Digital Sea

Teach to the Test!? Well, I Just Winged It.

I forgot to write about this a while ago, so I just wanted to take the time and write a quickie on the NYSTCE.  So, I decided to take two of the Teacher Certification Tests a couple weekends ago.  It was such a hectic summer, that I didn't get to prepare at all.  I was told, by multiple--well everyone I know who's a teacher or pre-service teacher--people, that there was no need to study.  Well, let me tell you... they were right.

It was kinda' insulting, to be completely honest.  I guess they're just checking that future teachers are competent.  Some of the questions were ridiculous.  I don't want to get into this, as this isn't what I really wanted to write about, but on a side note, the tests were incredibly easy.

What I really wanted to talk about was the test itself: a non-contextualized multiple-choice test.

As I mentioned above, these tests were astonishingly simple, so I didn't have a hard time.  But, there were a lot of questions--especially in the English sections--that I hesitated.  I knew the answer "they" wanted me to give, but there were others that could have easily been defended as being the "correct" answer.

So what about the Regents.  I'm trying to teach these kids not to be mindless-drones, and now they have to pick out ambiguous answers that have no relevance to anything?

I read a great article in the English Journal today--I'd love to tell you which one and by who, but I'm way too lazy to get up out right now.

They author basically just stated how teachers don't work together and should.  Basically his theory was that if teacher's work together--without being offended, bickering, and all the other child-like issues--they will be able to teach English the way they feel it should be taught.  But for now, he is stating the obvious: teachers do their own thing, teach the way they want during the year, then at the last minute teach to the test... awesome.

Well, just some food for thought for moi.  Cheers.

Paul's First Lecture

A lot to talk about today, but that would be overwhelming, so I just want to talk about Paul Shirley's lecture that I watched via streaming video this morning.  You can watch it too! 

First off, to be honest, this wasn't the most profound lecture that I've ever watched--especially one on globalization.  Paul Shirley is a professional (mostly aspiring NBA player) basketball player and writer.  He's written one book and has had many blogs while stationed on the bench in the NBA.  This lecture that he gave at his alma mater was interesting, mostly because of his unique perspective on traveling the world (he's played on something like twelve professional basketball across the world).  He spoke about how things were different for him and how he was able to market himself... it really wasn't anything new.

I, personally, thought that the most interesting part of this lecture came at the question-and-answer portion.  He answered a lot of tough questions very intelligently.  One particularly has been on my mind:

One student asked if him getting an engineering degree has helped him in his life as a writer and NBA player.  Paul made some jokes about how it's a stretch and how it certainly didn't help him get girls; then he said he attributed his degree for his problem-solving ability.  Then he went on to say something relevant to us English people.

He said that a lot of the classes that he had taken didn't help him at all.  He acutally refered to some program--I couldn't hear which, he was mumbling--that was archeiac and was nothing but a waste of time.  He said that, instead of classes such as this useless class he mentioned, he wished they were offered some more English and language classes.

Now I understand that this guy is a writer now, and he probably would have liked to take an English class becuase that's what he likes...

But I don't think that's what he was getting at.  He was speaking about a bigger population than just himself.  He was referring to basketball players and engineers.  He recognizes that reading and writing skills are such an important part in every person's life.

Now, I know that most of the people who will read this blog already understand the importance of our beloved niche.  But... is there something more here, something that can be used in class?  A lot of high-school students love sports; what if they heard a professional basketball player telling them the importance of the class that they hate?

I guess I'm not saying anything new.  I just wanted to write about this lecture, and, to be honest, I was a little disappointed in it.  I don't think it's Paul's fault either; I just think this is old news now.  I was hoping to hear more 'bout globalization; it's just not there.

Cool, Calm

I usually neglect my educational blog during the summer.  I don't know why; I feel like I lose a lot of great ideas by not writing about them.  Oh, well. 

I actually started two different blogs this summer.  I like to revert to the old, no-point blogging style over the summer.  I don't think I'm going to link to them, though...

One of my favorite things to do is go back to all my old blog posts.  Kinda' irrelevant but true nonetheless.

Anyway, I had an interested turn of events.  My host teacher at Cortland High accepted a job as the Junior-High Principal.  This left me, obviously, without a host teacher.  I frantically contacted all of the appropriate people and hoped that I would get a new placement soon.

Two days ago, my wish came true.  Now I'm at Marathon High.  At first I was incredibly disappointed, for no reason...

But, as it turns out, I really believe this is going to be great.  I feel that my new host teacher, Miss Burgess, and I see eye-to-eye.  She made me feel very comfortable, and I'm now, again, super-duper excited to start teaching... FINALLY!

It looks like I'm going to start teaching Shakespeare--A Midsummer Night's Dream, to be exact.  Miss B said that this is usually the kids' favorite unit (and hers), and she's letting me to do it!  I have big ideas for jazzing up S'speare.  Think: graphic  novel, videos, Comic LIfe and et cetera.  I have a lot of preparing to do becuase of the change in plans.

On a side note, I'm really diggin' Twitter.  I've been getting a lot of help via messages and replies in all of my work.  I didn't see the point at first; it's clear now.  What a cool app.  Check out PicLens too.  Great way to create a smorgasboard of all the photos you're looking at.

I'll be updating regularaly again.  Cheers.