Random Instructional Thought

For an independent study project, I thought I could have students generate questions about how something chemistry-ish works - for example, "How is ice cream made?" "How does coffee get decaffeinated?" "What is an octane rating?" etc. etc.

Then, students could post these questions on a wall. I could then use these questions as an anchor activity for the keeners who finish everything in way less time than it took me to plan it, perhaps requiring that each student research at least one question over the course of the term. Once researched, students could present their findings to the class, or make a poster, or design a web-quest , etc.

The wall would, of course, be known as my "Wonderwall."

That made me laugh for about a whole day. *cough* nerd *cough**cough*

John Gatto

I recently read a book entitled "Dumbing Us Down," by a decorated teacher from New York named John Gatto. This book was given to me by a friend at Christmas time, and I read it on a bus trip to Edmonton in January. Mr. Gatto has some radical views on education, and is somewhat pessimistic in nature. He makes a number of good points, though also many that I do not agree with. His main argument is that, contrary to centuries of apprenticeship education, schools today are artificial settings that teach students to be emotionally dependent and take away their intrinsic interest in learning. I can appreciate where Gatto comes from in these instances; however, his advocacy for home schooling is something that I do not agree with, for I see home schooling as just substituting one artificial situation for another. In schools, Gatto argues that students lose the knowledge that can be gained from their elders; in home schooling, I argue that students lose the knowledge that can be gained from their peers. I think Gatto and I can agree on how successful apprenticeship training can be. It would be interesting if apprenticeship training could be extended from the trades to all subject areas as well. Just a thought.

Dance happenings

So, Yevshan is having its 50th anniversary in November, and we are currently in the progress of putting a show together. One of our instructor's associates from Ukraine is staying with us for a month, and writing a whole heck of a lot of music while our instructor choreographs. It's a totally different experience - this guy gave us a rough copy of some music, we choreographed a dance to it, now this guy is editing it to match the choreography. He is quite the accordion wizard. His name is Oleg, by the way.

So Proud

While on my internship, I taught Ukrainian dance in Nipawin. Last weekend, the intermediate group performed at Telemiracle, and the performance was taped and is now up on Youtube. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsfa5Nj0Id4

E-Portfolio Planning Ass't

1. I have chosen to complete an e-portfolio in hopes that it can help land me one of those job things all the kids seem to be talking about. That is assuming, of course, that it turns out well, which I am never too certain of. I am hoping an e-portfolio will showcase aspects of myself that employers may be looking for in their employees. I am also hoping that an e-portfolio can be indirectly used to demonstrate my mad computer skills, for although computer science/multimedia is not one of my teaching areas, it is an area I have always been interested in and would like to pursue as both a learner and a teacher.

2. Specifically, I think that an e-portfolio can be much more user friendly than a traditional portfolio can be. Employers can go through it at their convenience (or with me, should they desire), and focus in on the traits that they find the most important in their employees. In addition, I can also put documents (unit/lesson plans, photos, video, etc.) in there and transform the portfolio experience from being flat and boring to a rich, vibrant viewin experience. As I mentioned above, the portfolio will also showcase some of my computer skills and demonstrate my desire to further myself in that area. Overall, I hope I can present more of a well-rounded view of myself to employers beyond the stodgy particulars of a resume.

3. I plan to include some brief bio stuff, my philosophy of education, my views on assessment and classroom management, past accomplishments (academic and personal), sample lesson/unit plans, and documents like my resume, reference letter, internship report, etc. I will also include a section on my lab activities; if for some reason I cannot land a teaching job, I would be open to a lab job as well, and would like this portfolio to be able to serve both purposes.

4. I want my portfolio to be simple yet elegant, with quiet introspective colors. I think I'll have a main title up top, with a subtitle below. I think then I'll have a menu bar going horizontally, with submenus horizontally below that. I could also put a sub menu bar along the bottom of the screen. I`ll try to keep functionality in mind at all times.

My sketch is at the top of this page.

5. One concern of mine is privacy. I don`t want others (especially students) getting ahold of my digits and e-mail, so I would like to have a login page to access my portfolio. I would include a username and password with my resume when I submit it.