Harvesting Success...

This week in class we have had a lot of deep discussions. These discussions have been "off-topic" for what was planned but out of them has come a great deal of learning. Simply understanding the benefits of an "off-topic" discussion is a benefit from this week, not to mention the subjects discussed is also beneficial to becoming a successful teacher. I have learned so much in this class in just a month. This class is so much more than simply learning the facts. For example, it is one thing to know the five standards of NCTCS, but is another to understand how to apply them and aid students in being successful.

Measuring the success of a student is a very controversial subject. Some say tests are the only way to measure student learning. Others would say that this is not a fair method. Some would argue it is not fair to think this is unfair... and the conversations can go on. This is issue really boils down to the need of your student. There is no getting around testing, the state requires it because it is a known method for testing growth quickly and easily for large groups of people. Now some students may not test well, this when you can take into consideration the other aspects of learning, such as classroom activities. We cannot simply eliminate part of a system because it is not fair to everyone because that is not how it works in the real world we are preparing them for. We as teachers have to adapt and figure how to maximize their individual learning. Teaching the same material to 25 small minds and then individually accessing what they learned and helping each student reach the same goal. This is no easy job for sure. This is similar to asking 25 people to run a race but some have obstacles to get through and some have more obstacles than others and still at the end of the day they must all cross the same finish line. Teachers have to be creative in this approach and provide the correct tools to help each student be successful.

This leads into our next conversation. How to appropriately blend technology, content, and pedagogy. Pedagogy is methods of great teaching. To me this means harvesting success most effectively. This may mean the use of technology as tool to enhance learning but this may also mean the use of no technology. This is not a cut and dry answer. This depends on the group of students, the subject being taught, the mood for the day of the class.. the list can go on. True pedagogy I believe comes when you truly know your students and how they learn best. Each student will learn differently but as a group a teacher has to decide what the best method is to help her class cross that finish line together.

Success is the goal.. not an A, not a 4 on the EOGs, simply success. Harvesting success starts with the teacher and follows through and reflects in the students. Helping your students cross that finish line is the goal. Obstacles will arise but a good teacher, a successful teacher, will harvest successful students because they have learned what success truly is... growth.