Deborah,
your inspirations arrive in much the same fashion as mine do...
out of the blue, in a moment of trying to solve two or more problems at the
same time...
k-e-w-l. . . 8-)
* * *
in thinking through the processes, it appears that most people would agree
in theory that substituting good fats for bad fats is a good thing, and
that substituting good carbs for bad carbs is a good thing, even though
they may not immediately perform the switch - or they may come to it
gradually as their health fails or they encounter problems ... the problem
with changing a teacher's approach to teaching is convincing them the
change will do any good ... especially if they've been at it a while -
they'll consider what recent studies have proven as a fad they have seen
before, tried, and concluded "that it doesn't work here" ...
now the good argument to this defense over substituting is ... if it does
not work, it is easy to replace the good with the bad ... it isn't a matter
of shuffling around "more tasks" ... it's simply a matter of
re-substituting the old for the new ... and in that case, you'll get a few
to try it your way only to half-heartedly work at it to "let it fail," just
so they can "I told you so" ...
if there is a method to convince them it is for the better, you may get
some support for the changes ... getting individuals to agree to change
while giving them some ownership in the change is one of the most
challenging aspects of leadership in any organization - and doubly
challenging in education since everyone is the "subject matter expert" in
their own field ... so if you indicate that something works better for
students in the library, teachers will want you to do it in the library and
don't bother them in their classroom environments... if you attempt to
convince them that your concept will help in the classroom as well, it's
only your word and concept against their years of experience.
The bad news is - you'll never get universal acceptance;
the good news is - you'll never get universal rejection either.
Some will always want to give it a try and suport you in it while others
will never accept it no matter how successful it is in "other classes," it
just won't work in theirs...
Good luck with it...
I really hate being a wet blanket for this sort of concept,
but if you can overcome the ownership obstacle and reluctance to change -
let me know...
sounds like real fun...
Later... Earl J.
At 06:12 PM 2/1/2004, our contemplating colleague wrote:
>Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2004 12:14:40 -0500
>From: Deborah Stafford <Deborah_Stafford@COMPUSERVE.COM>
>Subject: GEN:Metaphor - what do you think?
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>Yesterday (Saturday) I attended and presented at a locally produced
>conference. One of the themes of the conference was integrating technology
>into the curriculum. While the attendees were enthusiastic for the most
>part, I once again heard the comment that "Teachers have too much on their
>plate already". Today (Sunday) while walking my dog and thinking about how
>I need to get my diet under control again the two thoughts collided.
>Instead of adding to our plate, it has been recommended that we
>"substitute" items on our plate to incorporate the new recommendationsout
>the cheap carbs and substitute complex carbs. Cut down on the soda and
>drink a cup of green tea. Substitute some TV time for some exercise. The
>result will be a healthier you.
> * * * snip* * *
>In education take some of the items off our plate and in their place add
>collaboration, problem solving, authentic assessment. Eliminate some of the
>old activities that might be your favorites and add activities that will
>result in high level learning.
>If this metaphor looks helpful to you in working with teachers please feel
>free to use. However, I would ask that you credit me if deciding to write
>this up for a publication.
>Deborah J. Stafford
>Gen. H.H. Arnold High School
>Wiesbaden Germany
Aloha y'all ... Earl J.
US Army Special Operations Command
History Directorate
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
"Just an old Maui boy with a poor sense of direction...
working his way home - one state at a time -
currently working in the State of Confusion!"
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