I know I've been on this trend of talking about students and teachers really working together to get the best out of the lessons and what not. But, I just think it is crucial to remember in order to have a really wholesome classroom. This idea was brought up again in Kajder when Kristen says, "They had so much energy around this, and they were totally in alignment with the outcomes I wanted them to meet" (79). Kristen's students were so excited to participate and even help make the requirements; that is what I want my class to be like. I think they were so enthusiastic because they actually had a say in their assignment. It gave them the chance to teach themselves.
This is where the "Teaching Together" aspect comes into play. We all know that when you teach something, it helps you to learn the material even more. So, why not have these students teach it too? Through these podcasts the students were able to learn more about the subject, and by having others listen they were forced look into their information more as not to make mistakes while educating their peers. This is a great way to get students more involved; and once again, even the playing field so they feel the teacher respects their opinions. In return, the students respect the teacher and the classroom becomes comfortable and open.
Basically, I just think Kristen had a great idea. It sounds like her students were engaged and very willing to participate. It was the kind of project that you remember even once you graduate, and then tell other people about when you're studying to be a teacher...or maybe you just blog about it.
I 100% agree with working together in the classroom, both student and teacher. This is also something I find very important because without cooperation in the classroom, the classroom would not be able to function properly and the students would not get as much out of it as they should. As a teacher, getting a student to stay engaged in something shows that what you are doing is working and they are learning something new. It is a great trend to keep talking about because I think it is up there in importance.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this passage, too. The fact that the teacher took the suggestions of the students to heart and allowed these suggestions to make her podcasting project way better than it was at the start. A lot of teachers would have been insulted by students telling them that their project could be improved, but Kristen took the comments in stride. That's what we as teachers have to do. This is especially true when it comes to the technology that we have been talking about in class. Kids often understand how that technology works in the "real world" than teachers do when we're more bent on seeing how it can apply to the classroom. For this reason alone, we have to be open to suggestions from our students.
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