Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Most Important

The most important thing I've learned in the past term/year is instructing our students requires respect of both parties. The students will test the boundaries, Even our most trusted students will try to get away with something. Some of the things they will try will amaze us, not for what they may gain, but that they will chance the consequences for something so unlikely. We would all like our students to like us, but our students must respect us in order to instruct them. Correction is essential. The methods are all that should vary. Each action causes a consequence, be fair, but always be consistant. We must remember adults will let you down, so it follows the students will occasionally do the same. They are not our friends, but our wards. we are here to lead. We lead by example, consistancy, and dedication. They fall, and we start again. This is not personal, this is not a game. What we do, and how we respond will follow our students for a lifetime.

2 comments:

Dr. M said...

Hi, Ken - one of your best posts, and you've had many. Hard to pick my favorite part, but maybe where you recognize that we are not our students' friend, but much more. That is sometimes difficult to realize, especially for younger teachers. Very well said.

Linda G said...

I so agree with you Ken. I see far too many teachers trying to get the students to like them, but in exchange something is lost. I see this in my own children. We have 3 teenage daughters and when I find myself becoming more like them, yes it is fun...but the attitude begins. They lose respect for me until I set boundaries again. There will always be times when we as teachers want to grow closer to our students,but we also need to remember that they are our students as well.