This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
My name is Dawn. I have currently been working as a Special Ed Para and love what I do, but I am going back to school to get my degree in Early Childhood Education at OU. Looking for to tonight's discussion!#OklaEd
A1: bc alternative seating feels costly at first glance! + how will I take attendance? Or have a seating chart? And won't my management skills go away with my desk rows?!! #oklaed
A1 I use too much student collaboration to work with evenly spaced desks in rows....made my head hurt! Iāve had round tables in my room for ages. #oklaed
A1: I do have it this way when we're taking notes. But most of the time the desks are in circles so we're a community of thinkers who can respond to each other - the person in front of each S is not always me! #oklaed
Q1: I don't use rows in my class anymore because it's difficult to interact with the backs of other students' heads - let's get them talking like citizens should! #oklaed
Deborah joining from Tulsa as I plan for tomorrow's effort to take a step toward compensating our teachers more adequately. It is far from perfect but so incredibly necessary. #oklaed
A1 -- the last 10 years of my career I was in a room designed for 24 of us...and usually had over 30. I crammed in as many desks as I could...and lots of pillows. Literally had kids stretched out on the floor UNDER desks. #oklaed
A1) I think seating in classrooms should be dependent on the lesson being taught rather than a static fixture in the room. Furniture is not always nailed to the floor so don't be afraid to move it as needed to effectively teach students. #oklaed
A1 - Because my classroom is student centered and not Mr. Gragg centered. Maybe I should be more like the totalitarian leaders we are studying this week and move back to rows...lol #oklaed
A1 Linear thinking works for some, linear seating does too, but what about circular thinking/seating. Some of us like to sit in a way that drives those with OCD over the edge. #oklaed
A1) What makes rows awesome? I have table and chairs, and I love the way students can collaborate. Too, many of them have a hard time fitting in desks. #oklaed
Q1 I find there are times (lecture days, days I just need individual work/focus for Ss) when rows work best in my room, but it always feels like it's a failure that has to be as short as possible. #OklaEd
A1.
Petty me (PM): because it's how every teacher movie is
Real me (RM): because that's how we all remembered what class looked like growing up.
#oklaed
A1: Most of my classes in high school were made up of desks in rows. However, I think that occasionally having the desks in clumps might promote collaboration and discussion amongst the students. #oklaed
A1b: That does remind me, though, I have a donors choose project looking to get alternative seating... #oklaedhttps://t.co/u3wgDRFFGF Please excuse my shameless plug...
A1) I feel like I can engage differently when the Ss are in different positions. Sometimes it is lines , some times it is ameoba shapes. Helps my bands get a different listening perspective as well. #oklaed
A1 I agree with @jlreed2011 in that the seating arrangement should be dynamic and driven by the activity. My classroom is currently set up in pairs of desks to foster collaboration. #oklaed
A1: Like most things in education, there is a time and place where Ss in rows might be best. Large class sizes makes flexible seating difficult for many #oklaed Ts. It is good for standardized testing w/ standardized students.
A1: I think teachers do the best they can with seating arrangements. We try several different ways, then stick with what works. We should be open to trying new things, and not stuck in any set way. #oklaed
Guess, my ADHD came out as a T. I moved my seats based on what we were doing in the classroom. Seldom did we have rows, but sometimes they are okay too #oklaed
#Oklaed A1: Aside: Questions hard to read. With small group work, with good driving questions, with student-centered classrooms, question should be: Why should the rows ever be strait??? If there bolted down, make first assignment making them movable!!!
No. But, I memby when Gov. Bellmon's pre-1017 bill (1c sales tax) went to the House floor and got one vote (the author's). After months of fighting, HB1017 passed w/$275 M/year for five yrs (mostly corp tax). So, there's always hope. #OklaEd
A1c: My classroom arrangement changes for the assignment we are working on: rows (or columns), clusters, a circle, it depends. But whenever it is different, students take a moment to adjust! #oklaed
One thing my students know is don't expect my seating arrangement to stay the same for long. I like to change things up and more often it depends on what I am doing in class for how my seats are arranged.#oklaed
A1) I can handle the noise of students. I can't handle the noise of desks! Or the putting them back at the end of EVERY DAY! Or mystery of what gets stuck in them. Fortunately for me, I've discovered flexible seating works better for my Ss. #OklaEd
A1 The kids I see do not sit in rows. Sometimes they sit, sometimes they stand, sometimes they bounce. We are all different learners. No cookie-cutter way.#OklaEd
A1: my class is currently in a U shape. I love this because I can come right in the middle of everyone. I do groups, then I do U shape, then groups, etc. Constantly changing it up. #oklaed
I went total flex seething last year with my littles...but several requested an assigned seat. Reminder that I need to listen to my kiddos and be flexible. #OklaEd
Doesnāt teach responsibility if that is the only thing that happens. Give the zero if there is follow up and discussion with the student. Consequences only make sense if explained and given a chance to correct #OklaEd
A1: Committing your classroom to rows is a refusal to collaborate, suggests that the person in the front of the classroom is on display, and naively believes that in 100 years no better way of ādoing schoolā has been discovered. #oklaed
A2 for a small number of kids, maybe. but why not figure out why the kiddos arenāt turning things in? you have to look for the cause not just attack the symptoms. #oklaed
A2 - Pass. I'd rather make sure they know the standards or key concepts and learning objectives (for my AP classes) being taught and asses that actual knowledge and ability than just entering grades just because. #oklaed
A2- What a hot button for some people...uhhh grades should reflect mastery IMO. It isn't actually my job to "teach responsibility" & I've never had a student thank me for failing them b/c they learned so much & changed their ways. #oklaed
A1: never rows for me... we had science tables/lab stations & rolling chairs... Can anyone say āChoo Choo!ā š IMO: seating should be unique or give options as our kids are beginning to learn so they can experience what works for them... #oklaed
A1: I'm afraid of commitment. I can't imagine committing to one seating arrangement for more than a week! Sometimes I like to even go crazy and let the talkative students sit next to each other, but in the front row, and see how it encourages classroom discussions!
