McCain's pensive thoughts
Author: Ted McCain
#1 We must resist the temptation to "tell"
To often we as teachers tell students everything they need to know, thus squashing curiosity that drive a person to intrinsically learn.
#2 We must stop teaching decontextualized content.
Change is difficult to accept, but doing a lesson the same way day in and day out can get boring for students, changing up how the information is presented can be fun and challengine for the students...create a learning game.
Natural and sustainable learning everyday!
#3 We must stop giving students the final product of our thinking.
Teachers must learn how to foster creativity in students presenting what they know about a subject's learning targets.
#4 We must make a fundamental shift—problems first, teaching second.
Inquiry-based learning is powerful for students to seek and discover the answers to questions and problems..things a teacher could lecture about, but discovering them on their own is more meaningful.
#5 We must progressively withdraw from helping students.
Show students how to help themselves....a good teacher makes themselves progressively unnecessary.
Discover your potential!!!
#6 We must reevaluate evaluation.
Teachers must know what they want students to know and how the student knows that knowledge. Having the end learning target in mind is crucial to tailoring an interactive lessona an assessment.
Walter J. Taylor
Email: wtaylor@plymouth.k12.wi.us
Website: www.phsagzone.org
Location: Plymouth Comprehensive High School, Plymouth, WI
Phone: 920.693.6911