If we are to change our pedagogical DNA (see Pedagogical LINO), what instructional planning steps are necessary for educators to become co-constructors of knowledge with their students? Describe how a reciprocal learning environment looks in a classroom.
The knowledge age has shaped the new generations of learnings. More testing and more resources
ReplyDeleteare not the single solution. Innovation and diversity is critical to drive this change. Students should be able to predict information about topics, ask questions, discover new ideas, identify and clarify confusing topics and summarize. A reciprocal learning environment in the classroom is exemplified by encouraging students to hypothesize ideas, teach the concept, have the students apply the concept to a real world application, and combine concepts to create new ideas. Teachers should facilitate students combining concepts to be applied to create new ideas. Example would be jigsaw reading of selected
text, recipes, and word problems.
Sherry Kevwitch, Jennifer Flynt, Jennifer Swain and Melia Cardwell
It is encouraging to see a dialog at the State Level that seems to be putting less emphasis on standardized testing and more emphasis on the process of learning in the classroom. Facts are still necessary as building blocks of concepts, but teaching students to become better problem solvers should be one of the main goals of a reciprocal learning environment.
ReplyDeleteVicky Wall
We thought that the Common Craft Video that was commissioned by the Buck Institute demonstrated the process and benefits of an Inquiry Based approach to teaching. If you haven't seen it before, we encourage you to take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8
ReplyDeleteJohn Butler's EV project teaches many of the skills that our employers today are looking for from their workers (problem solving, persistence, collaborating and working successfully in a group to achieve a goal, pride in their work-product).
Barbara McMillan, Brittany Butler, John Butler
We are glad to see the common core curriculum coming to North Carolina so that we may have students with basic knowledge so that we can teach them how to problem solve and hypothesize. Our EOC generation has been taught that there is a right/wrong answer and they have a fear of giving their opinion about a topic. Therefore we need to use more project based learning and 21st century skills in order for them to learn that there is more than one correct answer and more to learn than just a fact!
ReplyDeletePerry, Mize, Everhart
We are encouraged to see more focus on classroom instruction and creative ways to assess student learning verses the use of paper and pencil tests and standardized tests. Through the use of technology, teachers will be able to provide students with more immediate feedback. Also,students can provide feedback to each other by working collaboratively or completing group projects.(Blogs, Wikis, Discussion boards)Reciprocal learning environments are less focused on the teacher and involve more student centered interaction in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteSparks and Adams
ReplyDeleteThere will be a combination of student presentation, teacher presentation and various uses of technology through teacher and student evaluation.
In an arts classroom reciprocal learning takes the form of students recreating performances in the style in which it was intended. Be it through appropriate medium or in appropriate style.
ReplyDeleteQuarles, Pratt, Cox, Nickens, Carlisle.
For us to change our pedagogical DNA we will have to become aware of all of the different avenues of technology. The students will get bored if we stick with one way of teaching, one website, or one thing that we as teachers are comfortable with using. We will have to step out of our comfort zone to keep up with our students.
ReplyDeleteknight, erskine, riggsbee, kallam
We believe that the hardest thing to overcome when constructing a reciprocal learning environment between teachers and students is comfort level. The teacher must become comfortable with not knowing the answer to student questions and be willing to admit it and help the student so that together they can discover the correct answer. Utilizing new techniques and technology is essential to maintain student interest and relativity to students lives. However, no one teacher can keep up with the ever changing technological landscape.
ReplyDeleteWe feel that the perfect learning environment is a classroom that has access to a variety of tools that can be used to demonstrate, catalog, and research current topical events to a class.
Wheatley, Adams, M. Casto, and D. Sedlock
With the current generation of learners, teachers must be willing to learn from students and adapt to the technological environment in which we are living. It is the teacher's responsibility to create a interesting learning environment with hands-on activities, research based, and project based learning. Unless the teachers are willing to conform, students will be less willing to be active learners.
ReplyDeleteJ. Manuel
In order for teachers to become co-constructors of knowledge, the way we work with students will have to include some creative approaches combined with those we proven to work. We’ll need to allow students to question topics, hypothesize conclusions, look for results and share with each other. We will have to be the leader, pointing them in the appropriate direction, encouraging them, and providing relevant examples. In the videos we watched in Module 1, class size seemed to conducive to group learning than does our current situation. It is easier to direct 2 or 3 groups of 5 than it is to manage 6 or 7 groups of 5 (or more). It will be a challenge to engage the students and to make them responsible for their own learning, yet that is exactly what must happen if they are to really apply any of the knowledge we want them to learn. Formative assessment must be going on constantly in the classroom in order for the teacher to direct the class appropriately. Students will have to adjust to the “now we want you think – not just choose the right answer choice” policy that we need to adopt. We agree that the standardized testing in this state has all but eliminated our students’ ability to thinking, and draw conclusions based on fact. There is a place for testing, but everything does come in a multiple choice format.
