Comments on: A Letter to Teachers about Learning http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/ education + technology + ideas Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:57:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Leo Havemann http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1105 Leo Havemann Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:04:08 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1105 I'd also love to know if/how any of them responded! I’d also love to know if/how any of them responded!

]]> By: tracy http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1074 tracy Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:56:21 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1074 and what was the reaction to the letter? and what was the reaction to the letter?

]]> By: Allison Miller http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1067 Allison Miller Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:18:56 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1067 Hi Chris I'm just catching up with some blog reading, and found this post. I'm very interested to know if your letter to the group of teachers made any difference and whether you received any responses from any of them? I think this is a very typical situation with staff (having worked with them) in similar situations. It would be great to do some research into why educators opt in with enthusiasm to online training but don't commit the time to complete what's required. Do you think it's because they think online learning will be 'easier' than traditional face to face training? Or perhaps that they are not very good self-motivated learners themselves? Allison Hi Chris

I’m just catching up with some blog reading, and found this post.

I’m very interested to know if your letter to the group of teachers made any difference and whether you received any responses from any of them?

I think this is a very typical situation with staff (having worked with them) in similar situations.

It would be great to do some research into why educators opt in with enthusiasm to online training but don’t commit the time to complete what’s required.

Do you think it’s because they think online learning will be ‘easier’ than traditional face to face training?

Or perhaps that they are not very good self-motivated learners themselves?

Allison

]]> By: Bethany Smith http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1036 Bethany Smith Fri, 30 May 2008 13:39:58 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1036 I love the 23 things theme. Someone recommended I do a "theme" for professional development and I thought they were crazy. I tried it - and it totally worked. I had a waiting list! I hope to use 23 Things as my semester long PD in the fall. Thanks! I love the 23 things theme. Someone recommended I do a “theme” for professional development and I thought they were crazy. I tried it - and it totally worked. I had a waiting list! I hope to use 23 Things as my semester long PD in the fall. Thanks!

]]> By: Richard van Dijk http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1028 Richard van Dijk Mon, 26 May 2008 04:33:20 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1028 Hi Came here via virtual Staffroom, been missing my drive to work podcasts :-). Can well and truly say I feel your pain. I offer lunchtime, during school and after-school tutorials. The number one feedback is "it's great its one on one learning" Now this is because I only get one person showing up. I would be interested to see how you structured it in Moodle though. Hi

Came here via virtual Staffroom, been missing my drive to work podcasts :-). Can well and truly say I feel your pain. I offer lunchtime, during school and after-school tutorials. The number one feedback is “it’s great its one on one learning” Now this is because I only get one person showing up.

I would be interested to see how you structured it in Moodle though.

]]> By: azrunner http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1027 azrunner Sun, 25 May 2008 22:47:23 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1027 Hi! I ran into a similar issue in working on a project to help teachers with technology. Initially many were interested but in the end only a couple really came through and fully participated. However, I'd like to think that by getting a couple others will start to see what they are doing and that will kick start more interest. I've often found teachers are motivated by what's going on next door... Great letter! I'll be sharing it with many! Adam Hi!

I ran into a similar issue in working on a project to help teachers with technology. Initially many were interested but in the end only a couple really came through and fully participated. However, I’d like to think that by getting a couple others will start to see what they are doing and that will kick start more interest. I’ve often found teachers are motivated by what’s going on next door…

Great letter! I’ll be sharing it with many!
Adam

]]> By: Anne Baird http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1026 Anne Baird Sun, 25 May 2008 10:38:30 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1026 I agree with what everyone has said but I think there is also an element of "I know I should learn more about ICT, but I don't know why and I'm really not that interested". I think that the nature of many teachers is that they will often put up their hand to take on some new learning with the best on intentions but invariably when push comes to shove they will find that the task is too much or too time consuming. With anything that is new there are those who will and those who say they will and they don't. At our school we have required teachers this year to create a digital portfolio using a wiki and I was talking to a colleague the other day who said that some of our teachers were really frustrated with the process because when there were problems it took so much longer to solve them because they were unsure of how to problem solve. They said that everything took so much longer than usual. That is certainly fair enough but it's not a good enough reason to stop the process. I think that one of the unfortunate things with any new learning is that it does take longer and there is that element of frustration. And unfortunately it often falls back to those who are passionate about this who would then take the time and the effort to do the problem solving that is required. Who else would be online on a Sunday night talking to colleagues from all around the world? :) I agree with what everyone has said but I think there is also an element of “I know I should learn more about ICT, but I don’t know why and I’m really not that interested”. I think that the nature of many teachers is that they will often put up their hand to take on some new learning with the best on intentions but invariably when push comes to shove they will find that the task is too much or too time consuming. With anything that is new there are those who will and those who say they will and they don’t. At our school we have required teachers this year to create a digital portfolio using a wiki and I was talking to a colleague the other day who said that some of our teachers were really frustrated with the process because when there were problems it took so much longer to solve them because they were unsure of how to problem solve. They said that everything took so much longer than usual. That is certainly fair enough but it’s not a good enough reason to stop the process. I think that one of the unfortunate things with any new learning is that it does take longer and there is that element of frustration. And unfortunately it often falls back to those who are passionate about this who would then take the time and the effort to do the problem solving that is required. Who else would be online on a Sunday night talking to colleagues from all around the world? :)