#Oklaed
A1: Committing your classroom to rows is a refusal to collaborate, suggests that the person in the front of the classroom is on display, and naively believes that in 100 years no better way of ādoing schoolā has been discovered. #oklaed
A2: I'm not sure this is a bad thing (don't shoot!). There is always something I can grade - such as participation (easy points!), but my district lets that be an average, so some weeks we have lots of grades. #oklaed
A2) Grading needs to be reformed to not punish students for the learning and giving them multiple ways to show mastery of a subject or standard. Responsibility should be a character grade and not an academic grade. #oklaed
A2 One of the first things my professor at OU told me is that we can't grade everything and still have the students write enough. It's more important that they write than that we read it all. Let the Ss read each other's work. #oklaed
A2 nothing builds success like focusing on failures. Or we could build instruction to facilitate learning and construct success in the classroom. #Oklaed
A2: This is a toughie - we still gotta teach kids about deadlines, completion of tasks, and working on things they they don't want to - but a zero mathematically is tough for a kid to come back from. What does a grade measure? #oklaed
A2 for a small number of kids, maybe. but why not figure out why the kiddos arenāt turning things in? you have to look for the cause not just attack the symptoms. #oklaed
A1 -- I used seating-chart rows to create cooperative groups. All students moved 1/4 turn and made a group. Took an Intern all day to figure that out one time. In-and-out with no trouble. #oklaed
I miss my flexible seating furniture but it didn't withstand my Ss wear and tear. However, I'm not giving up! I shall do it again next year if I can get the furniture. #oklaed
A1) I can handle the noise of students. I can't handle the noise of desks! Or the putting them back at the end of EVERY DAY! Or mystery of what gets stuck in them. Fortunately for me, I've discovered flexible seating works better for my Ss. #OklaEd
A2: Isn't that why we give grades for turning in tissue boxes, parent permission forms, and not disrupting class. Also the same reason for taking points for no name papers or using the wrong ink? #oklaed
A2) i love this cow tipping thing. This is all old school. Of course grade em all and for goodness sakes give a gozillion problems for homework too! Best practice in 1918 means best practice now too! #oklaed
A2. In Leadership, the Sās have to earn 500 points to receive an A. They know what they can do and what they cannot do. There is 700 pts total. They choose and is responsible for their grade. Now for Math, I am still I guess u call it old school. #OklaEd
A2: TBH, I never thought it was a big deal to turn in two grades a week. I always tried to make them meaningful grades and, of course, lied and said everything was a grade. Nothing wrong with lying to kids, right gang? Hello? #Oklaed
A2) My school requires an AVERAGE of two grades each week, and itās easy to end up with 50-60 grades a semester. Zeroes can be debated and debated. #oklaed
Skipped the first part, meaningless assessments to meet a quota are stupid and damaging to Ss. Make assessments meaningful and they will be done #OklaEd
A2: Wow, you are really tipping some cows tonight. I grade after Ss are given a chance to master. Not equal to 2 grades a week. Learning may be missing rather than zero. Thatās just me #oklaed
Q1: I used to be crazy about seating arrangements. Now, I use flexible seating and my Kinderās come in each day and choose where they sit and who they sit by. I think giving them that choice is empowering #oklaed
A2: Do grades necessarily indicate learning? Iāve met some really sharp kids who were focused on other things.....more than capable of doing the work. Have to know their story to understand. #oklaed
A1 I have my Ss sitting in groups, which I change frequently. Or they change. S learn to collaborate and communicate with lots of different people this way. #oklaed
A2 Mercy no! I have constant interaction and responses. I pretty much know what they are learning and at what pace. I know who still doesn't understand. I can spend my time grading or spend it teaching #oklaed
A2) Grading needs to be reformed to not punish students for the learning and giving them multiple ways to show mastery of a subject or standard. Responsibility should be a character grade and not an academic grade. #oklaed
A2: Grades are such a waste of time. Grades are for the parents. Bragging rights to their friends. I haven't given a single zero this year. I'm not here to fail you. I'm here to make you excited to learn. #oklaed
A2 -- I told Ss if I assigned it, I was interested in their ideas...I wanted to know. So, if they turned it in late, I was STILL interested. I never made an assignment I didn't intend to read and reflect on. And learn about my kids. #OklaEd
A2 If you don't record 2 grades each week, you must be an ineffective T. I can't remember which subject responsibility is a standard, is that a science or social studies standard? #oklaed
A1: I used to be crazy about seating arrangements. Now, I use flexible seating and my Kinderās come in each day and choose where they sit and who they sit by. I think giving them that choice is empowering #oklaed#edchat
