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?

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Lesson Taught Well 9/20 - Ethics/Patient Rights

This week I taught a lesson on ethics and started with a sponge that asked the students to write 6 -8 sentences related to their parents dying wishes and/or desires. The students started muttering almost immediately about the fact they do not think about dying and they do not talk about it. “Who wants to think about dying” was one of the statements. (I felt I had made a terrible mistake with that sponge!) I challenged them to create the sentences based on the small pieces of information they remembered about someone in their family, or that was said in someone else’s family to get them started. I circled the room, read their sponges and highlighted words related to wishes and desires. I thought this class was not going to work; however, as I had the student call out the words underlined in their sponges (i.e. pain free, peace, and family getting along) the students were able to transition into the parts of a living will and the importance of healthcare workers respecting the dying wishes of others.

I had a student who was emotional because of recent deaths in her family. (I had to provide personal comfort…this class was a bomb!…my thought). We were able to work through the process that this class is more about living well, dying with dignity and having all family members feel good about the decisions they make and having no regrets/no guilt. The students asked questions and we decided as a group to make it a homework assignment to ask their parents using an example copy. Death and dying is always a hard topic even with adults. However, because of the laws governing patient’s rights, the question “do you have a living will or durable power of attorney?” is asked when a person is admitted to the hospital and many people have stated , in my experience, “you must think I’m going to die”. I had a visitor in class during this session and she shared that because of a certain situation in her life, she has a durable power of attorney in place. The visitor in my class stated she “loved the class” and felt I had helped the students understand the reasons for a living will on their level and made it something important to do while everyone is feeling well and in good health.

1 comment:

Kevin D said...

I believe as teachers we have to be honest with our students, and that includes dealing with uncomfortable topics. Some families do not have the communication skills to talk about tough topics. Our classrooms are often the students first time hearing and having to think about tough issues. I'd rather make the students feel a little uncomfortable, than having them walking around life with blinders on. Great Lesson!