Cindy’s Blog #2 Anti-Teaching & Mindfulness
While reading the piece by Ellen Langer, I immediately thought of how we traditionally have students pick the “one” right answer and how there is only one answer that can be correct out of the 5 choices on a multiple choice test. Given the “paradigm” shift referenced in the writing and the renewed emphasis on critical thinking, the Virginia State Standards of Learning tests have been changed to include Technology Enhanced Items, also known as TEI questions. Students now have questions where they must choose more than one answer, drag and drop selections to a chart, and fill in a Venn Diagram, to name a few. Although some students may struggle with these items which may in turn result in a lower passing percentage for the school, we should appreciate these items that are helping students to use higher order thinking skills to think critically. Most importantly, it reinforces the idea that there can be more than one solution to a problem. Developing this mindset in elementary school will help students apply problem solving skills to real world problems throughout their school career and later in life. A Langer quote that resonated with me was “what we teach” may be less important than “how we teach.” Students can google the content teachers are presenting and some of that content actually changes over time with new discoveries and different perspectives. This week I observed a 4th grade classroom learning about weather. The students viewed the “real” forecast on a big screen, looked at clouds outside, and then worked with partners to collaborate on a Kahoot game on weather related questions. The students were having a blast while incorporating some 21st Century learning skills. Allowing autonomy in the classroom so teachers can be in charge of the “how we teach” part will benefit the students (as long as they have outstanding teachers). I can appreciate many things Sir Ken Robinson had to say in the video we viewed in class. I also decided to watch some of his other videos and found them to be worth the time. This is how you escape Death Valley:
t.co/icFxgy5yL1
You let children do what they do naturally, solve problems and create!
