Just a thinking….
to open up the discussion with a small group of at-risk students at a
local high school this Friday. I’ll be setting up their blogs and
getting to know them. I plan to tell them that they are the ones whose
voices we need to hear. They can help us learn how to improve the
learning.. We’ll be using
our blogs to write about issues that matter to them. We need their help
on how schools could improve. Tonight I’m working late so I’m thinking
about questions to ask.
- Do you think schools need to change? If so, in what ways do you think schools need to change?
- What is the school doing to help you be a successful learner? What could they do?
- What is a successful learner?
- What should the school be teaching to help you succeed in the future?
- How could students help schools improve?
- How do you know if you are successful?
- What motivates you to learn?
- What do you wish your teachers were doing to help you learn?
- What makes a good school?
- What makes a good teacher?
- What helps you learn?
- What hinders your learning?
- Is school relevant to you? If not, how could it be relevant?
- What would you change in your school? What needs to stay the same?
- What does your school do really well? What does your school need to do better?
- Is technology a part of your learning? Tell me about it.
- Do you use technology outside of school? What technology do you use?
- How would you like to use technology in school?
- Do you get a chance to talk about your goals for learning? Would you like that?
- How do you learn best?
- What’s your favorite part about your daily routine? What’s your least favorite part?
Now I am just
thinking. I usually start with questions and many times the questions
lead me in different directions. I probably won’t even get to this on
Friday
but I thought I’d toss these ideas out. I’m open for any input or
suggestions. This is a group who have not always had good experiences
with learning. They could teach us a lot if I can gain their trust. I’m
in a whole new arena and know I have much to learn. I have some great
teachers I’ll be working with who will be my navigators as I start this
learning journey. I’m looking forward to it.
September 15th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
Anne — I’m looking forward to hearing from these students. At my at-risk high school, we need other examples of student blogs to help fire up my kids who are blogging in their “spare time.” I hope the students that you meet will share their experiences and encourage my students to share theirs.
September 15th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
Anne,
I’m probably speaking way out of place here, since it’s been a long time since I taught youngsters. But one thing that I remember is that they liked to tell stories. I wonder if, when asking students, “What motivates you to learn?” it might be worded, “Think of the last time you really enjoyed learning something, in or out of school. Tell us about that experience.” “When was the last time you remember being really frustrated by trying to learn something. Tell us about that.”
I’m way out of place here, but commenting because these are some really important questions. It just seems that people like to tell stories.
– Backing out, with 2¢ in my pocket.
– dave –
September 15th, 2005 at 3:34 pm
Hey Bud!
Thanks for the comment! I have the same hopes! I hope I am up to the challenge. Any and all suggestions are most appreciated. I listened to your podcast the other day (in the car with your daughter
Just haven’t had a chance to respond. It was great! I hope our kids can connect!
September 15th, 2005 at 3:55 pm
Hi David,
You certainly are not speaking out of place. I hope you will keep it up as I travel this journey. I just blogged my “pre-thinking” hoping to get responses. I was having trouble creating the questions I wanted. Telling stories - it has the right feel. Thanks! I got much more than 2¢ worth to keep on thinking about!!