Educational Discourse

Just began the book “The Three Minute Clasroom Walk Through” by Carolyn J. Downey, Steffy, English, Frase & Poston.

The beginning is very interesting as the model Downey uses is described, the influences that shaped the model are introduced and the stages of development are outlined. I particularly like the approach that has the teacher-supervisor in a collaborative relationship, working toward teacher self-efficacy with support from the supervisor.  I also like the fact that it focuses on influence and acknowledges that we cannot make someone do something with any longterm effect. Instead, we need to influence their thoughts through observed questioning which leads the person to reflection and change coming from within.  Stay tuned.

MrC

Today I’ve been working on my class at Harvard Education. I’m taking a graduate class in using Teaching for Understanding Incorporating Technology. The purpose of the class is to think about ways in which we, as teachers, can use technology to enhance the understanding of our students. We begin with the understanding that we want our students to have and then create a unit and lessons that look at matching technology to the class. My class, Communication Production Technology, works so well for this. I’ve been working with audacity in the class, having students create their own sound combinations and then, hopefully, creating podcasts that they can post for others to listen. We really would like to have them posted, get feedback about what might be need to be changed. If you follow the link you will see my school website that has the outlines for this class.

www.freewebs.com/mrchristie