I agree with you 100% Dennis and welcome the idea ...

2009-12-07T04:37:07.315+05:30

I agree with you 100% Dennis and welcome the idea of articulating the focus of education on learning as a school wide philosophy.

As you know, this week our faculty at ISB watched Martin Skelton from Fieldwork Education explain the concepts of Looking for Learning within schools. The need for articulation is clear and after just a few months, I have begun to challenge myself as a teacher and as a life-long learner. I always thought my lessons were learning focused, but now I find myself questioning the reasons behind my lesson plans and articulating the learning in more meanigful ways to my students.

The ISB21 standards reinforce the value of that articulation in a way that is accessible to all educators.

http://www.teachingtimes.com/articles/aiming-for-learning-focused.htm

Okay, let's try this again... First, I really...

2009-12-01T22:06:57.303+05:30

Okay, let's try this again...

First, I really like that video. Was on my blog sidebar for ages. Love it.

And your passion for teaching is ultimately a passion for learning. You want students to "feel" that passion too, so how you teach ensures that students learn.

As for ISTE and AASL, no doubt, there is an element of these organizations trying to add legitimacy to their work with important standards for learning, but this learning is not being articulated by other "content" areas, so if we value it, shouldn't it be explicit?

In the same way, we expect that Math organizations like the NCTM pump out updated thinking on what math learning is valuable, it is important the organizations concerned with technology and information are reminding educators what learning might be important in their area. The question then is whether this "wheel" really exists already.

Are teachers already doing this? Is this already valued learning in schools? If it is, it needs to be articulated - in a less jargon-y way, for sure - so that it's clear that it has to happen...it has to be how we do "learning."

It's not unlike your point about "teaching" vs "learning". To many these aren't that different (mere semantics), but can we say that this is true for all teachers, all classrooms? By focusing conversations on learning, we ensure that the "talk" forces change in the "walk" for those who might otherwise claim, "hey I taught it...they just didn't learn it."

Like that, you value understanding truth, collaboration, and communication. So to you, it's a no-brainer. But is that everyone? Without it articulated at schools, do teachers know they have to do it?

I know you are right on board with all of this. My comment is more about the thinking that goes into articulating curriculum like this. Our ISB21 standards are an attempt to eliminate the jargon and make this valuable learning accessible to teacher and students.

Comments on teachwatts: Jargon Overload?

I agree with you 100% Dennis and welcome the idea ...

Okay, let's try this again... First, I really...