This is probably the most dramatic and eye opening point of his book. Partnering is the student's job, not the teacher's! Stop making power points,white boards,etc. to instruct,only students should be allowed to use them. Thoughts to process. Truly a paradigm shift. Comments?
I agree with this opinion… to a point. We may never learn anything new unless we situate ourselves in position to do so. Teaching is about guiding young ones to learn new things and explaining that mistakes lead us to new learning. In regard to teachers using PowerPoint, I think that it is acceptable as long as we are not reading from it. It should be used to analyze an idea, discuss a topic, research a concept, etc… The partnering approach is tempting us to give students more responsibility and allowing them to take hold of their own learning. Teachers still need to teach and guide; to do that I find that those resources should still be used minimally by teachers to guide students, then allowing them to use these tools to teach their peers and inform others of their new learning. We need to first teach what is acceptable, and show what it looks like. Once that is done, students should be free to explore and learn on their own with minimal feedback from the teacher on each student’s progress. We may find like the teacher noted in the book, that students have a lot to teach us!
ReplyDeleteLike Christie, I agree with this concept to an extent. I do not think that tools such as PowerPoint so exclusively be used only by students. These tools are meant to enhance and improve learning and can be used successfully in the classroom by both students and teachers. Students should be taught to use these tools independently to share their ideas with classmates and even with the global community through use of the internet. There are many useful ways that both teachers and students can use these resources in the classroom. They can be used for brainstorming/organizing ideas, as a guide for presentations, and to enhance any learning activity. Unfortunately I am sure we can all attest to a teacher or colleague who has not used these resources effectively. Programs such as Power Point are sometimes used in lieu of other more appropriate instruction methods.
ReplyDelete“Students should be free to explore and learn on their own with minimal feedback from the teacher on each student’s progress” – I believe that students should receive constant feedback and guidance from the teacher and their peers. Constructive feedback is essential for student’s to correct their mistakes and improve.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with what Christie said and with the method of partnering, however, I still think it is okay for teachers to use PowerPoint as long as they do not abuse the privilege of using it. This argument stems from the foundation of those in favor of direct instruction and those in favor of a student-centered classroom. I believe that a healthy balance can be achieved and a recipe of both methods will make up an effective yet fun learning environment for students. I don't feel like the classroom can be completely run by students in terms of beings hands on with everything. A teacher should be a guide and direct students to a certain degree and allow them to have the freedom to explore learning on their own. Only with a student's own mistakes and perceptions will learning truly take place. However, I do agree with the fact that many teachers do make a PowerPoint and do not fully explain it the students to ensure that they have learned what they just read. I feel that in order for a teacher to use technology correctly, that they need to make sure to assess their students before, during, and after the presentation. I do not fully agree with the idea that partnering teachers should never, ever use the technology for their students. Although this idea allows for learning to be more hands on and real for the students, it may not always be the sensible decision, and there can be classroom management issues due to it. Teachers who know how should definitely be showing and getting the students to do things for themselves in the classroom, I do agree with this idea from Prensky. I really do agree with Prensky's idea of how teachers should be encouraging and doing everything they can to get their students to dive into learning,use technology effectively, become really hands on with the materials, and truly become passionate about their education, their dreams, and what is going on in the world. But, on the flip side of the coin, students shouldn't be given too much freedom because they still need the guidance and structure of their teachers, so they do not lose sight of what is important and is needed to know to learn to their fullest potential.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comments and know that is important for students to take ownership of their learning, and for teachers to give them the right tools to support it. We can learn so much from our students. The partnering method is a great way for a student to become responsible and accountable for their learning. I also believe in a balanced approach in the classroom with partnering.The teacher also needs to have effective classroom management skills and make sure they are consistent with them. Then students have the routine and structure they need to become accountable. It is important for us to know our students, and encourage them everyday in and out of the classroom to figure out what kind of learner they are in order to achieve their academic goals. Teachers should continue to an extent use power points and white boards as a guide during teaching. Whatever it takes for a student to become engaged help them discover the different tools to enhance their learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone’s opinions, However since technology continues to provide both teachers and students with useful tools. I feel these tools should be used often to guide our students. Classmates could first use power points as a starting point, and with partnering students into pairs and or groups this tool could also aide classmates and lead them in the right direction as they continue. I have been in classrooms when teachers have used power points as well as brain pops, and other teaching tools. I have seen students become excited when they are utilized and look forward to it. Last week I was in a class in which we used the smart board during a math lesson. The students each took turns “teaching” the math lesson to their classmates. It was an awesome site. I enjoyed watching the kids faces when it was their turn to be the “teacher”. They could use the technology with confidence and were actually teaching me as they were using it. They were able to take turns with ease and the lesson worked out wonderfully. Students of today have these technology tools at their finger tips. Buy helping them become comfortable with these tools and continue to use them appropriately . We are better preparing them for future.
