If you’ve ever worked as a teacher in a high school, you’ve probably had to play “the game” with your students. You become acutely aware of how awkward “the game” is when you start talking about school events with adult friends of yours who do not work in education. Here’s how such an exchange between… Continue reading Why schools play “the game” with students
Tag: schools
Teach kids computer skills, not computer programs
Frequently, in online discussions of the putting of Linux and/or open source in schools, the idea of preparing children for the Windows-dominated workplace comes up. The idea is that most workplaces use Windows and Microsoft Office and will sometimes even require proficiency in certain Windows applications, so how would putting Linux and open source software… Continue reading Teach kids computer skills, not computer programs
The Tracking Problem
Usually when it comes to educational issues… or any issue, really, I have strong opinions, but tracking in schools is an issue I have mixed feelings about. I’ve worked in five different high schools, and have seen tracked curriculum and untracked curriculum in action in various subjects, and I have to say it’s hard to… Continue reading The Tracking Problem
Myths About What Schools Need
Time=learning. So, more time=more learning. Good schools have good teachers. So, better teachers=better schools. Testing discourages social promotion Tracking solves most classroom learning problems Lack of tracking solves most classroom learning problems Individual teachers create educational revolution (think Dangerous Minds and Stand and Deliver) Students do not care about education What schools actually need Student-teachers… Continue reading Myths About What Schools Need