So often we hear “Grades are wrong” and the list of why they are wrong can go on for days. I can sum up the number one reason grades instead of the alternatives are wrong:

The need for “make up” work and doing worksheets and other activities that do not increase learning become the norm. The busy work is assigned so kids can make the grade. A grade is not what it should be, a worksheet is done as make up, problem.  In the mean time learning that is happening in the classroom, or lack of, is replaced by this. Kids move through school expecting this to happen every time a grade is below normal and never learning the skills that should be taught. Thus problem solving, group collaboration skills, and the alike are no longer important because “making the grade” has a higher ranking in the culture. Grades become more important than learning and work becomes the goal, that is sad.

And now I step down from my soap box.

 

Thank you. This is my 101st post, shocking I have stuck with anything that long, but I have. (I know people like George Couros post that many in a week, LOL, but this is big for me.) It always surprises me that people even read my blog, seriously, but the big surprise is that people read it then actually come back again. I am very thankful. That support is what keeps me going, really keeps me teaching during the numerous times I want to quit. This blog started as a place for me to reflect, put thoughts together, and a place to store ideas, I hope I have not moved far from that. I look back as see that because I take the time to reflect on what I am doing, I grow as a teacher.

This year I was nominated for an #Eddies11, or Edublog Award, for “Best Teacher Blog.” I was completely surprised when I saw the blog name on the list. But it caused me to have mixed feelings. I then came across Josh Stumpenhorst’s post “Complaining and Campaigning.” It summed it up so well. Those nominated will now start campaigning and those who weren’t will start complaining. Yeah well that probably will happen. I have seen many campaigns, I know my chances of “winning” are slim since I will not be campaigning for votes and there are 50 other nominees (some being the popular folks). I am OK with that, I am just glad to be on that list. Last year I was bummed, but it came a at time where “failure” was kicking my butt, this year I don’t think I will be bummed at all.

I did post once that I was nominated on twitter and Facebook but that will probably be the last time I do that, but that does not mean I am not honored to be nominated. Like I have said before it amazes me that people actually stop here and read, so the idea that someone not only keeps coming back but took the time to nominate me is really more than I can imagine, thank you.

The Edublog Awards are important to me because of one reason: every year I find a blog or two that was nominated that I have never read before. Those blogs usually go into my reader and become a huge part of my life. This year there were a lot I have never heard of, though there were the regulars, I enjoyed looking through the ones that were new to me. Please do this, take the time to find a blog that is new to you, that will make you think or encourage you, and add it to your reader. The top purpose of educational blogs is pretty simple, to grow as educators. Those writing them are growing, so read them and do the same.

Lately I have had 3 or 4 different conversations with different people about teachers using technology. The conversations were either about the teachers barely using it or about teachers using it not the kids. I am one that will complain about this same issue. But after I did that I starting think there is much more than teachers are just not using not using technology.

Let’s look at it this way, if someone handed me a rugby ball, first thing I would do is look for the laces before I throw it. There are no laces so would probably toss it up in a spiral and catch it. After a few minutes I would get bored with it and move on to something else. Now if that person that handed me the ball said, ok now you have a ball come join our rugby team I would probably hand it back and walk away. If I was taught how to throw the ball, I may be more adventurous, and think, ok this looks like a football, I know how to play that and now know how to use the ball and jump in the game. I did that, I would not play the game correctly and do the team no good.

Now what if I was handed a rugby ball and once a week someone came help me throw the ball, tackle someone (well do that huddle thing they do), how to score, after a few months I would know what I was doing and could probably be somewhat successful. (OK not really, those that do not know me, I am a 5’2″ chick that is more cheerleader than ball player.)

We so often hand teachers projectors and computers, they have used them before, they use them all the time to Facebook, they will be successful, right? Isn’t that just like handing a football fan a rugby ball and assuming they know what to do it with? They know how to throw a football right? Using a computer for Facebook and email is a lot different than using it to teach kids!

How about giving them a IWB and a short class on how to turn it on, use the basic settings, and use the software make the slides. Or any technology device, often we give it to the teacher, show them the basics and assume the rest will come. That is the same as not only giving someone the rugby ball but teaching them how to throw it. Sure they can throw it to someone but they have no concept of how to play the game. Think of all the training that goes into teaching strategies or teaching content, a lot, and a technology (how scary it can be to so many) does not always have that training.

If teachers are given technology they not only need to be told how to use it they need to be coached and know how to use properly. There is a HUGE difference between technology use and technology integration. Technology use is just using technology in the classroom, it doesn’t change the way students learn, doesn’t change pedagogy, and it usually is just used by the teacher. It is like knowing how to throw the rugby ball but not knowing how to play the game. When technology is integrated into the classroom it is not only seamless, it is used by teacher and student. It is also used for more than projecting a PowerPoint, but to increase everyday learning and inquiry.

We need to make sure we do not just throw teachers a ball and expect them to win championships.