ReplyDeletePartnering is both the teacher and student's job. Remember we teach digital natives. We have to use any resource availed to us to get them to learn. So does this mean that we limit the resources they can use to exhibit what they have learned, absoooooooolutely not. Smartboards, smartphones, constrction paper, glue, and scissors too, whatever resource we have we should use. The minute a new phenomenon surfaces there will be those to embrace them and naysayers to reject them. As for this educator whatever she can get her hands on to motivate her students is what she will use. Whatever the instrument, teachers have to plan. They have to be in the know before they can expect their students to even attempt to know. Teachers loosen up, get out there and make a miracle. Use whatever you dare and be ready to swear by it.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Prensky and many of my classmates here. The job of learning, whether that is through technological partnering or another modality, is the job of the student. The teacher is meant to guide and set up the path for the students to follow. By creating the environment for students to thrive through partnering, they can then make their education “real” by utilizing these tools and creating tangible products from the work that they put in. Rather than creating something for a teacher that will sit in a file cabinet somewhere, students can make relatable and real contributions to their own education.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the use of PowerPoints, etc, I feel that it has its place as a supplement to learning. Ideally, students should be the ones creating these types of materials along with a rigorous and encompassing rubric (created by the teacher) to outline exactly what is expected from the student to ensure quality work. So, the student is the one doing the work, and the teacher has fulfilled his or her role in providing specific guidance for the students. I also feel that this will place a great deal of responsibility unto the students for their own creations. The key to partnering is minimal teacher feedback and involvement. Let the students be the scientists and learn through discovery.
SUBMITTED BY CHRIS FOSTER
I somewhat agree with this statement. I've seen, unfortunately too many times, teachers not giving students enough credit. Being in the secondary schools rather than elementary, it is so important to but responsibility on students and sit back and let them explore and you be their tour guide. Teachers need to be there to help but not to ALWAYS provide the answers. Let students find things themselves, make mistakes, talk with other students and explore their learning. This can change the atmosphere in the classroom and students could very well take a liking to topics you thought would be completely impossible to get them to grasp. We have to but 100% faith in the students and back off a little and provide them with guidance. Give guidelines to keep students on track but do not give limitations. Let them go beyond the needs and discover.
ReplyDeleteOops, I can't believe I missed this one, and such a great topic too! I agree with what almost everything that everyone else has said. I do think that using power point can be a useful tool in aiding students in their learning journey. Fist of all by teaching students the correct way to use a power point, so that they do not end up just reading straight from the board. If they are never introduced on how to use it properly, then they will never use it properly. Another point is is that it helps integrate technology into the classroom. It teaches teachers how to use these tools as well as the students. The content inside the power point can also be used as a constructive approach to teaching/learning.
ReplyDeleteBut often times power points are abused and students become bored and uninterested, so I truly think that it should be weighed before approached, but not be completely excluded for the many tools teachers can use to guide instruction.