A2: the absolute strangest thing to me is expecting Ss to learn or grow by giving them a ā0ā - I do not feel motivated by punishment & fairly sure we are wanting Ss to be motivated to learn š¤ #oklaed
A2: The process by which we assess student performance in our classrooms is outdated and demotivates too many children. Need greater focus on engaging Ss in learning process bc its relevant and meaningful - not just to earn a grade. Drive a stake in traditional grading! #oklaed
A2: assignments just for the purpose of putting a grade in the gradebook aren't meaningful! Every thing we assign should should have a learning goal - not just for a grade. #oklaed
A2 I tie every grade to a standard...if a grade doesn't demonstrate mastery, it doesn't belong in the book. I mark missing assignments as "Missing", and communicate with Ss and Ps until all activities have been completed. #oklaed
A2: Grading needs the same treatment that discipline has received in recent years. Iāve recently been toying with the term āRestorative Gradingāā practices that give a student meaningful feedback about their journey towards mastery w/out stripping them of their humanity #oklaed
Well, the participation is pretty much did they participate during the activity. The only way it is not 100% is if the student has been warned and refuses to work. It's just a few points, but allows Ps to see why the next big assignment didn't get done. #oklaed
A2b- the grades in my grade book are the standards - students have multiple opportunities to show me they have mastered the standards. I'm doing students a disservice if they leave my class w/an A but aren't competent in my content. #oklaed
#OklaEd A2: Personally I donāt think ANY homework should be graded-only given teacher feedback. And I also think no more than 30 minutes of HW per subject per week thatās turned in for teacher feedback. NOTE: This does not preclude any student from doing any amount of HW at home.
A2.
RM: Zeros for failing to understand objectives, no. That means I didn't teach it correctly for them to understand.
So I'd reteach, reassess, etc.
Zeroes for laziness? #foreverno#oklaed
A2 Iām used to the two grades a week mandate. Anything more (most of the time) I use for gauging ss understanding. I donāt grade everything. Iām ok with participation grades. #oklaed
A2B - Grading has to contain feedback to be affected. If a student turns something in and they just receive it back with no comments and a grade for turning it in, then what was accomplished? #oklaed
True. It is why I let me students evaluate different spaces for a while and then make a decision. Also can always talk again and readjust. Love this video about that: https://t.co/T1blQpK0qZ#oklaed
A2 cont.
RM: Why aren't Ts providing formative assessments to determine whether the Ss mastered or nah?
FM: (slap) States only want standardized testing!
#oklaed
A2 not grading HW but do check assessments for understanding, then following up w Ss. They may be able to show/tell me that they learned objective. #oklaed
I absolutely understand what youāre saying but we are not about falsifying... what is that teaching them... could we look at why the kids are getting ā0ā instead of the āquick fixā #oklaed#homeworkhater#masterygradingmakessense
A3: I think even our admins across the state is pretty fed up here too. If we got the data back in a time to be useful we might have a totally different story. #oklaed
It is why I love the missing feature in IC. It does record like a zero but it really says I am just missing what they understand. IT could be because they are lazy. It could be because grams is in the hospital #oklaed
A3 yes, please letās disrupt the learning process for the entire school to focus on something that we wonāt get feedback on for months if ever and that havenāt been proved to have any real educational value. Count me in! š¤¦š»āāļø #oklaed
A2: How about focusing on a constant student project/ teacher feedback loop thatās so constant and formative that weāre addicted to the growth and not the grade. šš¾#OklaEd
A3: If you've ever been around 3rd graders right before their first high stakes test, you'll know this is not true! Tests are not the most effective way to show success and learning. Works for some, but not for all #oklaed
A3: Hey, I get it - everybody wants to make sure that their kids have larned something that year. But why does it have to be a standardized, one-size-fits-all approach? We have some pretty talented kids who show their stuff in other ways besides A-B-C-D #oklaed
A3 - My initial reaction to this - is it too late to apply to law school???
Seriously though I love teaching and am committed to teaching in Oklahoma for the next 30 years. But I don't do it because of testing. I do it to see students succeed. #oklaed
A3 For High school I would like to see growth using the ACT. In all grades we should be looking more at growth through the year and grade levels. It more important to know kids are learning not testing #oklaed
A3: High stakes testing has NOTHING to do with Admin! They hate it too!! We ALL do what our higher ups demand we do! This includes Admin. None of us like testing our babies to death. I don't like this question. #oklaed I haven't met an admin yet that liked testing.
