Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Currently
This blog is on hiatus. I haven't given up on the ideas behind it. But I want to develop them more thoroughly, etc.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Recently Visited
People for Education, a site devoted to public education in Ontario.
Saturday, May 01, 2004
FYI
It’s a bit premature, but I thought you would appreciate knowing how all of this got started, what my intentions are, etc.
Welcome to Teach to Change, the first blog that I’ve dedicated to my current passion, teaching. I don’t plan on discussing my adventures. (I have a personal blog for that.) whatever becomes of this site, it will be built on my ever-evolving teaching philosophy.
Where’d the name come from?
A couple of weeks ago I went to a meeting at my future alma mater. One of my professors said that she believed in teaching “to change the world”. Right then and there, she articulated what’s been on my mind ever since I decided to become an educator.
I don’t believe that teaching is a stagnant, mechanical profession. Teachers are more than there to provide information (lecture) and evaluate its comprehension (administer and mark exams). I think the profession has a greater purpose. That is what I’m trying to investigate.
Why “Teach to Change”?
Because I believe that’s what we’re here for. In their attempts to influence me to become a teacher, I’ve had people try to attract me to the profession—they mentioned benefits, vacation time, etc…Those things never swayed me.
I’ve started this site out of my belief that you shouldn’t want to be a teacher because of a desire for material gain. Education is about sharing knowledge. I have a real passion for it. Plus, there’s the following simple fact:
Next to a person’s parents, teachers are some of the most influential adults our young people will ever have.
Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders. I believe I have a real affinity for teaching. My intention is to use my powers to influence our kids to do good, not evil. In all earnestness, I think we could stand to improve.
I’ve started this site long before I start my career. I am, admittedly, a dreamer. In launching Teach to Change, I’m thinking of type of teacher I want to be. I want to change young people’s minds for the better. I want to open their eyes. I want my students to think about themselves and their world in new ways. I don’t know if reality will ever match my dreams. But it’s better to dream and try, than to have no vision in mind.
Welcome to Teach to Change, the first blog that I’ve dedicated to my current passion, teaching. I don’t plan on discussing my adventures. (I have a personal blog for that.) whatever becomes of this site, it will be built on my ever-evolving teaching philosophy.
Where’d the name come from?
A couple of weeks ago I went to a meeting at my future alma mater. One of my professors said that she believed in teaching “to change the world”. Right then and there, she articulated what’s been on my mind ever since I decided to become an educator.
I don’t believe that teaching is a stagnant, mechanical profession. Teachers are more than there to provide information (lecture) and evaluate its comprehension (administer and mark exams). I think the profession has a greater purpose. That is what I’m trying to investigate.
Why “Teach to Change”?
Because I believe that’s what we’re here for. In their attempts to influence me to become a teacher, I’ve had people try to attract me to the profession—they mentioned benefits, vacation time, etc…Those things never swayed me.
I’ve started this site out of my belief that you shouldn’t want to be a teacher because of a desire for material gain. Education is about sharing knowledge. I have a real passion for it. Plus, there’s the following simple fact:
Next to a person’s parents, teachers are some of the most influential adults our young people will ever have.
Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders. I believe I have a real affinity for teaching. My intention is to use my powers to influence our kids to do good, not evil. In all earnestness, I think we could stand to improve.
I’ve started this site long before I start my career. I am, admittedly, a dreamer. In launching Teach to Change, I’m thinking of type of teacher I want to be. I want to change young people’s minds for the better. I want to open their eyes. I want my students to think about themselves and their world in new ways. I don’t know if reality will ever match my dreams. But it’s better to dream and try, than to have no vision in mind.
Friday, April 30, 2004
Testing, one...two...
The Grade 10 Literacy Test is in the news again.
Quite honestly, I am waiting for the day that it is abolished. As a teacher, I will administer the test. But that doesn't necessarily mean I will enjoy it. The fairness of the test has been discussed at length in the media. My $0.02?
Among my objections:
The subjective nature of the test questions, and the power that it wields.
Firstly, I remember last year when I volunteered at my old school, my teacher-mentor and I spent a period on a practice version of the literacy test. The students worked on it for their alotted time, and we began to discuss the answers. I don't remember the first question. However I do remember that I got the wrong answer. Or at least, that was according to the set of answers the teachers had received. Several other students got the answer "wrong" as well. I remained mystified, and re-checked the test components--a brief article and its corresponding questions. All of our answers were all perfectly plausible.
Secondly, what if a student takes the test, and simply cannot pass it? What if this occurs repeatedly? Students have the option to take the test again, take a literacy course, etc. However I know of instances where students have had their academic careers ruined over this test. Students with A and B averages, looking forward to preparing for work or post-secondary education. All of their dedication, deemed virtually pointless in a few short hours.
And then there is the anxiety factor. When I was in high-school I was deathly afraid of tests. The word alone, made me uncomfortable. To this day, I am certain that stress stole several marks from my test results.
Today students are no different. Granted, there are those who handle tests with grace. However, there are those whose nervousness makes them freeze. I feel for them...
Quite honestly, I am waiting for the day that it is abolished. As a teacher, I will administer the test. But that doesn't necessarily mean I will enjoy it. The fairness of the test has been discussed at length in the media. My $0.02?
Among my objections:
The subjective nature of the test questions, and the power that it wields.
Firstly, I remember last year when I volunteered at my old school, my teacher-mentor and I spent a period on a practice version of the literacy test. The students worked on it for their alotted time, and we began to discuss the answers. I don't remember the first question. However I do remember that I got the wrong answer. Or at least, that was according to the set of answers the teachers had received. Several other students got the answer "wrong" as well. I remained mystified, and re-checked the test components--a brief article and its corresponding questions. All of our answers were all perfectly plausible.
Secondly, what if a student takes the test, and simply cannot pass it? What if this occurs repeatedly? Students have the option to take the test again, take a literacy course, etc. However I know of instances where students have had their academic careers ruined over this test. Students with A and B averages, looking forward to preparing for work or post-secondary education. All of their dedication, deemed virtually pointless in a few short hours.
And then there is the anxiety factor. When I was in high-school I was deathly afraid of tests. The word alone, made me uncomfortable. To this day, I am certain that stress stole several marks from my test results.
Today students are no different. Granted, there are those who handle tests with grace. However, there are those whose nervousness makes them freeze. I feel for them...
Thursday, April 29, 2004
Welcome to Teach to Change, the first blog that I’ve dedicated to my current passion, teaching.
The decision to become a teacher is something that makes me happy. It makes me scared. It makes me proud. But whatever it makes me…I can hardly wait to get started.
--me, October 6, 2003
In this blog, I plan on focusing on the teaching profession and the education system in my home province of Ontario, and the world, as I see fit. I look forward to watching this project grow.
The decision to become a teacher is something that makes me happy. It makes me scared. It makes me proud. But whatever it makes me…I can hardly wait to get started.
--me, October 6, 2003
In this blog, I plan on focusing on the teaching profession and the education system in my home province of Ontario, and the world, as I see fit. I look forward to watching this project grow.
