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?

Monday, March 4, 2013

.....Asking the Wrong Question

I had to read this quote several times to understand what the author was trying to say.  When I think of my students, I recall asking them time after time, "are there any questions before I move on?"  I wait patiently, scan the room, and then move forward. The questions do not begin to roll until I assign a task, something as simple as writing three sentences based upon their understanding of the lesson that was covered for that day. I decided to try a different approach, and I began offering small rewards for asking questions.  Not only do I reward students for asking questions, I offer a reward to another student for giving the correct answer.  "Rewards" can be something simple such a bag of fruit snacks, or 5 points added to a homework assignment.  I have always been told that there is no such thing as a "dumb" question, but I digress to say that not asking questions, for lack of a better term is a little "dumb".  As a learner, it takes me a while to understand concepts, and I may have to ask a question to get clarity. I realize that my students are often teased or ridiculed when they ask questions out loud, so I placed a little box on my desk that they can drop questions in and I respond to them independently which I have found helps as well.  My belief is the more questions you ask, the more answers you receive, which adds up to the "more you know".

4 comments:

DAB said...

I can definitely relate to your thought processes related to asking questions and responses. You give a lot of thought to what is happening in your classroom. You are insightful and creative in your style. I appreciate that!

Sivad Couture said...

I concur whole heartedly!! There's always a way to go about doing things. The only thing with kids is that you have to find creative ways to approach the situtation. It's funny hearing me saying this, because I was a kid once myslef and never understood the concept of adults and how they went about doing things. You're right Akisa, no question is a dumb question in my eyes as well. We as educators have to find a way to convey to the students that it's ok to ask something you don't know. It may not always be what you ask, but how you ask it!!

Ken said...

Good job Akisa. I enjoyed your post.

Sherri said...

Akisa,
I really appreciated your blog this week and think you hit on an issue that is key to effective instruction, which is asking questions and allowing the students to answer. I think we may do a disservice to our students when we hold our questions to the end of class. Maybe the best approach is to ask questions all throughout the lesson and let that lead our course for instruction. Do we continue, or make a u-turn? Asking questions throughout may help in that decision.