We wrapped up our presentations last week at Dr. Summer's home. It was really exciting and empowering to see everyone pull their philosophies together with the research questions. The "recital" (I call it that!) was really fun and it was exciting presenting not only to each other but to members of EEF, Eanes ISD, and our new professors.
So, we started fresh this week with 2 new classes and 2 new teachers. Our first class of the day starts with Dr. Bos and is "Strategies and Models for Teachers". This class seems to be a rehash of our undergraduate studies on teaching strategies. It remains to be seen how this class will tie to our research project. Its only day 2 as I post this; but the class is really different than our time with Dr. Summers.
So far, I have learned to outline each chapter according its objectives. This means that the textbook outlines the framework of the class. According to the syllabus for the class, we will go chapter 1 to chapter 2 to chapter 3, so the textbook is the frame for each day's work.
For some in the class, this is a good thing because it is a "blow-off" class. For me, I feel it is a cheat in a way because I can outline a textbook pretty well on my own without having to pay a university for the opportunity. I hope there will be more "meat" in this class and that it isn't a repeat of Foundations for Educators that I took back in 1994 as part of my undergrad degree plan.
On the more positive side, we are learning examples of group strategies through our day-to-day activities. So far it looks like each day's chapter will be taught by Dr. Bos using a different strategy. The first day's strategy was direct instruction. Today's strategy used the Jigsaw II method. Tomorrow....well I will be on pins and needles waiting ;). In a week or two, we will each have to present a lesson using one teaching model. Whee!
So then we all break for an hour lunch before meeting with Dr. Bond for Action Research.
Yesterday we learned about him and he learned about us by using a method to move us around the room. Certain sections of the room were designated as letters A-D and then questions were asked where we had to pick an answer and group ourselves together in that area. For example, the question could be about our favorite type of food: A. American, B. Italian, C. Mexican, D. Other (like Chinese which was my choice). If your answer was A, B, or C - you moved to that location where A, B, or C was located. It was a fun activity and we learned even more about each other in the PTEP program.
Dr. Bond's class is tied to our research problem. He is going to help us with the ACTION part of our research - taking it to the next level and creating the tools and instruments to gather our data. Something in my notes I wrote about this class was Dr. Bond's reassurances that we all need "time to ponder". Teachers aren't given time to read something and then digest that information. He really stressed the need to teachers to ponder and discuss research items.
Key issues in day one were figuring out the purpose of action research and defining what AR really is. Today, we read two articles from action researchers and compared them to readings we did in Dr. Summer's classes. This activity today really soothed everyone by pointing out that not all action research is so scholarly or academic. I think we have all been thinking that our research has to look so professional that we have been stressing out over it all.
Today, we read two different qualitative articles that were completely different. We learned about flexibility in writing and that some action research articles are very personal and not affecting a generalized population. This was exciting to see and discuss. We also discussed the idea of "academia" and how there is a gap between research and classroom practice.
I believe the idea that Dr. Bond discussed about how there are some academians who are interested in bridging the gap between research and practice was very inspiring. It was really good discussion and we defined action research ourselves based on contributions by each class member about what we thought Action Research stood for. I have a definition that lists over 12 different characteristics we used to define how action research looks to us.
Can you say "dichotomy"? Can you see how these two classes are completely different based on just my description? Perhaps other students would like to comment....
I think I have written enough and probably mashed some toes. Classmates, do you have anything to add?
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3 comments:
I cannot believe that we have finished six hours of program already. The first summer session with Dr. Summers came to an abrupt end for me. The presentations were so complete. The philosophy, the book reading and our research project all coming together in a 10 minute or less presentation. I was fighting emotions as I related to a poster my aunt had painted for me when I was fourteen years old.
The second session started with us waiting to get in the room. It was so appropriate. We all had a good laugh as we were standing there waiting and reminiscing about our tour to find the classroom. :-)
The classes the past two days have been so different from the first session but that is to be expected as we have new professors.
The review of the strategies and models for teachers is good to go over, but I am trying to make the connection to our research question still.
I am looking forward to working with Dr. Bos personally because of the research she has undertaken. I am sure no one will be surprised to hear that she is very interested in technology in the classroom.
The Eggen book seems very complete and straightforward in the descriptions of each strategy and model.
The lunch break is a good time to decompress and continue to get to know each other. It allows us to time to discuss the classes, our projects and who has the best lunch.
I think Dr. Bond is a secret agent teacher. Time seems to fly by as we participate in the class discussion. He seems to make very difficult concepts very easy to understand and less intimidating. The articles we read and discussed seemed very straightforward. Simple and to the point, what a novel idea in a article about research.
His discussion today of academia today was very informative. The light went on today in my head as to why Eanes and Texas State are so excited about this partnership. We are going to help drive academia into the classroom of our community.
In two days of class, Dr. Bond has given us tools to take back to the classroom. Location quiz, knowledge rating chart, basic lesson plan comparison and looping PowerPoint are some simple tools he has given us.
Ten more articles for our outline. EEECH! But he also said that we needed time to ponder. What a novel idea. How many times have I gone to a workshop or even read something that challenged my current belief system or teaching pratices only to forget about it. The time to ponder and think is so important.
Why do we as teachers never have the time to ponder and collaborative with our cohorts?
I think this is one of the greatest aspects of the small size of the PTEP. We get to talk and discuss ideas we have heard throughout the day. Ideas moving like a bouncing ping pong ball.
Ping Pong anyone?
As we enter Day 4 of session 2, I can't believe how many things are coming together for the construction of my knowledge. My car pool buddy and I both wondered if taking Dr. Bond's class first might have been more beneficial--it is more the recipe of what we are to begin cooking within our classrooms this fall. I am really enjoying Dr. Bond's class and through our discussions and the text I am making concrete connections to research design, my own question and our philosophical ideas.
Dr. Bos teaching style is very different than what we had before and it reminds me of parent comments I often get at the beginning of the year, "well, you are not like Ms. So and So and they are having a hard time adjusting." So I am attempting to give our new professor the benefit of the doubt and after so many years in the classroom, I know it is not hurting me to revisit and reconsider my teaching strategies--after all who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? I feel so challenged and stimulated each day with our colllegial dialogues and I know this exchange in itself is an education--you are the tops perfect ten!
I am starting to see the connection between the two classes by way of Dr. Bond's teaching. There is definitely a connection there concerning strategies for teaching and the strategies for developing our action research.
I think if Dr. Bos had been available during the planning of the PTEP program; she would have a better connection with the flow of the class. It still feels "undergraduate" to us but the content is matching ideas in Dr. Bond's class.
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