Master Learners 08/22/2010
 

  Welcome to the first blog posting at Master Learners.  I hope you’ll find some of my thoughts and ideas intriguing or interesting from time to time.  The website and blog came to be called Master Learners as a result of two things.  One, as a teacher and Curriculum Director I’ve been called upon to give presentations to teachers concerning educational topics and issues.  During my interactions with various teachers, I could quickly see that educators were falling into one of two categories.  The folks who thought they’d taught long enough to know all they needed to know and those who were eager to learn and share new ideas.  Naturally the best sessions were with the participants in the latter group.  It made me think of students who may come into our classes falling into one of those categories.  In either scenario, whether it’s a teacher or student who may feel that there’s nothing new to learn, I wonder, “How can we break through this wall and create engaged learners?”  And “What happened to these folks that disillusioned them or made them think or feel that there’s nothing new?” 

A couple years ago, during a presentation we were discussing posting lesson objectives for students in the classroom; a simple enough gesture that reaps many rewards.  After discussing the positive effectives of posting objectives, one teacher said that it was one thing that she would absolutely not do.  She felt like she was bombarded with change and being asked to do too much.  I asked her, “This is where you draw the line?  You will not post lesson objectives for your students?  Of all the things, you’ve been asked to change and do; THIS fundamental thing is where you have chosen to draw the line? “She said, “Absolutely.”   After the session, a few of her colleagues came up and apologized for her thinking and explained that she was a 20+ year teaching veteran and was about to retire.  So, how do we change the thinking of a teacher who feels that their methods are the only way?  As a teacher I know the stress involved in teaching and understand the feeling that you just cannot take one more thing coming your way.  Still, I felt sad for her students.  Students deserve a teacher who is open to new ideas and who wants to learn new things.  What better example for learning than for a student to observe their teacher learning?

On the flipside of that scenario, have you ever observed a student who was an eager learner, but was given a label for being smart or a pleaser just because they want to learn? The sad thing is that it sometimes continues into adulthood when these people are teachers.  Many times the educators that are considered go-getters, who stay abreast of new ideas and topics in education, receive raised eyebrows by their peers. I have to wonder why.  In reality, isn’t that the teacher you would want teaching your child?  The teacher who is passionate about education and stays on top of the latest educational developments, and works hard to ensure that each child learns?

Teachers are in a tough spot right now. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place.  (Check out this editorial cartoon shared by Ryan Bretag.)  We must stand and support one another and help each other succeed. We can’t allow the outside influences to kill OUR passion for learning, or worse, our joy in teaching.

The second influence of the name of this website came from Will Richardson, who has written in his blog, Web-blogged, about the role of teachers and refers to the educators that are proactive learners as Master Learners.  I agree with his thought: “Teachers are learners. If they’re not, they shouldn’t be teachers.”

So the intention behind the creation of the Master Learners website and its Facebook page is to foster the idea that teachers can create a learning experience for themselves.  They can continue to grow intellectually and learn about things that interest them athat they can pass along to their students.  It takes baby steps, if you want to become or continue to be a learner, this website and FB page could be your baby step in that direction.  Who knows where it could lead?  In this century when the world is at our fingertips with the Internet, Web 2.0 tools and collaboration so readily available to all of us, it’s the perfect storm for teachers to become Master Learners.  I’ll continue on with the Master Learners thread in the next post.  Until then, if you would like to receive updates about technology or educational websites, ideas or thoughts on the Master Learners Facebook page, just click Like.


 


Comments

Angie
08/22/2010 9:26pm

Very informative blog. I look forward to reading more. When a teacher stops learning they stop teaching.

Reply



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