Blogs for math/science teachers

 Ms Frizzle- This is a blog written by a Science teacher who lives in NY. She has a whole list of resources on her blog.

Maths Teacher Mambo A blog written by a 9th year high school maths teacher

Both blogs have interest for all teachers as well as heaps of links to other teaching/learning blogs

2:27 PM - May 29, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

VELS paradigm shift

The first meeting I went to about VELS, the speaker said something like we have to change from individual teachers teaching a team of students to teams of teachers, teaching individual students. I felt this meant we could meet across curriculum and discuss individual students and their needs. I think it would be great if (as secondary teachers) we met with all the people in the school involved with a class even if it was once a term and discussed individuals and mapped what each class was learning.

I envisioned teachers meeting in the physical homerooms and discussing and sharing what the class was doing with them and individual strengths and weaknesses. As a team we could plan the room's environment and attempt to cater to individual needs, share insights into students and work together to work out the best outcomes. I hoped this could involve curriculum leaders as well as pastoral leaders.  If meetings became too hard to organise, perhaps a email list or some way of communicating could be worked out.

I have been thinking about it some more though and I guess maybe this is my perspective because I teach English and Contact, so therefore only 3 classes. I would only have to be involved with three discussions. When I finally thought about it a little more, I realised that some teachers don't enjoy as much contact with a class as I do so a different system would need to be devised. I don't have all the answers, that's for sure but I think that if we continue to only have conversations in subject area's or year levels and not centered on individual classes or students we are missing the point.

10:12 AM - February 25, 2006 - comments {1} - post comment

Journalling

Blogs are like online journals. Most are open to anyone who could be bothered reading them. I believe they would be useful in the classroom. There is much written about the educational value of blogging as well as the shortcomings. I'll add some links one day soon.

I am finding my classes this year are mostly enjoying their journalling.

Here are a couple of web pages that may be of interest:

From the ABC 'The Book Show" on ABC Radio National

Ann McCulloch and John Wolseley: The Art of the Notebook

This site contains both a written transcript as well as a recording to listen to.

100 Benefits of Journalling

PS:I began a "VELS" blog last year that was restricted to a small group of teachers who jumped through the administrivia hoops and managed to get themselves onto it. It dried up and I got tired of hoping to read other's comments. So this year I am going to open it to anyone who is interested and not have a closed membership, for ease of access. See how this goes.

12:24 PM - February 14, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment