CTE New Teacher Institute Forum: Open Mic

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?

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Open Mic

So I have been pondering lately if I have been too lenient on my grades. Thinking back to NTI this Summer, how Dr. Burns constructed her rubrics, and thinking back to last year where I felt my expectations, when it came to grading, might have been a little too harsh. If students miss the deadline, their grades take a hit of course (especially since it is one of my classroom expectations). Now I don't just give them full credit for just doing an assignment, but the majority of the students who do the work generally receive a good grade. When talking to other teachers, I sometimes feel like they take a much harsher approach to grades than I do. After all, it is Culinary Arts (not to degrade my subject area by any means), but I feel the students will actually LEARN the content when it is not presented in the traditional grading format. Maybe I am overthinking it, but every time grading periods come around I always wonder if I am going to be questioned because grades are "too high" overall in my classes. I just feel that some schools/administrators/teachers are too concerned with certain grading procedures/protocols rather than being concerned that the knowledge leaving their mouths is being fully received on the other end.

1 comment:

Unknown said...: I can somewhat relate to your pondering about grades. However, on the contrary, I ask myself if I am being too strict.

I have heard from several former students that the other healthcare teacher "doesn't grade hard like you," "she just gives us 100s for doing it most of the time."

As an "elective" teacher, students tend to develop the theory of taking my class as an easy A, or gimmie class. Being that I am very passionate about the healthcare industry, I expect my students to take the class seriously as I am really trying to prepare them for workforce entry. Also, students who pass my class receive both a pathway and a science credit. I often remind them that they are getting two for the price of one, so they have to put forth effort.

I believe you have to find what works best for you as well as the students, stick to that, and not become too concerned about being compared with other teachers or classes. You also don't want a lot of kids who may not be interested in culinary arts just signing up to take your class because of your lenience.

Good luck, and happy grading.; October 16, 2016 at 8:46:00 PM EDT