Assignment #1 -- Should it be done?
Assignment #1 -- Should it be done?
•Who would read/use my material?
My project is “50 Ways to Reflectively Reenergize your Teaching”. It’s for teachers who need a boost or some energy in their teaching practice. Teachers who want simple ideas and don’t want to read an entire book on reflection or mindfulness or some other similar topic. Teachers who don’t have a huge book budget but would like something that’s useful and inspiring.
•Why? What would they gain from it?
They would get ideas to energize and give their teaching a boost. Teaching is a profession which can be draining. There’s always more that a teacher can do for their students and to improve their classes. This book would help teachers take care of themselves and reenergize their teaching by reconnecting to their “why” of teaching. It’s based on reflective attitudes that were identified by John Dewey and Carol Rodgers.
•What are they currently using or reading instead?
This is a hard question. I’m not sure. Maybe ideas from blog posts or professional development events (like conferences).
•Why do I think my material (or idea) is good?
Each idea will be described succinctly and clearly and be easy to do. They will be activities or ideas that the reader can do in a short amount of time. It will help teachers connect to their purpose or reason for teaching. It actually gives teachers permission to do something for themselves instead of always thinking about lesson plans and activities. And, surprise surprise, taking care of themselves will help them be better teachers for their students. It really is all about student learning.
•Who would read/use my material?
My project is “50 Ways to Reflectively Reenergize your Teaching”. It’s for teachers who need a boost or some energy in their teaching practice. Teachers who want simple ideas and don’t want to read an entire book on reflection or mindfulness or some other similar topic. Teachers who don’t have a huge book budget but would like something that’s useful and inspiring.
•Why? What would they gain from it?
They would get ideas to energize and give their teaching a boost. Teaching is a profession which can be draining. There’s always more that a teacher can do for their students and to improve their classes. This book would help teachers take care of themselves and reenergize their teaching by reconnecting to their “why” of teaching. It’s based on reflective attitudes that were identified by John Dewey and Carol Rodgers.
•What are they currently using or reading instead?
This is a hard question. I’m not sure. Maybe ideas from blog posts or professional development events (like conferences).
•Why do I think my material (or idea) is good?
Each idea will be described succinctly and clearly and be easy to do. They will be activities or ideas that the reader can do in a short amount of time. It will help teachers connect to their purpose or reason for teaching. It actually gives teachers permission to do something for themselves instead of always thinking about lesson plans and activities. And, surprise surprise, taking care of themselves will help them be better teachers for their students. It really is all about student learning.
I love your comment 'surprise, surprise, taking care of themselves will help them be better teachers for their students'. This sounds like an idea I want to see in print.
ReplyDeleteWe (Wayzgoose Press) have a book that's maybe not a million miles from that, 50 Ways to Be a Better Teacher (Chris Mares). There are some tips that are similar to that. It's an interesting book to me because it's one of the very few that sell better in paperback than ebook. I have no idea why, though!
ReplyDeleteWilma Luth, the idea is great! If you publish this e-book, I will definitely read it!
ReplyDeleteI'll read your book, too. Simple short activities or ideas sounds practical and inviting to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouraging words everyone!
ReplyDeleteDorothy, I just realized that I have that book! (in ebook format). It's good to have that model alongside the 50 Ways book that we downloaded for this course.
Dear Wilma Luth, I liked your idea much and it is similar to what I am going to do. My project will be a guide for teachers to rethink about their quality during the process of teaching, i.e. their practice. I tried to clarify the concept using quality indicators which are the strategies teachers may use in class. I also suggest a rubric for self evaluation and another one for others' evaluation with 170 strategy and quality indicator. The rubrics are designed as a software that can help teachers' get evaluated quickly and know their points of weakness and stength. It can also be given to students to give them feedback and make them reflect on their practice.
ReplyDelete