I assume everyone is soooooo excited to come back to class? Anyway, for the next few weeks we will be working on video production. . .from you learning how to use iMovie to small groups making movies around issues of social justice. And in between, you can work on everything else that is in your procrastination queue. . .
Headphones would be a great thing to bring to class for the next few weeks, as you will be working with music and dialogue!
Journal 8: Hopefully, y'all received the lastest issue of L&L. . .I would suggest reading the article "Virtual Schooling", by Niki Davis and Dale S. Niederhausen. If you find a more interesting article from the issue, feel free to use it instead. . .just ensure you cite it correctly in the blog.
This week's question: If you were able to change one thing about K-12 education, what would it be? Think about your personal history of education, the institutional structure of K-12 education, or the pedagogy of your teachers. . .
48 comments:
If I could change anything about K-12 schooling I would bring back nap time. I recently saw a news clip about naps being good for you and I feel we all could use a nap or attitude adjustment.
I would change the way school is and try and make it fun. I think that if kids wanted to go to school then they would all learn more.
If i could change anything about K-12 schooling i would defenetely incorporate bilingual settings. I think that if we incorporate other languages at an earlier age students will be prepared for college and social settings.
If I could change one thing about K-12 schooling it would be the way that learning has become super competative. Students are encouraged to compete against each other for the best grades, who can learn the information the quickest and who can be the best. I think it is important for us and our students to compete only against ourselves and challenge each other to do the best we can as individuals.
The thing I would change about K-12 schooling is ensuring that every class participated in PE. I remember when i was in school it wasnt required until i think middle school and in elementary we would do it rarely. It would be a positive idea to allow more time in school for PE or at least some form of physical education to keep kids active.
I would create a different system for homework. I think young children spend enough time in school. Maybe older students could receive homework, but most families today have little free time. Both parents work and often don't get the kids home from day care until 6:00 pm. By the time dinner is over, everyone is tired. They should deserve some time to rest. Also, bad grades because home is not done creates a negative association with school.
i would have to agree with jose in regards to including bilingualism in the classroom. I feel that bilingual education will better prepare children for later exposure to different cultures and languages. And as we have learned in different psych and soc classes, once an individual knows one other language than their primary language it is easier to pick up other ones (a third and fourth) We are the only country where children aren't taught another language in primary school, so many other individuals in the world gro up learning not only their primary language, but also another such as english, french or spanish. I want my children to be well rounded and prepared to come in contact with many different people from many different backgrounds- and i want them to have the opportunity to communicate not just in english but also in other languages and cultures.
If I could change anything about K-12 schooling, it would be to lower the homework load. I am currently tutoring two foster children, whom have a work load bigger than I have ever seen, and they are in second and fourth grade. The other problem with this is that most of the homework requires parent participation, and if the student's parents work, they are most likely going to have a harder time receiving the grades that students with say-at-home mom and dads achieve. Most work should be done in the classroom, and homework should be fun for students and only used as a review.
I would push the 20-1 ratio. I think it's really important for kids to recieve the attention they need when learning so having smaller classrooms is a step toward this goal.
IF i could bring anything back, it would be to seperate school between male and female complete with uniforms, this would be best for high school, taking out most of the drama that happens there. The uniforms would make everyone equell no rich or poor.
I would make it more student-centered. I feel that too often school is designed for the convenience of the adults in the environment and not what works well for kids. The extremely early start times for high schools and middle schools is one example of this.
One of the things that I would definitely change from my K-12 education would be the time that my high school classes started...at 7:30 a.m.! I don't think that teenagers can think clearly that early in the morning.
I would change the permanence of tenured teachers. Just because a teacher has tenure doesn't mean that they should be able to get away with robbery just as long as you didn't molest a student or misuse funds. I had a teacher in high school like I'm sure many of you did that was incapable of instruction but because he was tenured he maintained his teaching position 50 years after his prime!!
Without question I would and plan on being a part of changing our method of student evaluation through tests. I highly disagree with putting complete emphasis on student's knowledge through standardizing testing. We need to understand that not everyone test the same way and in order to truely evaluate skills we will need to come up with different and more creative methods of testing.
I would push critical reading and analysis. It is imperative for students who wish to continue to higher education to have the ability to critically analyze text and understand it. Critical analysis was a skill I had to acquire when I got to college. Had I had the skill to do it prior to coming, it would have made many classes much easier.
I would like to see the classrooms for 3rd-5th only have 20 students in them as well as the lower elementary grades. I think this would benefit all students in the classroom and allow the teacher to provide more individualized attention to students.
Academics are a very important part of school. Infact it is the most important part but I feel that there needs to be room made to allow students to imbrace their culture and others so that all students can feel important and at the same time learn about their fellow classmates. It is extremely important that students are able to coexist with other people and cultures since our nation is so satuated with culture
If I could change anything I would bring back time for P.E. and make it an important class. I would make it a requirement for all 12 years, make time for it, and make it a real class for all students.
If i could change one thing about k-12 education it would be the language aspect. This world is quickly shrinking due mainly to business and technology and it is arrogant and puts our students at a disadvantage to only teach one language in our schools. A second language needs to be taught before middle school and reinforced throughoput the k-12 grades
If I could change one thing about K-12 Schooling, I would change the way we interface with our students. I would like to find a sort of general formula to relate our subject matter to our students. We can’t pander to all students’ interests for any length of time. By doing that also, we would be insulting the students themselves by simply showing a just smidgen of their culture without any thought given to their individual struggles and problems.
All I could think of changing about schooling throughout K-12 would be the attitude towards school. Children dread school at a certain point in their life because school's boring, if it was fun imagine the possibilities children will have in a classroom.