A3) High stakes testing is only as effective as the scary threats that accompany it! "If you fail this test, you'll have an elective taken away next year and go to remediation instead." #Motivation#easybutton#oklaed
Until it is turned in or convos had, yes. But I am far more interested in Ss completing learning experiences than punishing via the gradebook. I work hard with Ss who get behind. Ss know I care more about learning than grades. #oklaed
A4) If everyone in the school is doing their job, with a student-centered focus, then tests will result in the score they receive. The focus should be on educating the whole student and not on a score of a test. #oklaed
A3: @SirKenRobinson broke it down this way (and I paraphrase): Standardized testing has become a $16 billion annual expense with zero positive results. Imagine if that $16 billion was committed to doing what we know is good for kids. The possibilities are endless. #oklaed
#OklaEd A3: Oh, I hope youāre really cow chip flipping on this one ... Standardized tests reveal only how well students memorized facts (rather than developing the skills for addressing meaningful situations and lifelong learning). Behind the barn at 4:00 if not!!!
A3. I actually donāt think all standard testing is bad. But where we have failed is 1. We change it every freaking year. 2. We use it as the only measure to judge learning. #OklaEd
A3 High Stakes Testing...is my favorite...My Favorite Thing To Hate! When we're prepping for the test in K...we're doing something wrong. Learning should be meaningful and engaging. 60 min a week of computer based test prep...I can think of better ways to engage students. #OklaEd
A3: Of course, a 60 question MC test taken once a year is the most accurate measure of student performance - much better than 175 hours of direct observation by a professional educator. #oklaed#notreally
A3: I don't think we should get rid of the tests - they do allow us to see how our Ss compare to other states. But do we need to stress Ss out over them? Nope! If the Ss have been learning what they need, the tests should reflect it - but can't if Ss are too stressed! #oklaed
More...I reflect on this. A lot. Some Ss and Ps only respond to grades as academic currency. I work hard to change this mindset. It is possible to change this mindset through relationships. #oklaed
A3 High Stakes Testing...is my favorite...My Favorite Thing To Hate! When we're prepping for the test in K...we're doing something wrong. Learning should be meaningful and engaging. 60 min a week of computer based test prep...I can think of better ways to engage students. #OklaEd
A3.
PM: It's too late. Standardized testing is too involved with political games. Every politician that has said, "teacher raises" and "take away standardized testing" automatically won the teacher vote FOR THE LAST 2 DECADES.
#oklaed
A2: A zero sends a message to a kid that weāve given up on them. We need to foster responsibility and accountability. A zero wonāt do that. #oklaed#edchat
A3: Of course, a 60 question MC test taken once a year is the most accurate measure of student performance - much better than 175 hours of direct observation by a professional educator. #oklaed#notreally
A1b: with the flex seating arrangement I had, I was able to seat many more students than with desks or tables and chairs. In fact, I could've comfortably seated 34 Ss in my classroom. #oklaed#flexseating
That is so funny! I havenāt looked at anything else for a few minutes laughing about it. Where would all those honors stickers go if we donāt have grades. #oklaed
A2: A zero sends a message to a kid that weāve given up on them. We need to foster responsibility and accountability. A zero wonāt do that. #oklaed#edchat
A3 High Stakes Testing...is my favorite...My Favorite Thing To Hate! When the focus is on the test we often fail to provide opportunities for deep learning and understanding. #OklaEd
A3: Assessment is not bad. It is the frequency and nature that is bad. I love comparing my data with colleagues. It really shows me where Ss are & their advice helps me #oklaed
A3) summative assessments must be valued by ALL stakehokders instead of minimizing. I don't know what an effective High Stakes testing looks like. #OklaEd
If #oklaed state tests are testing the state standards and we are teaching the standards the majority of our time could be considered teaching the test
A3) Or we can stop the high stakes testing, which will save us some money which in turn #Okleg would try to take from us and then focus onthe family of ACT testing. Of course we could get real and help students realize if college or a trade route is best for them. #oklaed
A4 - I only use homework with AP, and then it is reading and notes in a form of low tech flipped class. I do this so we can work with the material and actually do history more in our limited class time. #oklaed
Sure. I remind them that the tests they take are a reflection of their knowledge and the school. The better they do, the better the letter their parents get. I spend NO time in my class preparing for a test and have had high scores because I don't stress my Ss. #oklaed
A4: this is how I feel about homework... With my little kinders, they need practice and exposure but homework? They have all kinds of time ahead of them for that! #oklaed
A4 yasss because no student has family issues, bills to pay, extra curricular activities, or anything else which could take up time. I assign all work in class so I can help and Ss need not worry about it. #Oklaed
A4: Can we talk about how āAā schools send home tons of homework? Do they know that all that homework is not why their students score so well? #oklaed
I help my Ss to know homework is what you do if you are not grasping it and need extra time. They need to determine when that is. It is not something I need to grade or assign #oklaed
A-4. Excessive HW only punishes the kids who have support at home or are somehow self motivated. Kids with no support do not care about the zero they are going to get tomorrow. #OklaEd
A4: I don't want to do homework, so I try to assign it as little as possible. Kids who find they have homework for me are the ones who don't use their class time to efficiently work - which can lead to just as valuable as a lesson #oklaed
A4 - I think HS Ts believe HW prepares students for college, but the reality is the HS day is NOTHING like a college day. I want my students to enjoy HS and be involved in extracurriculars b/c most won't have that opportunity after HS. Only HW for me is occasional reading.#oklaed
A3 cont.
