Please reply to this entry with some thoughts on Brian Schultz's presentation last week. Did anything particularly impress you? What do you think about the ways he integrates technology? Did you discover any ideas that you might bring into your own classroom?
I met my NLU students at Apple's Michigan Avenue store tonight for class. I designed a scavenger hunt for my students and Scott Murphy did a presentation on the iLife suite of software in the theatre.
When I arrived at the store, several students were already there. And, they had figured out how to do video chats already! I had told them on Tuesday that creating a video chat would be one of the requirements of the scavenger hunt. So I was impressed that they had already done this by the time I arrived on the scene. Their enthusiasm got me pumped for the field trip in general!
At the beginning of the theatre presentation, Scott asked our group what their impressions were of Apple. And, the usual comments were discussed... Apple products are more expensive.... not pervasive in the business community... etc. By the end of the presentation, I think the group fully understood about what makes Apple stuff so unique. Scott was a trooper and spend way more time than I expected lead
Comments
Overall, Brian's presentation was an inspiration to me. To me, it illustrated how one teacher and his/her group of students can make a difference....even if they do not succeed, they (the teacher and students) can know they at least tried. And success never comes those who don't try!
~Lisa Krejcik
Katie
It was really great to see a teacher who turns the concerns of his students into a a learning tool. I wasn't convinced, however that his lack of a curriculum was a good idea. He is a unique teacher that can inspire his students and keep them motivated but his techniques won't work for everyone. I did notice the Saxon Math books in his classroom which tell me that there was at least some curricular instruction going on in the classroom.
Why would you let students give themselves a grade in Math?
The essays that we viewed in class were so great and also heartbreaking. But what was truly great was the transformation the students' writing went through as the year progressed. Just seeing the differences in the different formats the students began to use as their writing improved was really incredible.
Although he did come across like some of what he did was "no big deal" and just part of the job, I think the excitement he showed when he talked about the students proved that he was very proud. He showed such a joy for teaching and I hope that when I begin teaching I can have the same effect on my students. He was definitely an inspiration to me as a future teacher and I hope I can have the same impact on children's lives.
After seeing what he did with his class, it really made me want to learn more about the collaboratory. I have been having some problems with this. I'm just not totally understanding how it works. I know it will take some playing around to fully understand how it works, and some day (hopefully soon) it will all make perfect sense. Right now, I'm just not getting the big picture. I think this has everything to do with missing the first couple of weeks of class.
When we had said to Brian - wow! This is really cool stuff you've done with your class, his response was - I didn't do it! They did! And, I understand his response, but in another way, it is difficult to just let go - and let the students take the control. (Having students write their own report cards was a little over the wall for me...) We are always hearing how students need structure - and from how he defined his day, it sounds like there was very little structure in his room.
Trish Flaa
Posted by AG
My struggle comes when I think about implementing the strategies that Brian used. I'm still processing the discussion from class and the theories he professes to use. I guess my hesitation to fully embrace the ways he teaches is from my continuing search for what our education system should accomplish. What core knowledge does each person need to function in society, if any? It seems that for Brian, this would mean anything that is of interest. Maybe not. But, I wonder whether the students learned much about social studies from the past, beyond the Constitution. I wonder about the science content that was taught.
What I did take away was a renewed vigor to create units that are more diversive in how and what the students learn. It was great to listen to him, and it was great to hear from someone who is practicing what he believes. Reminds me of Julia Roberts in Mona Lisa's smile. Inspiring and thought-provoking!
In Room 405, since December, the entire course curriculum is devoted to one project and one goal -- document the terrible disrepair and lack of facilities of the school and build community, state and national support for a new school!
Their teacher, Brian Schultz, said he asked the 19 students in this class, all African-Americans from low-income families, what they wanted to work on. They replied "our school." Reading, writing and arithmetic -- they learn those and much more through this one single, expanding mission.
Their attendance rate is 98 percent and coming from a part of Chicago rife with drugs, street violence, gang activity, physical deterioration and unemployment, this is testimony to their interest and Brian's commitment. They design each part of their research and action strategy. They learn how to do surveys, write different letters of support from politicians, community leaders and from their own peers.
Brian had his students list 89 "problems that affect our community and us." Project Citizen, as they call their initiative, then zeroed in on their school -- no stage or auditorium, rest rooms dirty and broken, no lunch room etc. They learned how to take photos of what they verbally describe. They each wrote a description of their school.
Together they put together the comprehensive Action Plan. Their self-confidence and maturity are growing. They sense that they have started a process of change
Brian has done a wonderful job of instilling a sense of "I can do it" with a letter from Vice President Cheney to continue to instill that feeling.
DAS
Antonia Saldana
Antonia Saldana
I am glad that I had the opportunity to come to your class and share the journey I was on with my students in Room 405. I appreciate the feedback and wish you all good luck with your teaching endeavors.
Brian Schultz