I know our paths will cross again —
and I can’t wait to hear the stories of your new experiences.

Jen

The fact that I can almost certainly say that most teachers DO NOT evaluate term papers the same way from when they begin to when they are done (even with a rubric) first of all makes me want to say enough is enough. After reading 15 hours of term papers can we honestly believe the teacher has given the same effort and comprehension to each paper? No. And on top of that, each paper written influences the teacher which again makes it an unfair grade.

So, I am with you in let’s find another way…….

But then I wonder how…….and are teachers ready to give up ONE STANDARD way for perhaps 100 possible ways.

Could a student create a blog post, a wiki, a presentation, a piece of artwork, a graphic, a movie, a podcast, a song, a play, a brochure, a sculpture, a quiz, a speech, a poster, a mobile, a diorama, a photograph, or even a research paper to prove not only understanding of what they learned but also how they have applied what they learned to their life.

Or would students — themselves — also just find the easiest way to turn in a requirement to get a grade?

Your blog post is much more than just thoughts of a buggy whip, it brings in the bridle, the saddle, the cart, the bucket of oats — and more.

The research paper just might be the horse — but what we do with it…….that might be the hardest things teachers and students will have to work on.

Just my thoughts.
Jen

The other sad side, is that it has become relatively rare for teachers to select their own topic(s) for PD. If release is paid for by your school board, odds are, the sessions will be prescribed.

We are so much more productive today because of technology than our peers were 20 or 30 years ago. Posting to a website is as easy as a click of a mouse and social networking is giving a voice to those that choose to harness its power. How we choose to use all this tech says a lot about ourselves.