RM: I'm for some form of cumulative testing but I do believe we can all agree that it definitely needs fine tuning and away from Ppolitical systems.
#oklaed
A4 I have seen my share of assignments that were clearly not produced by the Ss, and many others that it is obvious the Ps let the Ss take responsibility for their own work. Personally, I am guilty of letting mine wrestle with the concept before stepping in to help. #oklaed
Testing also looks for a certain kind of student. If I remember right: compliant, systems focused or something like that. Those that challenge system less likely to do well? Idea is from Disciplined Minds https://t.co/4JQNreMpC6#oklaed
A4: I changed my policies last year when a couple Ss turned in "their" homework with someone else's handwriting (did they think I wouldn't notice!?!). Now it's all due at the end of the hour (mostly, with exceptions, okay, frequent exceptions...). #oklaed
A4) I hated homework as a child, cheated on it as adolescent, abhorred giving it as a teacher and still wonder if thereās something wrong with me because all my friends and coworkers loved it so much... #oklaed
A4 This is really a problem for some teachers. They paint themselves in a corner with grades on homework papers and often it isn't in the student's handwriting. Parents feel compelled to do this if their child doesn't understand the material. #oklaed
A4: HW must be meaningful practice of learned skills, like voluntarily shooting extra free throws after BB practice. Should be used to build student confidence, not crush it. This is one area where schools can and should improve. #oklaed
A4.
RM: I'm for #teamnohw IF (key word) objectives can all be met within the school day.
Sadly, when classes are 3 years below grade level, we've got to help speed up the process and hw does that.
#oklaed
A4 I never, ever assign homework for the purpose of making Ss work at home. Maybe if a S needs to wrap up an activity. Plus...anyone checked out the PhotoMath app lately? One click will work out any math problem out there. Kills authenticity. #oklaed
A4 HW in 1st grade should be reading. Multiple worksheets does nothing but stress kids/parents. The kiddos that need some extra practice arenāt bringing it back. #oklaed
A4 - I donāt think homework is always bad, but we also must remember that there is not always a parent home to help. I work in a title 1 school and some Pās have multiple jobs #oklaed
A4) If the work sent home does not reinforce what was learned, or review previous learning, then it should not be sent home. Anything sent home should be easily understood and done in a reasonable timeframe. #oklaed
Giving a student a zero is a cop out for the teacher. You're angry because they didn't do the assignment. but does it really matter in the long run? What matters is WHY they didn't do it. What is going on w/them? Why do they not care? Dig in #oklaed... Know your students.
A3: While I believe that multiple choice tests can help measure how much the student has understood the information, it is also important to assess higher levels of learning,like papers and projects. How does this new information impact their world? #oklaed
A4) i think what is cliche seems to be the narrative in public ed regarding homework. Learning occurs in several forums..hmwk only reinforces ur lesson & provides a snapshot on student performance #OklaEd
#OklaEd A4: Said no students except this with parents demanding homework GRADES, MORE SPECIFICALLY grades that are perfect - if this means parents (and maybe students) staying up all night to reach that goal!!!
A4 I try to avoid it but itās tough. I do try to give the kids notice if there is something coming and not have HW due the next day. My kids are stretched already with their extracurriculars....why make things worse?#oklaed
If a college grad doesnāt pass the first certification test for teaching, should they find another job?! Does that make them unworthy to teach?! No! They go study up, reflect a little, and take it again until they get it right. So why do we give 3rd grade readers 1-shot? #oklaed
Sure. And those Ss who don't fit that mold are also getting poor grades - and will still make more $$$ five years after graduation than I'll make in another 10 years here. And lots of times, they're the ones failing from boredom and then pass - by a lot! #oklaed Love it!
A4 If "homework" is meant to provide extra practice, should we not do that in a supervised environment where they can get immediate feedback or assistance? Why let the incorrect way cement in their minds overnight. It takes too long to correct it once it is locked in #oklaed
A4. Cont.
PM:
Yes, give every 4 hours of busy work. The parents will thank you for keeping them off the TV and game consoles... And you are helping parents brush up on their skills.
