Need techniques for moving kids around the classroom, information on how to cold call properly or tips on how to set higher expectations? These 5 short videos (all about 1 minute long) will give you some ideas. I was impressed by the teachers pictured - actual teachers filmed performing tasks with their actual classes. These ideas certainly do not exhaust all possibilities, but they are a great way to start thinking about how to improve certain classroom techniques. I especially love the idea of reading aloud and having kids follow along, but I am concerned that at a high school level, kids who struggle with reading would be embarrassed by this kind of calling technique. Maybe I will try it next year.
The videos were linked to an article from the New York Times Magazine, entitled Building a Better Teacher. The article, though long, had some great insight into some of the problems with struggling schools today and sought answers to the growing problem of how to improve the quality of teachers. Check it out when you have a minute!
These videos are very interesting. It's sort of like watching a sport and learning things from color commentators. Of course, it's not quite the same thing, but it reminds me of the time that I watched a video explaining Phil Jackson's triangle offense. Once they point out how things work (that an untrained person normally wouldn't notice), I have a new appreciation for it. That's sort of how I felt when I saw the videos.
The one where the teacher just saying questions out loud about geometric shapes amazed me in particular. I am pretty good at math, and yet I am not sure if I would've blanked if put on the spot like that.
Posted by: Kelvin Kao | 03/05/2010 at 06:48 AM
Yes, that particular video amazed me too! I couldn't believe the students were able to respond so quickly and did so readily. It just goes to show what having high expectations for kids can do.
Posted by: Teacher's Diary | 03/06/2010 at 07:29 PM