In a Remote Access entry:

http://remoteaccess.typepad.com/remote_access/2008/04/a-new-state-for.html

I wasn’t aware Canada had become a US state!  Too funny!

Response to Mmyx3’s Post « One Fish’s Thoughts About the Ginormous Pond of Education
In short, the picture I have in my head of the 60s and the classroom in the 60s is much different from the world we live in today and classroom we teach in everyday.

I began school in the 1960’s, and it was very different from today.  The classroom was very traditional, seat all in rows. The teacher, a stern looking lady who had been teaching about 40 years by that time (wasn’t uncommon around here back then to teach 40-50 years) gave assignments and we worked quietly….talking would have earned you a few licks from her paddle!  She’d move from student to student helping as needed…there were no teachers aides in my school.  We had recess two times a day and were bused to a different location for lunch.  I left one hour each week to walk down the street…all by myself…. to the piano teacher’s little upstairs studio for my lesson….almost everyone in my class took piano lessons….hardly any kids do now days.

The most technological device I recall was the duplicating machine….we found the process of using a spirit master to make copies facinating.   Our classroom didn’t have a TV, but there was a radio.  Even the school’s bell was rung by hand by the secretary.

All in all, it was a simple time in my eyes….I was too young to know about the growing unrest on college campuses, the struggles for racial equality, and the possibilities of war soon to come….to me it was a very innocent time and I often wax sentimental for those days.

As we prepare for the CATS Assessment to begin in a week, I thought this might be a good time for educators to look at this video.  I think it says a lot about the direction schools have taken here in KY over the past few years, and while we “know” that we should not teach to the test, the reality of it all is that is generally happening.

Today’s Culture of youtube… « Lexieb76’s Weblog
This culture of showing everything on websites designed for entertainment are really bringing a new facet to our culture. Here we saw where young girls were honestly proud of their crimes and the horrendous treatment of another young lady. I even heard one girl say she deserved it after what she had said on myspace.com.

Events like this put me in mind of the ancient Romans and the Colosseum.  When people find violence to be a form of entertainment, I think we should be concerned.  I realize that part of the attraction arises from simple curiosity, but when our sense of morality does not stop use from wanting to see this type of behavior, we have a problem.  I also realize that students at this age are attempting to establish dominance and reinforce their image, but when behavior moves to extreme violence, then there is something just not right in these situations.  I do feel these type of videos should be screened more closely, and ideally they would be…..but realistically, the sheer volume of uploads per day would very likely prevent such monitoringl

Why We Don’t Have the Technology we Need « Ennaxor314’s Weblog
« Great Post on CheatingWhy We Don’t Have the Technology we Need
I have long been frustrated with the bereaucracy of school supplies. This post highlights one part of that. Another part, having nothing to do with computers, is simple supplies like scissors. I can buy good quality scissors for my students for $1 a pair at a local store. I cannot use my classroom budget to do so, however. In order to use my classroom budget, I must order the scissors from a catalog for $7 a pair.

I wonder just how many teachers there are out there that can echo your feelings on this!  Set aside the technology…..I think it is beyond ridiculous that we have to be stuck to a bid list where we pay many times more than we can pick up an item at a local store….plus the fact that you don’t have to wait weeks to get a purchase order approved.  I realize the logic behind a bid list is to prevent people from making under the table deals, but there also should have to be some clause or policy that requires bidders to price items within reason.  Maybe there is an ulterior motive…..how many times have you just given up and bought the item you needed out of your own pocket?

Tuition Cost = Resources « Tnprater1006’s Weblog
I am a big fan of smaller community colleges because I feel that individuals can receive a really good educational experience without the high cost of the larger schools.

The future outlook for many students continues to be bleak due to repetative increase in tution over the past few years.  While I am not sure what the true underlying cause is for more and more money each year, I am certain that their is going to be a breaking point in the near future….students simply will not be able to attend, or else will have to take smaller class loads in order to also work to help pay expenses.  It is perceivable that at 4 year degree could take 6 or 7 years for many students to complete.

I, too, am a fan of the community college system.  I started there and felt that I had some of the best instructors of my entire college experience.  My classes were small and my professors knew my name….that was not the case when I moved on to the University of Kentucky!  Seeing the cost of a college education is quickly becoming a barrier for many of our students, I tend to recommend them to attend a community collge.  This not only helps financially, but many of our students are not prepared for the sudden freedom that comes with university life and need these 2 or 3 years to mature more before heading off to a university.

 In the article, “Penalties Harsh for Cheating Teachers,” it talks about teachers in Florida who have been disciplined harshly for cheating or making errors when giving the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.  It seems that one teacher had her teaching certificate revoked after she was found guilty of coaching, even though the state did not prove she had “actual knowledge” she violated the state’s security law. 

I totally agree that teachers are placed under much undue stress over testing procedures.  Around here, the steps taken and the endless paperwork that must be done are approaching ridiculous!  Everyone is so afraid they will either make a mistake, or else some kid will just accuse them of something that they stay a nervous wreck throughout the testing window.  One thing our district has done that is a positive move is to pair two procotors for each testing room….that way it is just not one teachers word against the students’.  Still, I think the test itself is harder on teachers than students. 

What does this say about our culture?  Are teachers so untrustworthy that so many checks must be in place to insure that they will follow the rules?  I think it is just a lot of overkill! 

After thinking about this question for weeks, I have decided that teachers teach so that others may learn. Education has become a large part of the foundation of our culture, so there is a need for educators. As individuals are achieving their education, and gaining skills to be used in their chosen careers, they are making conscious choices as to how they want to earn a living. People mostly choose their jobs because they feel it is something that they can do successfully.  They are choosing to be contributing members of their society, so that the society can continue to thrive.

I think there’s a lot of truth in what you’ve said.  A true teacher does choose teaching because they want to empower the future.

But what about folks who choose education because they think it is easy?  Apparently they don’t have a clue about what teaching truly involves…..and it doesn’t take long to spot a teacher with this mentality….we all know someone like this.  How do we bring these people onboard so they realize just how important their job it?  I view teaching much like ministry…it is a higher calling than the average job becuase your choices and action do not just affect you….they affect many lives.  Think how many students a teacher encounters across their career……on average 30 students per class/6 classes a day/across 30 years of teaching….that’s 5400 students!  Think what an impact a teacher can have….now consider the impact if that teacher doesn’t take their job seriousy or does it half-heartedly…..that’s a lot of folks to let down!  So choosing teaching as a career should be carefully thought out before considering it.

I have to admit I am reluctant about blogging, but since this class requires it, I have made myself do it.  Since becoming familiar with blogging, I find myself thinking about getting a personal blog to write about different things in my life. 

I, too, often find it hard to post.  I sometimes think that what I have to say really doesn’t say anything!  Or at least nothing anyone else hasn’t already figured out or simply wouldn’t want to waste time reading.  A personal blog could be good therapy….and I think a personal blog dedicated to a specific topic of interest could be a  good way to connect with others with similar interests.  My problem is I prefer to do things on my own, by myself, without having to be considerate of others’ thoughts or feelings on the subject.