How to Stay Relevant ?
Recently I heard this idea that teachers, nowadays, are preparing students for jobs that
may not even exist yet. If this is true, then how on earth do I alter the way I teach to reflect the future needs of my students? How do I stay relevant, as a teacher, if the fundamentals of the current curriculum in education is no longer meeting the needs of the students in preparing them for their future careers?
Recently, I've been observing a bunch of different teachers at a local jr. high. I've noticed that some teachers have embraced this changing dynamic while other have not. Despite what you may be thinking, it's not just the old teachers that are struggling. It's usually the top teachers at the school, according to their students test scores, that are the most resistant to change. Because, why change it, if you're still being told your the best?
The problem lays in whether current testing models really predict a students future success in the marketplace. In my opinion, standardized testing is no longer an accurate predictor of students future success in the college setting, nor their success in the job market.
What can you do, you ask? I believe the curriculum of teachers needs to focus on skills rather than content. As a history teacher, it's pointless to have students memorize dates, places and times when they have that data at the click of their fingers. What's going to set them up for success is the skills I can teach them in discernment, article analysis, persuasive writing, team collaboration and organization. (etc. etc. etc. ) This change in educational ideology along with the implementation of technology into the curriculum will be the best thing I can do for my students.
For more information to help you stay relevant, check out these 4 amazing teaching blogs.
The Cult of Pedagogy
This is a fantastic blog written by Jennifer Gonzalez, a former middle school language arts teacher. In her blog she addresses a range of effective teaching strategies, lessons learned in the field, and exciting new innovations in teaching. Not only is this blog hilarious, but it's extremely informative. It's a must for any teacher looking to stay relevant in the field of teaching.
Teach Paperless
This is a collaboratively written blog dedicated to conversations and commentary about becoming a blended learning classroom. It specifically focuses on the intertwined worlds of digital technology, new media, and education. While it's no longer active under this name, this is a great place to start. If you find you can't get enough, there is a link to their other blog
"FieldMarks" that focuses on professional development and learning in the digital age.
"FieldMarks" that focuses on professional development and learning in the digital age.
History Tech
This is a great blog for social studies teachers who are looking at innovative ways to incorporate technology trends into their classroom. Written by a former history teacher, Glenn Wiebe covers new emerging trends and issues related to the use of technology in the social studies classroom.
The History Channel This Is Not
If it's not obvious, this is a rather irreverent, humorous blog written by Nate Kogan. In this blog you'll find some hilarious antidotes about Kogan's thoughts and experiences teaching history. As with the other blogs listed, he addresses ways he has incorporated technology into his classrooms and how that's worked or rather not worked in some situations.
No comments:
Post a Comment