C4T Chosen By Dr. Strange - April

Dean Shareski at Ideas and Thoughts

Week #9
When Sharing goes Bad, Pithy Quote Fetish and Kids These Days

Dean writes about an image that has been shared on Twitter. The image is of two photos: the first being boys playing ball in the street after school and the second being three kids sitting on a couch with each looking at their own laptop. He writes about how this photo is to promote technology as a negative thing, because he also states that if in the second photo, the kids had books in their hands then the photo would be seen in a positive way. He goes on to state that books are actually more isolating than technology.

I commented that I agree that in both photos that the kids are socializing, but what bothers me is the lack of physical activity in socializing using technology.


Week #10
Who Owns the Data?

Dean writes about students needing more ownership in the assessment part of learning. He believes that students should have a say in the assessment of their learning, and that if a student truly owns their learning they will be hesitant to hand it over unless they have a say in how it is assessed.

I commented that I agree, and if we want students to take more responsibility in their learning in order to become lifelong learners, they need to have a part in the whole process, from the essential question to assessment.


Week #11
Teachers as Artists

Dean writes about how teaching is often called a science but he argues that it is more of an art. He states that artists are seen as performers sharing their work with an audience whereas scientists tend to work in closed labs isolated until they discover something and then publish their work, but often focusing on precision and perfection.

I commented that I agree that there is some science to teaching but it is definitely more of an art that is more developed over time with experience. I gave an example of teachers that tried flipping their classroom using the teacher down the hall's videos. These teachers reported that this way of "flipping" didn't work for them because the students complained that they didn't like watching the other teacher, but they wanted to be taught from their teacher. I referenced another comment that stated an artist has a connection with their audience and that these students didn't have the connection with the other teacher.