educators summer symposium
DESCRIPTION
EDUCATORS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM. June 9, 2009 Adjusting the Sails: Teaching When the Waters are Choppy. SAILING WHEN THE WATERS ARE CHOPPY. Pessimist – Complains about the conditions. Optimist – Hopes the conditions will change. Realist – Adjusts the sails. Purpose of today’s session - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EDUCATORS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM
June 9, 2009Adjusting the Sails:
Teaching When the Waters are Choppy
SAILING WHEN THE WATERS ARE CHOPPY
Pessimist – Complains about the conditions.
Optimist – Hopes the conditions will change.
Realist – Adjusts the sails.
Purpose of today’s session Identify the conditions Prepare to adjust the sails
ADJUST THE SAILS A IS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
“Test” is truly a four letter word in education! Most educators identify with the Einstein quote:
“Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.”
Myth – Parents are aware of achievement results.
Fact – Most school decisions are based on convenience.
ADJUST THE SAILS
D IS FOR DIVERSITY Sioux Falls School District
1996 - 97 – White = 91% Diverse = 9% 2008 – 09 – White = 78% Diverse = 22%
Statewide numbers – Native American 1998 12,324 9.41% 2008 14,112 11.66%
ADJUST THE SAILS
D IS FOR DIVERSITY Adjusting the sails
Raise the awareness of different cultures
Create national/international “neighbors”
Current events can be a cultural teaching tool
ADJUST THE SAILS
J IS FOR JOBS The days of “career service” are quickly
ending People will have multiple careers in a lifetime
Teacher Education – Prepare graduates for a career in education (5 – 7 years)
Prepare students for multiple careers
ADJUST THE SAILS
J IS FOR JOBS Adjusting the sails
Continue to encourage all careers for both genders
Unique child – unique talents Recognize the passion Feed the passion
ADJUST THE SAILS
Students of today are Millennials
Born between 1982 – 2003
Fairness is important to Millennials
Not a fan of status quo
U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS
ADJUST THE SAILS Millennials – Favorite
things about school? Friends Special days/field trips Sports Boyfriend/girlfriend Extracurricular
Millennials – Least favorite things about school? Getting up early Tests Homework Length of School Day Peer pressure
ADJUST THE SAILS
U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS
Adjusting the sails Create opportunities for student dialogue Develop student teamwork and management
skills Give students a voice Build media literacy skills
Fact/fiction? Credible/reliable?
ADJUST THE SAILS S IS FOR SKILLS Basic Skills – Needed for any career
opportunity Singapore’s motto – “Teach Less – Learn
More” 21st Century Skills
Communication Problem Solving Teamwork Application of learning
ADJUST THE SAILS
S IS FOR SKILLS Adjusting the sails
Develop components to lessons (communication)
Allow students to have choices
Provide experiences to embed learning
Internships Grade level/Senior
Projects
ADJUST THE SAILS
T IS FOR TIME AND TECHNOLOGY Technology
Allows teachers to personalize curriculum Technology can be “economic equalizer” Teacher becomes partner in learning
Time Variable – not a measure of learning Focus on learning not the calendar
ADJUST THE SAILS
T IS FOR TECHNOLOGY Adjusting the sails
Take a tip from the University system CLEP – prove knowledge prior to coursework On-line learning – flexibility of schedules Development of end of course exams MS/HS – Courses meet 3 – 4 times/week
ADJUST THE SAILS
Conclusion Three reasons why it’s great to be a teacher Schedule – Take some time to enjoy your
summer
Security – Insurance and retirement are blessings
Significance – You are shaping the lives of your students