I think that I would want to integrate more diversity courses because I think that it would help students to appreciate their differences. If we did that, we could help to erase some of the misconception that different groups have against each other.
I think that I would want to integrate more diversity courses because I think that it would help students to appreciate their differences. If we did that, we could help to erase some of the misconception that different groups have against each other.
If I could change anything about K-12 education, I would definitely change the school curriculum. Ever since I have been taking Education 364 (multi cultural education), I would definitely incorporate different diversities and cultures in every subject so that the curriculum is not just a one-sided theory (Euro-American view).
P.E in schools is getting cut more and more as test scores weaken though that might be the problem-- students need breaks and time to disengage in their studies and just to release their energy. I believe there's two main recess breaks throughout the day. I think the teacher should incorporate more class games and planned activities during recess every once in awhile.
If I could change something in K-12 schooling I would implement a good program of PE, not just take out children to run or play. Exercise is essential for a healthy life.
I am sure this is not the most popular choice, but I would make the school day longer and bring in a couple of different subjects. I would like to make the day long enough to include a foreign language class and a music lesson. I know it is unrealistic for funding reasons, but we are behind in education to several other countries who follow a format such as this. I feel this would give kids a chance that are more inclined to be artistic in music a chance to express that, whether their parents can afford lessons or not. I also think it would help with the gap between our many students that don't speak English well yet, if the other kids were learning a language and seeing how hard that is.
I would change some of the tests that really dont show how much a student knows. I would make school very fun in order to want students to come.
If I could change anything about K-12 schooling I would definitely implement bilingualism from Kindergarden. Many children throughout the world learn to speak several languages at an early age. Bilingualism is present in Asia/Europe in all societal classes. However, research indicates,"Their are communitive, distinct cognitive and cultural advantages to being bilingual." Our children will have a socioeconomical advantage, greater employment opportunities, and higher income level.
If I could change anything about K-12 education I would incorporate more physical education classes (starting at a younger age), make them more fun, and change some of the grading processes. I can remember in high school we were graded based on our physical ability. I don’t agree with that specific way of grading and think that a grade should consider effort and improvement.
If I could change anything I would like to see teachers become more culturally aware. Our biggest challenge in the classroom is building relationships with our students. Connecting with students is a priority if learning is to take place. You can't teach students that you don't know.
If I could change one thing....I would reverse Proposition 13!
I would incorporate learning through the arts more.
If I could change one thing about K-12 schooling, I would change the pay that teachers receive. Teachers go through a lot of schooling, long work days, and are very respected in socitey yet they're still paid so low! Teachers don't go into the field for the money but I think it would be a nice bonus!
I think that the arts, especially music and theater should be a priority in k-12 education. I spent allot of time last semester at San Diego School of Performing Arts and was amazed by the drama program, I wish that I would have had that kind of opportunity when I was in school.
I would change standardized testing in K-12. I think there is too much of an emphasis on these tests and that changing our curriculum to accommodate these tests are taking away the creativity and excitement in learning.
I think i would change the stress that is put on students even in elementary school students are stressed about homework and being in line with the rest of the class
The one thing I would change about K-12 education is to bring back more physical education, music, and art. Because in my opinion they are just as important to a well rounded education as math and english. Unfortunately, with the push for higher test scores in math and english some of these programs are being cut and I think that is very unforunate!
If I could change anything about the k-12 education it would have to be bringing back the fun!! I would have more activites for the children in class such as music and art and I would have them be in a PE class more often during the week!
I would have sex education/growing and changing taught at all levels, including Kindergarten. It's so important to address our bodies and feelings and it's been shown that in other countries that implement this, they have a lower teen-pregnancy rate.
Actually talk about it as opposed to not and then wonder what's happening to our youth????gasp....what a concept.
i would include more art classes! i loved art and i hardly got to do it in middle or high school except as an elective
If I could change something in K-12 schooling it would be to add billigual settings. It amazes me that as a culture we don't take advantage of the most opportune times to learn a second language and in effect cause our children to struggle with it the rest of their lives.
I would have encouraged more of a community in the classroom, and have less of a focus on individual success. Learning how to work together and problem-solve is so important.
If I was able to change on thing about K-12 education it would be the requirements for teachers in the classroom. In high school I had a lot of teachers that weren't very engaging or didn't seem to care a lot about there job. Don't get me wrong. I also had a lot of great teachers, but I think there should be structure so some teachers will have to follow it.
One thing I would change about K-12 schooling would be the amount of HW. In lower grades the amount of HW is small, which is fine. But usually after 6th grade it starts increasing. Many students in this upper grade levels have already their own chores at home, which might include cleaning or taking care of little ones. In high school students have to start working and saving for a car and their future education. So HW doesn't get done effectively or at all. This is why I would have less HW assigned to our students of upper grade levels.
I agree with Jose and all the others that want more bilingual education in the early grades. My daughter wasn’t offered Spanish as a choice for an elective until 9th grade! This is Escondido. I grew up in CT and started Spanish in 8th grade. With the research available now it’s obvious they should have the option in elementary school and beyond. However, I would most like to see more power given to teachers and other educators. I grew up with a profound respect for teachers. That’s one of the reasons I am trying to join them in the great things they do at my late age. But, it seems that every Tom, Dick, and Harry has their own opinion about how education should be reformed and they want to use their vote to micromanage the classroom.
I would probably change a lot of things about K-12 schooling including the all the standardized testing and the arts education. I understand and agree that teachers need to be held accountable. However, I think it’s gotten out of hand. I see so many teachers handing out “practice tests” to the kids constantly. I also think that the arts should be more integrated into the classroom. They are proven to be beneficial in so many ways and should be taken advantage of.
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