It is amazing to think about how things in school have changed in such a short time. Growing up going to a catholic school I feel I learned simple but yet the best lessons in life. We were a small class and those where the same 23 people I knew for eight years. I feel that the curriculum was great and we were pushed harder then than today's students. This is why I feel that I have such high expectations for my students. I guess sometimes to high if that is possible? Our work ethic was a lot higher than todays students. According to the slideshows it shows this is a problem today. It is one of the things that makes me the most frustrated when I'm teaching my class today. We knew how to work together better and understood the concept of teamwork. I do however have to say that something different was that technology was really non exsistant it seemed. We had computers once a week and we played typing games. E-mail and blogging and all of the other applications students use today where not even mentioned. In fact I can remember one computer class assignment was to write a letter to Congress and we used the computer to get the address to send the letter we wrote on paper. Today that seems so silly. I'm sure that students would just e-mail them. I feel that it is great that there are technology standards set today but I don't always feel that the students are learning everything they could.
The articles and slideshows were filled with great information. It is so true that th web is a mass of communication and a way for everyone to share their ideas. Everyone wants to share. I can't tell you how many stories my students want to share with me everyday! Its all about information and communication. I feel we are getting there in the classroom. For instance each person on our staff has a class wiki page. Although it was a challenge for me to learn how to use it I want to be able to use and have it be part of my classroom. That is something that we certainly didn't have growing up! I like the change and it really does come to show you that "shift happens."
Think about the power you felt in working with 20 or so other students. Now imagine how it would feel to work collaboratively with people from all over the world! Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and every other religion, culture and nationality. It's mind-boggling, but people do it every day, and so can your students.
ReplyDeleteI also went to a Catholic grade school...must've been a little before you because we didn't have any computers. I agree with your comment on work ethic. That is probably what frustrates me most as a teacher. Students just don't give 100% anymore. Sometimes I wonder if technology contributes to that by making things too easy for students. The students have so much information available to them and easier ways to go about solving math problems and writing research papers. Don't get me wrong...the top students are the ones using technology in creative ways to develop amazing presentations. But students who have limited access to computers are at a disadvantage.
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