#oklaed
A4) I'd just like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to my dad. Every night I would leave my math homework on the dining room table w/any problems I couldn't figure out. By the morning he would have them done for me w/explanations of how he did it. Thanks, Dad! #oklaed
A4 I try not to assign homework. Rather, my objectives and assignments for the day are written on the board daily. I expect students to use their class time wisely. If they choose NOT to, THEN unfinished class work becomes HW. #oklaed
This tweet is a winner ESPECIALLY in math. Can't tell you how many times Ss come in with incorrect methods drilled in by a well-meaning parent or sibling. Makes for challenging reteaches. #oklaed
A4 If "homework" is meant to provide extra practice, should we not do that in a supervised environment where they can get immediate feedback or assistance? Why let the incorrect way cement in their minds overnight. It takes too long to correct it once it is locked in #oklaed
Q4: I stopped giving homework and started giving chances for more family time and learning at home, Ss have activity choice boards they can choose from that allow for more conversation & interaction at home #oklaed#edchat
I disagree - to a point. I think the grade level you teach matters, too. And your level of effort to help the S change the zero to a real grade. But a zero reminds both of you there is more to be done. #oklaed
A4 I try not to assign homework. Rather, my objectives and assignments for the day are written on the board daily. I expect students to use their class time wisely. If they choose NOT to, THEN unfinished class work becomes HW. #oklaed
Q4: I stopped giving homework and started giving chances for more family time and learning at home, Ss have activity choice boards they can choose from that allow for more conversation & interaction at home #oklaed#edchat
A4. Cont.
PM:
Yes, give every 4 hours of busy work. The parents will thank you for keeping them off the TV and game consoles... And you are helping parents brush up on their skills.
#oklaed
A5 just like student learning should be focused on students and should take their needs into account, so should teacher learning. I (usually) donāt want or need admin to tell me what I need to be better. #oklaed
A-5. If a teacherās students do not notice a difference after he or she attends a new PD then it would be inneffective and a waste of time and resources. #OklaEd
A4: I do so much collaborative work in class, that I tell my students the hmwk is my chance to see if THEY know what to do. But it is never more than 10 problems and even then, I have some still cheat! (even though its not graded for correctness!)#oklaed
A5) 5 days worth including Bloodborne pathogens...we must have teacher input in ALL planning especially PD. what bout portfolios for peobationary teachers?
#OklaEd
A5: Call me a good soldier, but I trust my district to discern PD to an extent - I don't know all the options available, and they have those connections. But please don't find someone who tells me to not lecture... while they lecture the whole time #walkthewalk#oklaed
Hopefully we are not sending home any āpracticeā that has not been taught in class where the T has been able to intervene with Ss that have issues #oklaed
A5 Every week, and really every day, I try to learn something new. Doesn't matter if it is work related or not. If a tree isn't growing it is dead. Same concept applies to us. #oklaed
A5: PD is most meaningful when it's something you're interested in, something you want to get better at. Just because we're teachers doesn't mean we stop being learners! #oklaed
āHomework in primary school has an effect of around zero.ā Researcher and Professor John Hattie. Same for Harris Cooper.
https://t.co/MfcljRuDLp#OklaEd
Q4: I stopped giving homework and started giving chances for more family time and learning at home, Ss have activity choice boards they can choose from that allow for more conversation & interaction at home #oklaed#edchat
A5: No thank you. My #oklaed PLN has been the best PD ever. I have a Q and they answer it. Best runner up is Edcamps. I get so insiped and have takeaways I can implement. I do NOT need another Smartboard or StudyIsland PD. Thank you, that is all.
A lie makes it halfway around the world before the truth has time to put its pants on, the saying goes. So many people involved in the Step Up Plan have the best intentions, but the folks pulling the strings havenāt been totally honest with you. 1/
A5) Best thing about ESSA is change in emphasis from one size fits all to what each teacher believes they need. It only took a hundred years of doing it the same way to figure it out. Duh... #oklaed
A5) Authentic Professional Development should be site-specific and teacher-centered. All true educational professionals know where he or she needs to improve and working together the students benefit with better learning. #oklaed
A5 One-size-fits all PD is just about as effective as one-size-fits-all instruction. Not. My best PD experiences are the ones in which I actively seek knowledge...like these chats... #oklaed
A5: Why not ask the teachers what they want to learn about? I know district has certain things that need to be covered. But T's also have things they want to learn about. #oklaed
My answers to this are too sarcastic to tweet. It was years before I knew there was PD out of district mandate. In my old district, I would beg or barter for it if I had to. Thankful to be in a district now that encourages me to learn, even when I mention carpentry. #oklaed
A5 - I feel like our district is working to make PD a model like #edcamp that works better for Tās. Blood-borne, etc are mandated by the state #oklaed
#OklaEd May I suggest any PD not chosen by teachers wanting it is wasted AND informal PD (in teacherās lounges, EdCamps, Twitter chats, ...) are really good - with informal PD helping with discovering its value being the FIRST informal PD!!!
