Jersey Village High School teacher Carol Pearsall went to Adopt-A-Classroom to ask for a high-tech system that makes class discussions a little less threatening for shy teens. It costs about $1,000.
"I'm hoping to get an electronic system where all the kids have their own little remote control and I can ask a question and they can respond to it," Pearsall said. "If they're wrong, the other kids can't see."Gosh, whatever happened to High Schools preparing students for real life? For public speaking? For interaction with their peers and the world around them?
No, instead we have 'shy teen' outreach programs like the above. This way kids can answer electronically and anonymously and not face ridicule. Great. Let's put 10.000 class clowns nationwide out of a job. How else is High School supposed to scar you for life? Most schools have already eliminated gym class.
Heck, this blog is more open to discourse than the above suggested system. Answering questions with no one else seeing the answer used to be called a TEST. Having to raise your hand and speak intelligently and convincingly used to be called CLASS DISCUSSION, and you were graded on it. Let's replace the debate team with the write it on a slip of paper and don't offend anyone team.
What real life situations are we preparing these teens for? Middle East Peace Negotiations?
Now Israel, I want you to write down what you would like on a slip of paper and fold it in half... No peeking Palestine!
These ambitious, well-prepared leaders of tomorrow will go right from High School to - On Line College Courses! Where they will get A's and be ready for - a real live job interview! Not. Perhaps they can just design video games from home. Yes, that would be best. Don't push them.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
But We All Feel Good About Ourselves
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1 comment:
Interesting blog, however you have no understanding of teenage kids or what happens in a classroom. When did you ever sit in a class and test 24/7? Not a reality.
Reality is that many kids "are" quiet and won't answer questions "because" they may be wrong. Reality is that kids think it's "not cool" to raise their hand in class. Reality is that teachers are responsible for trying to reach them. Reality is that if we can reach them, they can acquire the skills that can get them real jobs. Reality is that if we overlook the quiet kid, they will have a hard time dealing with the real world of work and bills and responsibilities. Reality is that games help teach and keep kids interested. Studies show that kids who have fun learning stay in school longer and participate in the process.
Reality is that technology is all around us and wireless devices are being used across the country in corporate America to train personnel.
The article didn't say that Ms. Pearsall worked in the business world for 25 years before becoming a teacher. Puts a different spin on things...
So if Israel responds with an electronic mechanism versus not responding at all, we have hope for Israel....
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