This is a really good synopsis of our course. Its important to remember to step back and look/appreciate the whole picture. Its so easy to forget to do this, especially when things get crazy
Author: Maria Saxton
Comment on Attention! Can I have your attention please! by Maria Saxton
This video was awesome, I can’t believe I didn’t see the moondancing bear at first! It’s crazy what you can miss if you are focusing on something else.
I appreciate how you tie in the papers effortlessly in your post, and it’s a really comprehensive overview of a lot of issues that the posts bring up. I especially can relate when you say that sometimes you need to unplug from the world to regain a sense of self. I love going on backpacking trips, and sometimes I swear half the reason is because I don’t have to be keeping up with my email and responding to text messages. I definitely think everyone should unplug every once in a while.
Comment on Should there be an age requirement for the use of technology? A time limit? by Maria Saxton
Nice post! I definitely agree– when kids are given access to technology, they are 100% focused on it. This was a great thing when I used to babysit kids in my town, but looking back, I wish I had thought to limit their time on their computers, ipads, etc. I cannot even fathom being their age and being glued to computer screens like so many of them are now. But then again, I always have valued being outside and running around, and realize that not all people value that. I bet there are parenting blogs on this exact topic with some really good insight and perspectives.
Comment on Paulo Freire’s Advice by Maria Saxton
Thanks for sharing these inspiring quotes. They are good reminders to keep you in check while teaching. Especially the quote about tolerance– this is so important in every classroom. Not saying that teachers are ever intolerant, but there’s something to be said for making this a focal point of every classroom. It will create a healthier, more welcoming learning environment overall.
Comment on Achieving Diversity without Doing a Disservice by Maria Saxton
Really good post– I can definitely relate. I sometimes feel that diversity is such a sensitive issue that it often makes situations more awkward if an individual is singled out, as you suggested.
Cool video too, I’d never seen it before. Gives you a good perspective!
Comment on What Harry Potter Taught Me About Teaching: Be a McGonagall, not a Lockhart. by Maria Saxton
Love this post, mostly because I’m a huge HP fan too ?
All awesome references aside, I really like how you come back full circle at the end of the post and recognize that you don’t necessarily have to be just like a Hogwarts professor, such as McGonagall. Certainly they can serve as inspirations, but every “teaching voice” should be unique.
As an aside, wouldn’t it be cool if they did a “What Hogwarts Professor Are You Most Like?” quiz, instead of a “What House Are You?” one. Heck, maybe they already have that.
Comment on Brain Puzzle and Unspeakable Intension : On-line Course Learning by Maria Saxton
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I’ve had both good and bad experiences with online courses– I really think it depends on what the course content is. For instance, I took an art history course online during my undergraduate years, and it was actually really engaging and I learned a lot. There were definitely a lot of readings, but I was actually more inclined to read and focus in the comfort of my home. However, I also took an online math course (unfortunately it was the only way to take this particular math course), and I found it impossible to learn the information from a video lecture, primarily because I had so many questions and the content was rushed.
So all in all, I think online courses can be a good thing if they are done correctly– as you said, they are often more work, but if the content is learn-able from afar, it can be a positive experience
Comment on The Bright Side of Competition Projects by Maria Saxton
Thanks for sharing your project! I’m the same as you– if there is a project, even one with an element of competition– I always feel like I’m learning more than in a traditional lecture-based course. There’s pros and cons to both, but when you work on a project like this you learn more than just facts. You learn how to think critically, communicate with others, problem-solve, and more.
Comment on The Bright Side of Competition Projects by Maria Saxton
Thanks for sharing your project! I’m the same as you– if there is a project, even one with an element of competition– I always feel like I’m learning more than in a traditional lecture-based course. There’s pros and cons to both, but when you work on a project like this you learn more than just facts. You learn how to think critically, communicate with others, problem-solve, and more.
Comment on Childhood is a journey, not a race…. Lessons from my daughter by Maria Saxton
Thanks for sharing this story. It’s amazing how kids can put these type of situations in a new perspective. I enjoyed when you remarked that learning is a journey, rather than a race– this is so true, and something that is easily forgotten (I forget this all the time). Sometimes people have difficulty looking past letter/number grades to realize the value of what they are learning. Looking back, I can think of many instances where I was more concerned with my grade than the information I was actually learning. I’d imagine that an alternative grading solution, much like your daughter’s “non-traditional” school, would make a huge difference in students who think this way.
