Show notes:
Discussion: @ 2:21 minutes
Jeff n' Dan discuss the proposed changes in the Graduation Requirements in Maine. Here's a link to the video introduction by Commissioner Sue Gendron. We recommend that you watch it and leave feedback at the DOE's website.
Tech Talk: @ 45 minutes
Jeff Reviews some Wiki sites. What are they and why would you use them.
http://Wikispaces.com
http://Wetpaint.com
http://pbwiki.com
http://currikki.com
http://wikimatrix.org
Media Integration: @ 51 minutes
Dan discusses three country songs and their use in the classroom.
Brad Paisley's "Online"
Montgomery Gentry's "What Do You Think About That"
Taylor Swift's "I'm Only Me When I'm with You"
Book Talk: @ 57:20 minutes
Dan reviews the book The Realm of Possiblity by David Levithan.
Didya See?: @ 1:02:25 minutes
SAD 58 misses an exception to regionalization by “This much” (Source: Sun Journal)
What’s the Beef with the School Lunch Program?
Music in this week's episode comes from Penmachine Podcast. “Meltdown Man” intro music by Derek K. Miller.
Listener feedback is encouraged. Contact us at wickeddecentlearning@gmail.com or leave us comments at http://wickeddecentlearning.blogspot.com
This episode was recorded Feb 23, 2008.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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6 comments:
I watched the video and Commissioner Gendron had all of the buzzwords that we hear on the web and blogosphere that students should be doing in the future. She has piqued my interest and it sounds promising.
But what I am concerned about is a statewide curriculum - i.e. syllabus review. If we are going to have a statewide curriculum, say it and go with it. Don't make the rank and file reinvent the wheel.
It is a good idea for the review, but I agree who is looking at them??? How are they qualified? Who will have the time, will there be reimbursement for their time in reviewing each others syllabi?
I am a special education teacher and am really concerned about the multiple pathways, what are they really. NCLB supercedes IDEA laws where they conflict...so this is a another big concern.
The timeline implementation is attempting to fit into the political appointment cycle. In 2 years there will be a new Education Commissioner and she is trying to get her and the governors policies as law before they are gone.
They want to take the determination of who is proficient from the classroom teacher to someone independent of the school to ensure that students are actually proficient and not just passed through as they are now.
I am going to take a wait and see attitude and wait for more definitions and information. We will see what happens.
Harold
Dan here:
Harold, you raise many of the same concerns I have but were unable to cram into the show.
And I think you are especially 100% on the money with regards to the timetable. I fear, once again, education becomes about politics rather than about what is best for kids.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/4792433.html
Dan here:
And the plot thickens . . .
Here are a couple of belated comments:
1. I agree with your comments about funding. The Dept. of Ed. keeps giving us more to do but also is taking away funds. Fund staffing of the schools in a way we could humanly accomplish these tasks. I also agree that not all these ideas are bad. I'm not trying to be "against change", but the state need to "put their money where their mouth is."
2. I ate school lunch the other day and the choices were very poor. As a parent and an educator, I wish there would be a greater look at what is served to students. Is there any "cooking" being done? Everything served on Friday was a warmed up item. Again, I know it comes down to budgets but as a tax payer as well as a mom who does give money to my son for a hot meal, I am willing to pay more for real food. I do use the movie "Super Size Me" in my economics classes. Maybe I could comment on how later.
Thanks for "readin" my rant. :) Debbie
Dan here:
Hi Debbie. Thanks for the comments and please, we'd love to hear about your work with 'SuperSize Me.'
I think the food service folks working in schools are underpaid and underappreciated by and large. At the same time, I'm often dismayed by the food served to our students. We often have similar food provided at in-services and I just don't eat it. It doesn't taste good.
I know budgets are tight and they try to do the best they can with what they have, but that doesn't mean the muffins should have too much baking powder and the apples should be mealy.
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