What do I want my students to know?
In general, of course, would be the subject I'm teaching either be history or sociology. Something they should truly know is not to read from the textbook and regurgitate what it says, that's simple and easily forgotten, but learn why things are they way they are. Krissy Venosdale's dream school, little unrealistic in my opinion, has a key component that I admire; creativity. Expanding both sides of the brain helps a lot in my opinion especially in long, sometimes boring martial like history. By doing so, Students will want to engage the topic, form opinions, and begin learning.
What do I want my students to be able to do?
I've always explain that I want my students to learn, engage, and debate the topic in hand, but something they really should do is want their opinions, their thoughts, and their voice means something even out of the classroom. Sugata Mitra ran an experiment that I thought was intriguing; He gave people, who didn't have access to learning or technology, a computer and they learned by themselves. He goes through this experiment over and over discovering people will learn, not only learn, but will teach others. That's what I would love happen. I want my students able to learn the subject so well that when they're talking about outside of school, a student come up asking what are they talking about, they'll smile and teach that student. Like a good deed, it would spread from student teaching a classmate who teaches his friend. As unrealistic as it is, I wouldn't be upset if I lost my job, because the entire school learned all of my course material, and couldn't teach anyone.
What will be my primary way to teaching my students what I want them to be able to do?
Thinking of how I am and my previous teachers as examples, I would naturally go with" read from the textbook and discuss this." Of course, I already see the flaws in this, like students simply not reading the textbook or being held down with the details. If I want to teach my students to teach others, I, who hopefully knows everything about the subject at hand, will be teaching to people who know a little on the subject that will teach people who know nothing. I should keep it simple and easy to remember, so instead of reading the textbook word for word, have the theme for the lesson's text and discuss that. A theme makes it simpler to remember, since it's one thing, it is not deluded with useless facts and tidbits knowledge. Discussions are clear and focused by eliminating side material. Of course, The topics would stack onto each other as the lessons passed, which will help build stronger and better discussions.
What tools will be I used in the classroom?
"I don't have to write that down. I'll remember it." That is a quote that I regret every time I say it. No one ever remembers what they wanted to write down. How would I change that though? I could allow cellphones, lab tops, Ipods, or any other technology usually banned from classrooms. Of course, there's usually a good reason to do so, but why hinder those who want to learn, because someone wanted to text their friend in class. As for tools in teaching, Illustration are usually a good way to remember things; using both sides of the brain. I no artistic, so anything I drew would being a riot of laughs, but it keeps people engaged and paying attention. To further explain my opinion on Krissy's dream, her school is very artistry with colors, visions, and canvas of art. I admire that, but if remembering high school right, most high schools lose that sense of enjoyment and becomes a bothersome than a wonder. But Krissy brought up a good point, bring the subject to life instead of looking at it in a book; Marine Biology learn about fish, why not have a fish tank? If I were to go into history, I wouldn't read the amazing story of the civil war, I allow my students to reenacted it.
What role will the students play in my classroom?
Of course, I have been saying that I would love my students to play the role of teacher outside of classroom, but of course, they can't teach me the subject I already know in the classroom. They have to learn what and how to teach, but do they have to learn from just me? Sugata mention the "Grandmother effect" which makes sense when I thought about it. Playing it dumb, asking the obvious questions, and complementing others for information we may or may not know is definitely a way to approach things. we all learned "My Very Earthy Mother Served Us Nine Pizzas," when we were learning the solar systems, but maybe someone learned a different way. While they can't teach me what I already know, they could teach me a new way to approach it. Students will always find a way to learn something, so why not let them express that as see if chances someone's ear.
