Comments on: Striving to encourage natural learning at School http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:28:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: DigiZen: Un blogfesor aprendiendo » Lista de artículos recomendados mediante widget de Blinklist http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/comment-page-1/#comment-39039 DigiZen: Un blogfesor aprendiendo » Lista de artículos recomendados mediante widget de Blinklist Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:14:12 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/#comment-39039 [...] Striving to encourage natural learning at School » Moving at the Speed of Cre.. [...] [...] Striving to encourage natural learning at School » Moving at the Speed of Cre.. [...]

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/comment-page-1/#comment-39023 Wesley Fryer Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:46:40 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/#comment-39023 Well said, Amy. And you are most welcome, I'm glad you've found some of my reflections helpful! :-) Well said, Amy. And you are most welcome, I’m glad you’ve found some of my reflections helpful! :-)

]]> By: vejraska http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/comment-page-1/#comment-39020 vejraska Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:18:44 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/#comment-39020 Well you know I love to talk about this Wes:) This is the time of year where I start to get nervous/excited about what is to come. I have learned over the years that I need to just chill out and let it happen. I could get my first 3 weeks of plans all written, and make copies of worksheets, but that would be a waste of time for me, because when those 24 bright new faces walk through my door the whole plan will go out the window, and I will begin to unravel the mystery and wonder of each kid. I will throw out a topic, then listen to the direction they take it. I will use that to create lessons that will engage them. Sometimes it is frantic...I am constantly searching for links and updating my webpage on the fly. Sometimes it totally doesn't work the way I want it to, but that is a lesson in itself, and so is the time spent discussiong how we can get back to what we need to know. It is scary sometimes to give up the control, and there are days when I do have to regain a tight grip of the reigns and get some district mandated stuff out of the way, but for the most part the classroom is defined by the actions of the studnets and I am just there for crowd control:) The more I do it, the easier it is, and sometimes I feel guilty for the lack of time I actually spend directly instructing them. I am lucky that I have a principal who allows me this freedom, and I am certain that my students are truly learning about as naturally as they can 'between the bells'. Thanks by the way for continually great posts- I have learned a lot by reading your blog this past year.:) Well you know I love to talk about this Wes:) This is the time of year where I start to get nervous/excited about what is to come. I have learned over the years that I need to just chill out and let it happen. I could get my first 3 weeks of plans all written, and make copies of worksheets, but that would be a waste of time for me, because when those 24 bright new faces walk through my door the whole plan will go out the window, and I will begin to unravel the mystery and wonder of each kid. I will throw out a topic, then listen to the direction they take it. I will use that to create lessons that will engage them. Sometimes it is frantic…I am constantly searching for links and updating my webpage on the fly. Sometimes it totally doesn’t work the way I want it to, but that is a lesson in itself, and so is the time spent discussiong how we can get back to what we need to know. It is scary sometimes to give up the control, and there are days when I do have to regain a tight grip of the reigns and get some district mandated stuff out of the way, but for the most part the classroom is defined by the actions of the studnets and I am just there for crowd control:) The more I do it, the easier it is, and sometimes I feel guilty for the lack of time I actually spend directly instructing them. I am lucky that I have a principal who allows me this freedom, and I am certain that my students are truly learning about as naturally as they can ‘between the bells’. Thanks by the way for continually great posts- I have learned a lot by reading your blog this past year.:)

]]> By: Carl Zetterlund http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/comment-page-1/#comment-39016 Carl Zetterlund Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:14:26 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/07/31/striving-to-encourage-natural-learning-at-school/#comment-39016 The most important aspect that is missed is selling the subject to the student. In other words, what's in it for me when I learn this. For example, I had a very difficult time with English classes. No teacher convinced me the benefits. Sure, there are some intro pages to a textbook, but even those never worked for me. I think teachers need to sell what they are teaching all the time. Some teachers briefly mention it in the first class, but then we forget. I think the problem stems from that most teachers studied the subject because that's what they love. However, most students will not share those feelings, so it must be explained to them in another way. How will learning this make a student achieve his goals running a successful business? How will learning this let the student achieve his or her goals? It's not easy because you have to jump into another mindset and perspective. The best teachers I've had were teachers with real world experience. They made it real naturally because the subject had helped them in real ways. Unsurprisingly, these teachers are the ones who diverge from the "technician" type of teaching whenever possible. Once sold, the students will start to care. Caring is the first step to learning naturally. I whole heartily agree with everything above. Keep in mind that I'm not a teacher, but a recent graduate of the American school system (3rd to college). The most important aspect that is missed is selling the subject to the student. In other words, what’s in it for me when I learn this. For example, I had a very difficult time with English classes. No teacher convinced me the benefits. Sure, there are some intro pages to a textbook, but even those never worked for me. I think teachers need to sell what they are teaching all the time. Some teachers briefly mention it in the first class, but then we forget.

I think the problem stems from that most teachers studied the subject because that’s what they love. However, most students will not share those feelings, so it must be explained to them in another way. How will learning this make a student achieve his goals running a successful business? How will learning this let the student achieve his or her goals? It’s not easy because you have to jump into another mindset and perspective.

The best teachers I’ve had were teachers with real world experience. They made it real naturally because the subject had helped them in real ways. Unsurprisingly, these teachers are the ones who diverge from the “technician” type of teaching whenever possible.

Once sold, the students will start to care. Caring is the first step to learning naturally.

I whole heartily agree with everything above. Keep in mind that I’m not a teacher, but a recent graduate of the American school system (3rd to college).

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