Week 9: Brian Crosby

I had two sets of emotions when watching the Brian Crosby video.

1. Amazement
What a great way to teach. You can tell that Brian is an exceptional teacher. He is really not the norm, but a hugh standard to aspire to. College kids should watch this video. I would also assume that he has attained this through innovation, cooperation, and the force of his personality.

2. Disappointment
Jeez, why can't my school do this. Even me, the optimist (usually!) was discouraged that our very wealthy school district does not have enough computers for the kids to learn on. The past three weeks I have not been able to do my final project because both of the computer labs are being used for standardized testing.

Brian is right when he talks about how test scores should be high when motivation and interest is high. The basics are covertly covered within high interest activities. When students are motivated, it is because school is interesting and fun! How many times do we hear that school is boring for kids. Ask them what classes are fun, and they will immediately (in my school) name art :), PE, science, and others. They should be naming language arts, science, social studies, etc. I love that they name the 'specials' but unfortunately they are not naming all the classes!!!

Teachers need to have activities where students are doing something and all learning is connected. Maybe we should no longer teach compartmentalized subjects, but move middle school to an elementary project based model. Connect all the learning through technology and art! Make all new teachers learn integration as the vehicle for learning.

If this happened, maybe the Brian Crosby's of the world would be the norm, not the exception...

Aaron

Podcast..Grrrrrr

I have been struggling for days. I have never been so frustrated with my Mac...

I have tried a million times to create a video podcast with narration that I created in my classroom. I had the kids write and record their voices talking about their cultural mask projects. I brought everything home and then spent hours as angry as hell. My old version of iMovie would easily let me do everything I needed. The new version does not!!! Crazy and stupid.

I will post the video-less podcast of the kids talking about their projects. Hopefully I will figure it out or create it on my crappy PC at school.

Wait, wait, it may have worked!!!!

Yours,
Aaron