ReplyDeleteBeth Poplin, Al Bowen, Noble Marshall, Kristy Spencer, and Gayle Chaney
Technology has created "instant" information at our fingertips. With this wealth of knowledge are our students simply "cutting and pasting" or are they actually interpreting this information and using it? As teachers we have been teaching to the test and our students have regurgitated the information back to us. Many students are uncomfortable answering or giving an opinion in class for fear of giving the wrong answer. To encourage students to not only remember and understand the given information, but actually take this information...apply it to the problem, analyze the outcome will create confident retained knowledge. When a student can evaluate the final project or problem they will build their resource base. When a student develops these problem solving skills they will carry them forward to their jobs, higher education and careers. As young people they will feel confident in their abilities to think outside the "box" and develop the 21st century skills they will need to compete. In our learning there should still be a balance between technology, different learning mediums and people skills. As teachers we must become leaders, observers, promoters and most of challengers. Our greatest task should be to develop the ability to think and adapt their knowledge to solving the problem.
ReplyDeleteIn order to change our pedagogical DNA, our instructional planning also will need to change. As educators, we need to focus more on student led rather than teacher fed instruction. We also will need to ensure that we are providing ample opportunities for students of all levels to be successful in the change in instruction. This reciprocal environment will be one that is open, collaborative, and more relaxed with the teacher assisting rather than leading instruction.
ReplyDeleteR. Williams, S. Messer, E. Carlson, C. Golden, B. Ewing, D. Sedlock, and P. Caple
Working with a group of coaches, we talked about how we can change our pedagogical DNA not only in the classroom but also in our work with students outside of the regular school day. We are all teachers all day, every day, not only in the classroom, but also in the lives of students. As coaches, we can also move outside of our comfort level and allow student input into their strategies. Again, even outside of the regular school day, it is okay for us to change our "teaching" practices to allow for student growth. Tried and true may work just fine, but there are limitless options when we allow our students to help us shape our way of thinking and become teammates rather than a teacher/student.
ReplyDeleteM. Casto, B. Bailey, R. Webster, P. Sedlock
In a reciprocal classroom there would not be a lot of lecturing. There would be discussion between the students and the teachers. It is different from the traditional classroom that many of us grew up in. The information does not flow in just one direction in the reciprocal classroom. The teacher doesn't just give knowledge, they show the students how to find it on their own. Students will learn how to evaluate the information they find and think critically about it.
ReplyDeleteMs. Norton & Ms. Tolley
In a reciprocal classroom students and teachers are learning together in collaborative environment. Students are self-motivated, engaged, and responsible for their own learning. The teacher's role is mainly a facilitator. Differentiation is evident in the different roles the students play in the environment.
ReplyDeleteWe think it will take much more reinforced structure and routine. Rubrics will have to be used to focus students for engagement. We
have to figure out how to place the responsibility on their shoulders.Honestly, that's kind of a scary thought. We like to be the ones in control, and while this isn't giving up control, it does feel like it.
The focus of our job will be to set up the stage instead of leading the performance.
Cassidy Willet, Karen Hopkins, Mischa Miles, Beth Graham, Paula Bowlin, Faye Staten
It's exciting to see that students have so many resources at their fingertips. At the same time it will require teachers to shift from information providers to managers. In order to best prepare our students for a job market that doesn't exist at the moment, we need to allow them the chance to collaborate, explore, and research so they become better problem solvers. This will force us to let go of some of the control and break habits that some of us have held fast to for years. Moving forward, we must keep in mind what is in the best interest of the students. It is an exciting time to be a member of the education team.
ReplyDeleteAllowing students time to collaborate, explore and research will only be successful if students really do those things. My advanced math students would do them, but I am not so sure that my Algebra 1 students would even attempt any of these things. They often display an attitude of apathy and this attitude is difficult to overcome.
ReplyDeleteThe emphasis on standardized testing effectively destroyed the students’ ability to reason, explore and create. This "new" approach to learning with continuous formative assessment will allow the teacher to constantly evaluate student progress and adjust instructional approach as needed. The common core should allow our students to gain confidence in their ability to think creatively and work through tasks together.
ReplyDelete~Jo Dykes, Amanda Tolbert, Randal Galloway
If we are to change our pedagogical DNA, teachers are going to have to give up some control in the classroom. We must change our classroom from a teacher-centered learning environment to a student-centered learning environment. Teachers will become facilitators of learning through project-based learning activities as opposed to feeding students instruction through notes and lecture.
ReplyDeleteThis transition is going to take time, and a good deal of professional development, but the change is necessary to develop 21st century learners. With the addition of laptops for students, many of these doors will be opened for teachers create a reciprocal learning environment where the learning is shared between teacher and student.
Good luck!
Jon and Frank - "The Civics Guys"
A reciprocal learning in environment is where the responsibility for learning is transferred to the learner. The teacher guides and helps facilitate, the students search for answers. The student's must take a more active part in learning.
ReplyDeleteM. Hill
Changing pedagogy is a work in progress and is going to be a challenge for everyone. It is about getting out of our comfort zones and trying new things. We have to create activities where students have a chance to go out and gather information and get away from the old drill and kill method. Students also have to be more actively engaged when they are being assessed for our school to obtain the highest level of success.
ReplyDelete