After reading "Connecting the Lonely Profession" by Suzie Boss I have come to two conclusions, that our schools are in need of reform & the resources to make it happen are more available then I ever thought possible. She suggests that in a Web 2.0 environment there is no reason why teachers should not be connecting and sharing ideas. One third of teachers leave the profession in the first three years due to isolation. While we may not be able to change the dynamic in the school, the resources online provide that companionship that the school may not provide. Teachers all over the world are blogging and sharing ideas, we need more teachers to get on board, specifically content teachers. Teachers can connect with others not only throughout the country, but throughout the world! Students will be challenged but the article says that after the project had been finished the students could go to college and be able to hold their own.
I have to say that I love the ideas expressed in this article. I do not see a reason why so many teachers who have all summer off can not join up with a collaboration of teachers to plan at the very least one global project a year. I understand that the kids behavior and intellectual strength have to go into play but their is literally no reason why this shouldn't be implemented. I love her point on how schools can be changed overnight. All we hear now is how education needs to be reformed, curricula need to be changed, yet the answer for engaging lesson plans & projects have been online this whole time. If teachers could stop being so protective of their content and share it with the world, the benefits it would give our students can not be exaggerated.
I think it is a great idea if teachers are willing to take the time during their summer to collaborate and use each other as resources to enhance their curriculum. I agree that the hardest part is just getting teachers to be willing to work together, to give their time, and to share their ideas. I feel that some teachers feel that they need to be in control all the time, but it isn't a competition as to who is the best teacher or who has the best material. Sharing ideas and material will benefit all teachers involved.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we have to get more teachers on board. We have so many tools and resources out there available for us however we are not utilizing them properly and I feel this might have to do with the lack of knowledge. I know before coming into this class I wasn't aware of half the resources Professor Maurer showed us. As new teachers it is important we not only educate our students and inform them of different educational ways to go about using the Web 2.0 environment, but also inform other teachers, including parents, of the available resources for communication and information out there. And I 1000000% agree that if teacher's weren't so over protective of their content it would be a different and more beneficial learning/teaching environment.
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