]]> By: Ann Oro http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1024 Ann Oro Fri, 23 May 2008 21:49:50 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1024 Chris: The hardest step is the first one taken. I like the idea of 23 Things. Nine weeks can go so very quickly, though, even with the best intentions. Will they be able to keep revisiting the Moodle course once the nine weeks are complete? I started on my own personal journey over the course of the last year and a half and I am computer savvy. It's taken an amazing amount of effort on my part to learn and grow with these new tools. Everything I have learned has been well worth my effort. I have benefited in ways too numerous to mention and so have my students. This past month, I signed up for the 31 Day Comment Challenge. I have every intent to continue through all 31 steps, but so many things pull me away from my intention to work on improving myself in this one way. I like the tone of your letter. It might be interesting to survey those who signed up for the course at its conclusion. You might learn how to make another attempt at this offering in the future go smoother. Ann Chris:
The hardest step is the first one taken. I like the idea of 23 Things. Nine weeks can go so very quickly, though, even with the best intentions. Will they be able to keep revisiting the Moodle course once the nine weeks are complete?

I started on my own personal journey over the course of the last year and a half and I am computer savvy. It’s taken an amazing amount of effort on my part to learn and grow with these new tools. Everything I have learned has been well worth my effort. I have benefited in ways too numerous to mention and so have my students. This past month, I signed up for the 31 Day Comment Challenge. I have every intent to continue through all 31 steps, but so many things pull me away from my intention to work on improving myself in this one way.

I like the tone of your letter. It might be interesting to survey those who signed up for the course at its conclusion. You might learn how to make another attempt at this offering in the future go smoother.

Ann

]]> By: Elona Hartjes http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1023 Elona Hartjes Fri, 23 May 2008 09:54:08 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1023 Chris, What a wonderful idea. What a great way to learn about digital technology. I can understand your disappointment, but teachers are like students- think of what goes on at a staff meeting and think of what goes on in a class. Keep up the good work for those few who really want to learn. They will appreciate it. I'll have to remind myself to do the same. :) I only have about 3 or 4 teachers really interested in learning more about digital technology. Chris,
What a wonderful idea. What a great way to learn about digital technology. I can understand your disappointment, but teachers are like students- think of what goes on at a staff meeting and think of what goes on in a class. Keep up the good work for those few who really want to learn. They will appreciate it. I’ll have to remind myself to do the same. :) I only have about 3 or 4 teachers really interested in learning more about digital technology.

]]> By: mat http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1022 mat Thu, 22 May 2008 09:19:11 +0000 http://betch.edublogs.org/2008/05/21/a-letter-to-teachers-about-learning/#comment-1022 Chris , I started reading your post thinking wow, that's pretty good getting 14 volunteers. Hmm. I really think there is something to be said for paying for a course (or knowing your school has paid for it) as an incentive to applying yourself. James Thurber said never give away a puppy because the receiver will just give it back if things don't work out. Noone gives back a dog they've paid for. Not an exact analogy, but... We have had some teachers (about 5) take up the paid option to do the 23 things and we are hoping to work together as a support group, whilst having an outside mentor online. Hasn't started yet so we'll see. Marita Thomson Chris , I started reading your post thinking wow, that’s pretty good getting 14 volunteers. Hmm. I really think there is something to be said for paying for a course (or knowing your school has paid for it) as an incentive to applying yourself. James Thurber said never give away a puppy because the receiver will just give it back if things don’t work out. Noone gives back a dog they’ve paid for. Not an exact analogy, but… We have had some teachers (about 5) take up the paid option to do the 23 things and we are hoping to work together as a support group, whilst having an outside mentor online. Hasn’t started yet so we’ll see.
Marita Thomson

]]>