suggests, avoiding authoritarian teacher-pupil models and based on the actual experiences of students and on continual shared investigation, every human being, no matter how impoverished or illiterate, can develop a new awareness of self, and the right to be heard.
Teaching to Transgress
by bell hooks
This book explores insights, strategies, and critical reflections on pedagogical practice.
Tested: One American School Struggles to Make the Grade
by Linda Perlstein
In this book, Perlstein, and education reporter and author, takes an up-close-and-personal style to examine one such school, suburban Maryland's Tyler Heights Elementary. She focuses her investigation around the idea ""What were the test scores about?" and searches for the answers in an honest way.
To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher
by William Ayers
This book is full of vignettes and anectdotes as a teacher, parent, student and observer of classrooms and the art of teaching.
Blogs
A Really Different Place
A fantastic site featuring student and teacher blogs from Broken Arrow Enhanced Learning Center Blog. Parents, Teachers, and Students are all encouraged to observe, blog and read its contents. I think it's an excellent example of technology in the classroom.
Cool Cat Teacher
A fantastic blog about teaching and technology. A simple, honest resource for anyone interested in both!
Edupunk
A frank, funny, exciting blog about education. Always honest, always thought provoking.
This Week In Education
This is an excellent blog that looks at issues in education, in Chicago and beyond, each week.
In reviewing this list, I can honestly say the following...
1) I subscribe to both GOOD and YES! magazines, but I'm yet to be able to directly integrate them into my classroom. However, I appreciate being able to read an article at a time and apply the information as I can. Also, I know that there are many more resources out there. I'm working on continuing to acquire at least a list of such publications, in order to stay better up-to-date on current events, globally, locally, and in education.
2) To be honest, all of the books listed on above are on my "to read" list and that list grows literally each day! I think it is the professional responsibility of all educators to continue to learn themselves and books are a great place to start!
3) I appreciate the blogs, as a medium, and it seems new ones "pop up" every day. There are some GREAT educators putting a lot of FANTASTIC ideas out there!
1) I subscribe to both GOOD and YES! magazines, but I'm yet to be able to directly integrate them into my classroom. However, I appreciate being able to read an article at a time and apply the information as I can. Also, I know that there are many more resources out there. I'm working on continuing to acquire at least a list of such publications, in order to stay better up-to-date on current events, globally, locally, and in education.
2) To be honest, all of the books listed on above are on my "to read" list and that list grows literally each day! I think it is the professional responsibility of all educators to continue to learn themselves and books are a great place to start!
3) I appreciate the blogs, as a medium, and it seems new ones "pop up" every day. There are some GREAT educators putting a lot of FANTASTIC ideas out there!
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