Lose control of your classroom
I began teaching in 1992 and it has been a lot of fun and an interesting experience. I have learnt a lot about myself and the world around me through these students who are trying to figure out their place in the world.
Now I am in an administrative position running the computer department and the things that frustrated me as a teacher have not changed much in the last 20 years.
During one of my first years teaching I was told that the Assistant Director had some extra time one day and asked if he could come observe in my classroom. My door was always open to anyone so of course I said yes, plus how do you say no to the top Division Office staff. I can't remember what we were working on but I know it was a large project that we had already begun so when he showed up the students were in groups working throughout the classroom. Some were researching, some were building, others planning the event and others working on a presentation. I spent my time going from group to group asking questions, checking up on them, asking them if they needed anything to complete the task. It was an awesome class.
After the observation took place I got to meet with the supervisor. I was excited to hear what he had to say. I was starting my career and this guy was a seasoned, well respected educator. A person you could learn so much from. I believe he was the only person with his Dr. degree in my small rural school division. He gave me a lot of positive feedback and thought the students were on task, excited and engaged in what they were suppose to be doing. He ended with the statement that I didn't really teach when he was there and that he would be returning next week so he could see me "teach" something. The next week I sat the class down and lectured them on some topic and appeased my employer. I got a great report and learnt the important lesson that you keep a spare lesson plan handy in case your boss shows up.
The problem has been the same throughout my school career. I realised early on and through University that I didn't have to actually do much thinking. I had to figure out what the professor or teacher wanted to hear and then regurgitate that information. Creative thinking was not only not encouraged, it was discouraged most of the time.
One event that increased my desire to change the way we do things happened in my high school. We an English teacher that decided the students would use a music video to tell a story. This was in the 80's when MTV actually played music videos. The students were so into this project. People that didn't want to attend school were enthused with this project. The students learnt how to use technology, how to collaborate, and had a great time producing these videos. I then watched as the teacher got in trouble for the lack of control in her classroom because at that time controlling learning meant keep the students quiet and share information with them. The reality was that this teacher was never so more in control of the students learning then when she gave them the opportunity to collaborate, explore and express themselves in a new way.
We now have access to so much technology and it is exciting and frightening at the same time. We have been spending large amounts of money on technology but we have to realise that if we teach the exact same way we did 20 years ago there is very little benefit from any technological device. Maybe we are providing videos on-line of our classes, we have notes so students can catch up when they miss a class, we can project our information on the smartboard so it is easier to see. All of those help keep people organised but the true benefit of technology isn't found in any device. It is found in the connection to the world those devices can bring.
It is time to lose control of the learning in your classroom because by doing so you will control more learning than ever before.
