CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Work smarter not harder.....

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, March 16, 2013

Work smarter not harder.....

I know you have heard that before. "Work smarter not harder". I sit here looking at a laundry basket full of index cards each student has done as an assignment and think why do I do this to my self? I have some great meaning full projects but grading them takes way too much time. I do understand why so many teachers " covet" the scantron machine. It's takes no time to grade and record tests that way. However it's pretty hard to mix it up and assess different levels of blooms taxonomy if you only do scranton type assessments. Time management is still such a challenge for me.

4 comments:

Unknown said...: I agree with you! I too have a laundry basket full of things to grade and wonder will I ever see the bottom of it again or ever use it for its original purpose. (smiling) I have forgone the scantron trap myself todate and understand the temptation. I often fall behind the time management part of grading and seem to be always dragging something home every night to grade or create. I hear from fellow teachers that I will have a system down after I have been teaching about three years. That seems so far away! So, here I sit tonight grading journals in order to have grades in by the Monday deadline. Oh, and I really do have to do laundry too. Can I borrow a basket?; March 16, 2013 at 9:16:00 PM EDT
Brandon said...: Time management is a tough part of the job. Now in my second year I feel that I have adapted a few techniques to improve my grading practices, but still find myself behind when it is time to submit grades. My wife, a teacher for 5 years, still complains about grading and getting it done on time, so I am not sure how much hope there is! I agree that in order to meet the demands and to push the students to think on higher levels we have to use assessment techniques that go beyond simple multiple choice, and scantrons.; March 17, 2013 at 10:27:00 AM EDT
Unknown said...: Yes, time management and grading papers have definitely been two of the biggest challenges that I've faced since I have begun my teaching journey. I feel like I am constantly in search of a definitive answer to the age-old question, "How do you get it all done?" Unfortunately, I have yet to find an answer. There always seems to be a mountain of assignments waiting to be graded, and just when it seems like I am just about to get caught up, something new comes up. I'm glad that someone feels my pain!; March 17, 2013 at 9:57:00 PM EDT
Sivad Couture said...: I absolutely love the "Work Smarter and Not Harder" concept. I agree with you DAB!! Grading papers was not my forte when I was a long term, until my department chair helped me with transferring everything to scantron. I was totally amazed when all of a sudden, I had an extra two hours of sleep. Time management is a GREAT GREAT concept when being a teacher. It helps the day to go by smoother and faster. I couldn't agree with you more.; March 18, 2013 at 10:49:00 AM EDT