This article, by Grant Wiggins, discusses what a former teacher learned while shadowing students for 2 days. After the experience the training coach had several takeaways from the experience. One take away was that students sit a lot and that can be tiring. It may seem counter-intuitive, but not getting up and moving around can be tiring for someone, students included. Another takeaway was that in 90% of classes, students listen passively. Instead of participating in learning, students just take notes and listen to the teacher instruct. A third take away, was that the former teacher wishes he could go back and show more empathy for students, such as when they ask questions that have already been answered.
I think my school site is a mix of being similar and different to the school the coach shadowed students at. Many of the classes at my school site are more student centered, but there are other classes that are not. I think most schools are a mix of different teaching styles. I do feel there are more teacher who have implemented many of the suggestions from this article at my current site than on average.
In terms of my beliefs about education, I agree with most of the article. I agree with the main points, but I think a few of the solutions may result in the same form of rigidness as what the author is seeking to end (the traditional direct instruction model). For example, though he suggests setting a timer where the teacher cannot talk for more than 10 minutes at a time, there may be a situation or time where more than 10 minutes is needed. In the end, I think you have to adapt to the situations as they come up. The spirit of the article, one of reflecting upon areas of improvement for the future, is one which I admire.
I think my school site is a mix of being similar and different to the school the coach shadowed students at. Many of the classes at my school site are more student centered, but there are other classes that are not. I think most schools are a mix of different teaching styles. I do feel there are more teacher who have implemented many of the suggestions from this article at my current site than on average.
In terms of my beliefs about education, I agree with most of the article. I agree with the main points, but I think a few of the solutions may result in the same form of rigidness as what the author is seeking to end (the traditional direct instruction model). For example, though he suggests setting a timer where the teacher cannot talk for more than 10 minutes at a time, there may be a situation or time where more than 10 minutes is needed. In the end, I think you have to adapt to the situations as they come up. The spirit of the article, one of reflecting upon areas of improvement for the future, is one which I admire.