"We need to talk," the principal tells me.
"Mind if I shut the door?" I ask.
"I do. I have an open door policy to keep up."
"Oh." We sit down at a table and I pull out a hoarhound from his candy dish.
"I see you were playing games today instead of teaching."
"It was an advanced simulation."
"It was a game."
"But not like Tic-Tac-Toe or Dots. This one involved a mock factory, where they were making their pictures and . . ."
"So they were drawing?"
"They were reading as well. They had to read various scenarios and describe their solutions in a text. It was real interactive and the kids were engaged and . . ."
"Do you remember what I said after the Hang Man Fiasco of 1895?"
"No games, period."
He raises an eyebrow at me. I gulp hard and almost swallow my hoarhound.
"Yes, but this wasn't violent. How could a parent possibly complain?"
"It's about learning, Tom. I know you're trying to connect it to learning, but frankly it's a stretch," the principal tells me.
"Well, soldiers play games. Surgeons do simulations. It's part of their education."
"Yes, but this isn't war and this isn't a hospital. If we want students to pass the rote memorization test, we need to focus on rote memorization skills. Were you sleeping during our professional development lead by the Drill and Skill Consulting Group?"
"I was paying attention," I lie. The truth is that I was paying attention, but only to the words. I wasn't about to let Mr. Brown win another week of Buzzword Bingo.
"If you want to abandon slate-based learning, at least try the Jonestown Intervention worksheets. Or maybe fill out the packets of algorithms."
My solution: we'll create an algorithm factory and integrate it into our Conflict-Oriented Reading and Writing Project (a.k.a. The Factory Game).
Interesting writing style.
ReplyDeleteLove it, been lurking for ages, keep it up! Just wondering what your views are on the potentially contentious issue of integrating pencil sharpeners? Is this a step too far?
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Rodney Patrick and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I would first like to say this displays and excellent example of the many tactics that should be used in education, but it is usually frowned upon. In my opinion, students really have a better chance of not only learning material but actually understanding it. My professor commonly uses the phrase "burp back" in order to explain to us that it is easy to memorize and "burp back" the correct answer and it is even easier to forget. However, when we actually have a hands-on interaction with what we are trying to learn we not only memorize, but we understand the concepts and are able to use them. This post has been very insightful and I look forward to viewing more of your posts. Here is a link to our class blog EDM 310 Class Blog. Also, here is a link to my personal class blog, where I should have a summary of my visits to your blog posted by February 12,2012. Rodney Patrick's EDM 310 Class Blog
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Cedric Lett. I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. After reading your post I remember a post I read about keeping your students engaged in learning. The post compared engaging your students to entertaining your student. I believe that your post displays a great use of keeping your students engaged. Rodney Patrick spoke about the phrase "burp back" and easy way to open a students head and fill it up with every thing you know, then give them a test so they can give your knowledge back. I think its a must that we find other ways to teach. I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to reading many more. Here is a link to my class blog please feel free to visit and leave comments if you like.
ReplyDeletehttp://lettcedricedm310blogspot..com/
Check out this article about the importance of play:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/29/christakis.play.children.learning/index.html?htp=sbin
Hello Mr. Spencer,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jason Lynch and I am a student at the University of South Alabama in EDM310. I wanted to say your dialogue was interesting. I was impressed with your ability to continue to stay on track with your content learning even though your supervisor was trying to shift your classroom lesson into a supposed unsuitable practice in your school. I also, find this type of writing to be very dynamic. It enhances the content to a more interactive style of blogging. You read one line and then you want to read the next line. I really appreciate your contributions to the blogging community and look forward to your future posts.
Sincerely,
Jason Lynch
EDM310
Mr. Spencer, I have been reading a lot of your posts lately and find them all very interesting. Your supervisor doesn't seem to be on your side and isn't really focusing on the more important things about teaching. Yes, test scores are important but our main goal as educators can not be to force material into a child's head just so they can pass a test. We, as teachers, need to allow our students to think for themselves and learn in a way that they can use their knowledge even outside of the classroom. I enjoyed your post and I like how you are not a burp back teacher. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn Latini