A5 - Personally I feel that my building and district level admin in Mid-Del does a fair job with this. I also supplement it with being proactive to find my own PD too though. #oklaed#MDPurpose
A5: I think we are all doing what we've always done. Sadly. I would challenge everyone to think outside the box. Stop w/the mandatory PD and come up w/a better plan. What am I saying #okleg can't even do that. #oklaed
A5: I believe some structure is valuable to ensure PD is aligned to district goals and priorities. However, we need to treat Ts as professionals & provide greater autonomy. Also need to reduce PD mandates - Do we really still need annual training on infectious diseases? #oklaed
A5 Twitter, EdCamp...best PD! Open conversations about meaningful topics. I have Pinterest and the internet I don't need cheesy ideas, or info I can read in an article...I want true collaboration and growth! #OklaEd
A5.
Real Me:
As a part of CO for 8 years, we kept our ears to the street and eyes inside the classroom to deliver what Ts needed.
The Ojays coined that song perfectly.
"Got to give the people... Give the people what they want!"
#oklaed
A5: Hopefully educators are taking advantage of all the awesome free opportunities around them to learn and grow in their profession, personalized learning #oklaed
It is a great tool if used properly! The dead giveaway for me is when Ss bring in work that has notation that is correct but I havenāt taught yet. āHey, what does that mean :-)?ā āUhhhhh...ā LOL! #oklaed
A5A). I am a bit sorry because now teachers wonāt get to catch up on The Sporting News and The NY Times crossword puzzle like I did back in the good old days while sitting in the back of the room hiding. #oklaed
A5b: Don't get me wrong, my district provides fabulous PD and they strive to make it applicable for everyone. But I grow the most when I choose the PD and especially when it's collaboration with other teachers! #oklaed
It is. It discusses higher ed and professional work from the eyes of a physicist. It makes a lot of sense ... but I'm more cynical the older I get. #oklaed
A5 10 yrs ago I never dreamed I would be standing on an exhibition hall floor asking vendors about switches, fiber & firewalls, yet I did that several times last week at #tcea#oklaed
A5) Hello Early Childhood educator undergrad from the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Professional Development for teachers might sound like an excellent idea for fostering student's learning, but make sure teachers are part of that planning. #oklaed
A5.
Petty Me:
I had a professor share that he knew what today's students wanted because he'd been in the classroom over 30 years ago. They wanted cars & dinosaurs. He also knew what Ts wanted to learn.
-I didn't bother to ask him what-
Petty me: (gif)
#oklaed
A5: I am not only a teacher, but also the PD chair. I am ALWAYS looking for good, solid PD to share. Added challenge: we are a PK-12 school. How do I keep that wide range of levels interested in the same thing?#oklaed
A-5 B. Ok teachers will get a chance to choose their own PD and implement it in their classrooms next year as the new element of TLE is implemented fully. (Professional Learning Focus) #Oklaed
A5) Depends on your #leadership. Hopefully they are learning enough themselves to realize that traditional ways or ideas of PD arenāt always what is best. #oklaed
A6 teacher evaluations should just be a piece of the larger picture. Anyone can pull out the dog and pony show for a day...but whatās going on the other days? Do you really know? #oklaed
A5) Professional development is continuing education, growing towards a personal or district goal/ vision. That's different from technical training like blood borne pathogen procedures or gradebook policy updates. Don't confuse the two! #oklaed
Iām glad you asked! A lot of our Kindergarten standards are centered around developing language & speaking/listening skills. Students will present their experiences for the group and I believe this in itself increases rigor for my students. #oklaed#edchat
A6 - Any teacher can put on a dog and pony show for an admin eval. The true test - ask students about teachers. My students become my kids and I refuse to let them fail - there is not checkbox for that. #oklaed
A4: I feel that homework can be a useful tool to have to study for the test and to help them to understand what to take from readings and lectures. Hopefully it wonāt take up all of their time at home though! #oklaed
A5: Serious answer...I think it important that admin openly listens to and gains info from teachers for PD needs through face-to-face discussion. I also think teachers need to be understanding of or at least consider what admin needs to implement through PD. #oklaed
Iāve taught for four years and have only had one true eval. All I was told was Mariano requires 1-4 scales to be posted. That isnāt helpful Bob! #OklaEd
All this talk makes me wish there was an #oklaed PD fund that could reimburse me for PD travel. I teach in Dewey (near Kansas), so going to Tulsa is a little over an hour, OKC is about 3, and I can't justify the expense more than about once a month!
A6) seasoned/effective administrators know how often a teacher needs to be evaluated.
