CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Serious Mistakes vs. Wrong Questions

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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?

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Serious Mistakes vs. Wrong Questions

“The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong question.” After thinking on this for a while, I believe that what he meant here is that the answers that students give, are often based on the information received from the teacher. If the teacher is putting out inaccurate information followed by asking students the wrong questions, how can anyone expect the student(s) to give a correct and accurate answer. It simply can't be done. This can be related to the ole saying: "Practice Doesn't Make Perfect - Perfect Practice Makes Perfect"! If you practice something the wrong way, the end result will be wrong! You may be able to do the task "Perfectly" but Perfectly Wrong! However, if you practice the task perfectly, the end result will be a perfect task. In short, the teacher controls the learning environment and what students ultimately learn whether right or wrong.

2 comments:

Ken said...: I agree with your post and would like to add that outside influences add to how a question is perceived and therefore the answer.Culture plays a huge part in perceptions and how we learn.
As always I enjoyed your post.; March 9, 2013 at 7:44:00 PM EST
Unknown said...: Leonard,
Your post reminds me of a driver's education teacher I once had. Although none of us had a license, some of the instructions that were given to us really made no sense at all. Even looking back, I think we asked the right questions. However, he could not understand what we were trying to say although it was said several different ways. He could also not give an explanation as to why he gave us the instructions he did. Maybe he was just sticking to his guns or maybe he didn't have a clue. Either way, he developed a reputation for not being very competent. I'm sure he was a great driver himself, just had a little difficulty in giving instructions with valid explanation. I could be wrong, but, I'm still not sure why you would look over your left shoulder on a 2 lane when making a left hand turn. We asked did he mean look in the rear view or side mirrors, but he was pretty stuck on you turning your head and body and took off points if it was not done. This move almost caused an accident on more than one occasion. I guess you can perfectly practice this move and still be okay....if you make it.; March 10, 2013 at 12:26:00 AM EST