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EDUCATORS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM. June 9, 2009 Adjusting the Sails: Teaching When the Waters are Choppy. SAILING WHEN THE WATERS ARE CHOPPY. Pessimist – Complains about the conditions. Optimist – Hopes the conditions will change. Realist – Adjusts the sails. Purpose of today’s session
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EDUCATORS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM June 9, 2009 Adjusting the Sails: Teaching When the Waters are Choppy
SAILING WHEN THE WATERS ARE CHOPPY • Pessimist – Complains about the conditions. • Optimist – Hopes the conditions will change. • Realist – Adjusts the sails. • Purpose of today’s session • Identify the conditions • Prepare to adjust the sails
ADJUST THE SAILS • A IS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY • “Test” is truly a four letter word in education! • Most educators identify with the Einstein quote: • “Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” • Myth – Parents are aware of achievement results. • Fact – Most school decisions are based on convenience.
ADJUST THE SAILS • D IS FOR DIVERSITY • Sioux Falls School District • 1996 - 97 – White = 91% Diverse = 9% • 2008 – 09 – White = 78% Diverse = 22% • Statewide numbers – Native American • 1998 12,324 9.41% • 2008 14,112 11.66%
ADJUST THE SAILS • D IS FOR DIVERSITY • Adjusting the sails • Raise the awareness ofdifferent cultures • Create national/international “neighbors” • Current events can be a cultural teaching tool
ADJUST THE SAILS • J IS FOR JOBS • The days of “career service” are quickly ending • People will have multiple careers in a lifetime • Teacher Education – Prepare graduates for a career in education (5 – 7 years) • Prepare students for multiple careers
ADJUST THE SAILS • J IS FOR JOBS • Adjusting the sails • Continue to encourage all careers for both genders • Unique child – unique talents • Recognize the passion • Feed the passion
ADJUST THE SAILS • U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS Students of today are Millennials Born between 1982 – 2003 Fairness is important to Millennials Not a fan of status quo
ADJUST THE SAILS • Millennials – Favorite things about school? • Friends • Special days/field trips • Sports • Boyfriend/girlfriend • Extracurricular • Millennials – Least favorite things about school? • Getting up early • Tests • Homework • Length of School Day • Peer pressure
ADJUST THE SAILS • U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS • Adjusting the sails • Create opportunities for student dialogue • Develop student teamwork and management skills • Give students a voice • Build media literacy skills • Fact/fiction? • Credible/reliable?
ADJUST THE SAILS • S IS FOR SKILLS • Basic Skills – Needed for any career opportunity • Singapore’s motto – “Teach Less – Learn More” • 21st Century Skills • Communication • Problem Solving • Teamwork • Application of learning
ADJUST THE SAILS • S IS FOR SKILLS • Adjusting the sails • Develop components to lessons (communication) • Allow students to have choices • Provide experiences to embed learning • Internships • Grade level/Senior Projects
ADJUST THE SAILS • T IS FOR TIME AND TECHNOLOGY • Technology • Allows teachers to personalize curriculum • Technology can be “economic equalizer” • Teacher becomes partner in learning • Time • Variable – not a measure of learning • Focus on learning not the calendar
ADJUST THE SAILS • T IS FOR TECHNOLOGY • Adjusting the sails • Take a tip from the University system • CLEP – prove knowledge prior to coursework • On-line learning – flexibility of schedules • Development of end of course exams • MS/HS – Courses meet 3 – 4 times/week
ADJUST THE SAILS • Conclusion • Three reasons why it’s great to be a teacher • Schedule – Take some time to enjoy your summer • Security – Insurance and retirement are blessings • Significance – You are shaping the lives of your students