When #oklaleg starts adequately paying our teachers...then maybe teacher evals can becomore more robust & rigorous #OklaEd
A6 Evaluation in the minds of many is setup as a gotcha system. The admins are trying to catch you doing something wrong. Reality is they want to see the good and help you get even better. Having to check the boxes sometimes gets in the way though. #oklaed
A6 teacher evaluations should just be a piece of the larger picture. Anyone can pull out the dog and pony show for a day...but whatās going on the other days? Do you really know? #oklaed
A6) of course there is. Just give all of them a 3. You donāt have to write anything then. Just check the box. That helps kids be around average for the next gen. #oklaed
A6 I still need to get my #observeme sign up, but...I am comfortable with anyone in my room at any time...evaluative, not evaluative, whatev. Bring on the feedback. I am authentically me and do my authentic best with and for Ss bell to bell. Bring it on. #oklaed
A6) If evaluations are not improving the practice, and they are viewed as a checklist, or even as a means of catching you doing something wrong, then they are ineffective and useless. Collaborative evaluations are more effective & meaningful. #oklaed
A6: I see evaluations as a time to gain valuable feedback on areas that I can improve! Luckily @lisarcrosslin is a great evaluator and wants her teachers to succeed and grow so evaluations aren't scary #oklaed
A3: the saddest part is that for some admin this is true! It may not be their fault but those above donāt āget itā either. These admins focus on ātestprepā & scores, without concern for actual Ss mastery, creativity, or ownership. #oklaed
A-6 Again, Evals are an insult to the professional teacher. The obs and eval should be personalized just like the the education of each child. The one size fits all is the norm we cannot seem to break loose from. #OklaEd
A6.
Real Me, @thnorfar just did a chat about a way to get feedback without the fear of being evaluated.
(tosses the ball)
Telannia, what was it called again?
#oklaed
#OklaEd A6: How about T develops proposal addressing previous yearās outcomes, choosing one stretch / new goal for the year, ...; then working with A to get an agreeable plan for the year. AND then using end-of-year T report, discussed with A, become the basis of evaluation???
Yeah, I hate it when Ts are given notice about an upcoming observation! Then they have an engaging topic, look professional, and remember caffeine. Just stop in whenever and get a better picture! #oklaed
Don't give me videos to watch that I can just set somewhere, go about my business, and come back to and pass the quiz. #oklaed seriously? Give me better PD than that.
A5: District-wide PD CAN be meaningful & beneficial, but Iāve noticed the most growth in myself and our staff when we have choice and voice. Our students all have different needs, and I believe teachers do too. #OklaEd#EdChat
A6 Iāve worked in places with tons of formal and informal evaluations, and in a place with no evaluations. I like getting feedback...just not high pressure. #oklaed
A6) I feel Iām evaluated constantly because my admin collaborates with me to make sure effectiveness is happening in my classroom. I like him visiting. I appreciate his feedback. I know itās time-consuming, but done correctly, itās priceless. #oklaed
A6 cont.
Real Me: With the influx of emergency certs and new teachers, vets shouldn't expect them to go #bossmode until after 5 years.
Most of us didn't feel comfortable teaching until after the first 3 years enough to start mastering our art.
#oklaed
Amen! We have a PD day coming up and my principal asked our Tech Committee to plan and lead it. We know the teachers and sent a survey of topics they would want to see. So much more meaningful this way! #oklaed
High pressure makes for a tentative teacher and a less authentic experience. I have been fortunate to have admins from Day 1 to today who have been constructive and helpful with evals rather than creating an uncomfortable environment. #oklaed
A6 Iāve worked in places with tons of formal and informal evaluations, and in a place with no evaluations. I like getting feedback...just not high pressure. #oklaed
A7 I mean, Iām an early bird and love getting stuff done in the am...but I know A LOT of people who arenāt alert til 10 AM. Flexibility would be great.... #oklaed
A7 - My HS students would be 10000000 times more effective in the morning if school started later. Also - do they really need 7- 50min classes w/a 5 min break in-between? Can we not redesign the entire day?! #oklaed
A6 We are given no notice. My principal makes several observations during the year. There is no way I could do a dog and pony show unless I did one every class, every day. #oklaed
I believe if School started at nine everyone would stay up later and in 10 years we would have some advocating for 10. I am at work by 6:30 everyday so I like mornings #oklaed
I think weāre thinking very differently here... š¤ for me there is no option to ānot recoverā, we have to do whatever it takes, give the opportunities, acknowledge where we or the work is possibly part of the problem, build relationships w/Ss so we get the bigger picture #oklaed
A7) We should experiment with starting times. It could help families in rural communities who depend on their Ss to help with livestock so that those students arenāt running straight from the pasture to school trying to get into a learning mindset. #oklaed
A6 cont.
Petty Me: and if a head coach can get xyz million, and be afforded 3-5 years to improve recruits and turn around a program, then shouldn't principals get at least....
#nevermind#breaksthe4thwall#oklaed
A8) I would love to have a schedule at my school that mirrors a college schedule with classes for early learners all the way to evening classes. This is best for students but CBAs and other factors prevent it. #oklaed
The struggle is real! 60+ sight words, reading... and we wonder why kiddos don't retain info from year to year? Don't give our littles more than they can master. #OklaEd
In reply to
@mrterborg, @KndrgartnROX, @MaestraBarron
A7: It wouldn't matter so much that school starts so early if parents would actually make their children go to bed. #oklaed (not holding back tonight) I have 4th graders telling me they watch Youtube videos all night.
A7 sure and we can get out at 2 I got cows to feed or tipped lol no seriously we would have kids on the bus at 5:30 in the morning to make this work. #oklaed
A7: Mornings are hard people. The world shouldn't start until 11, and then it should be because we are all going to brunch. So basically, everyday should be Saturday #oklaed
