Our mission for our 21st century chat is to create a positive 21st century learning environment for our students by sharing resources and ideas that has worked in our classrooms. Join us every Sunday from 8:00-9:00 PM (EST) on Twitter using the hashtag #21stedchat. All are welcome!
Welcome to #21stedchat tonight we will discussing how do we cope with all the bureaucracy and other forces outside the classroom that may or not affect inside the classroom. Please introduce yourselves.
A1 Right now, I am trying to go gradeless + getting admin pushback because of district expectations. I want to ss to learn + not be so grade focused. #21stedchat
A1: State requirements on SS topics that are unrelated to standards-Constitution day, CBAs-affect learning time. Local reqs limiting number of portables allowed means we are overcrowded too #21stedchat
I am for an attendance rule. If you do a lot of group work, students not being there affects the group progress. Same as thenwork world philosophy #21stEdChat
This would be crazy for the teacher to keep track of where each student is. What about the students that just use it for "time off". This seems like a huge logistical problem. For teachers, districts, and state. #21stedchat
I wish I could do this too but admin, district and school, have mandated exactly how everything is to be graded. Could you grade fully on completion/effort to make up the gap? #21stedchat
I have been using grade platform (PowerSchool) to show learning progress. Have been told it is not enough. SS are keeping a portfolio of work along w/ reflections. Working well despite the push back. #21stedchat
Multiple districts across the state are doing it. If they test out out the subject such as algebra I, they move on to algebra 2. There is not work on the teacher. #21stedchat
I think learning can happen in different ways. Some kids dome to us with more skills, more independent. They could learn outside of school too #21stEdChat
I think it depends on content and grade level. Mastery of skills like communication and collab. requires seat time. But micromanaging attendance for students who are 18 and about to be full adults seems like a poor way to prep for the "real world." #21stedchat
Being in the school ready tonlearnis half of the process. It take a little effort to do and that is what we need to do dig deeper activities #21stEdChat
A2 Personally, I'd like to see more efforts towards local consistency in ed materials to support those producing them (beyond the usual publishers). #21stedchat
A2: Actually another question. How do we do that without making admin the enemies? I've experienced retaliation before for proposing change. Agree w/ @ZSharon too much comes down to personalities #21stedchat
I think it is easier but I helped change policy here and that is how we did it. It took time, year verse months in a small district I imagine. #21stedchat
A2 I have no answer, Charlotte is such a large district. Change is slow and with so much change of leadership at top levels not sure it will happen. Just my perspective from the trenches. #21stedchat
I agree district level change is important but actually for individual teachers I think more change is possible at the building level. It's all about relationships. #21stedchat
As a teacher you need to pay attention to the policitcal landscape and make relationships with people who can make changes. Help them as often they need the teachers voices to make change happen. #21stedchat
A3 Sometimes I wonder if teachers are talking to the right people. Yes, admin can be challenging, but parents and contractors may also want to listen. #21stedchat
I think that comes down to making relationships with them too. Have to be careful they don't go back to admin or make admin feel like you are going around them. #21stedchat
A4 They aren't allowed to be intractable! I pray to the gods admins or school boards avoid turning into anything resembling the current political climate. :) #21stedchat
But it always helps these conversations to assume positive intent and remind everyone that our combined purpose is what helps kids the most. #21stedtech#21stedchat
But it always helps these conversations to assume positive intent and remind everyone that our combined purpose is what helps kids the most. #21stedtech#21stedchat
A5 There are big gaps of understanding of process between teachers, school boards, admin and ed publishers. And also, you ask hard questions ;) #21stedchat
Thank you for joining us tonight. Join us in two weeks, Nov 4th, for #21stedchat Sunday 8:00PM EST as @dprindle and I discuss the topic of Micro-credentialing
A5: 1) Everyone starts in dif. places. 2) Too much of policy comes down to a few strong personalities and not a lasting institution. 3) Compromise and hard discussions are essential for the future or our profession. #21stedchat
