tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856623205022141820.post3339035209031289486..comments2024-01-11T01:35:24.448-06:00Comments on Nocking the Arrow: School Improvement, Is Teacher Cognition A Speed Bump Or A Roadblock?Robert T. Schuetzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11019650320469352669noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856623205022141820.post-91899858188331732502015-02-11T08:58:48.508-06:002015-02-11T08:58:48.508-06:00Hello Ben,
Always good chatting with you. I apolog...Hello Ben,<br />Always good chatting with you. I apologize if the tone of this post comes across as divisive - not my intent. I am merely acknowledging that as we work towards change and improvement in schools - we need to recognize the forces and characteristics that make change challenging, particularly for those of us with long histories in education.<br />My analogy; If I grew up playing European Football (soccer) and then spent years coaching soccer - I should have a pretty good handle on the nuances of that game. But now the game has changed to American Football. There may be some skills that transfer, but there is a strong likelihood that I will need to re-educate myself in order to be successful at the new game.<br />I think the concept of classroom, and the role of schools in education is under pressure to change with the connected times. I hope that we won't have our minds closed to change just because of a "this is the way it's always been done" mentality. Success can sometimes be misleading. Thanks again for reading and commenting. Your perspective is appreciated. BobRobert T. Schuetzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11019650320469352669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856623205022141820.post-89380538646624759512015-02-11T05:40:57.442-06:002015-02-11T05:40:57.442-06:00I am very impressed by your ability to reflect and...I am very impressed by your ability to reflect and see what appears to be something missing within your own teaching practice. I am somewhat worried, however, about the way in which we dismiss "experience" and start to see it as a liability. <br /><br />It seems as though we are fetishizing "the new" and innovative, even when we know (from research and personal experience) that the most effective teaching comes from experienced teachers.<br /><br />Now, I am not calling for a return to a traditional approach to teaching. Rather, I want to stop looking at our classrooms and veteran teachers as the barrier to change. So many are, like yourself, looking to improve each and every year. So many see that more traditional methods are not producing the same results as they once did. <br /><br />I see an "us vs. them" being created when we vilify experience and talk about an entire generation of teachers who are unwilling (or unable) to change. I don't think this gets us any closer to supporting all kids. <br /><br />Forgive me if I have misunderstood your point, however. Again, thank you for your reflection and your honesty.<br /><br />P.S. This comment is a part of the #C4C15 project. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/C4C15Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16321830892721496687noreply@blogger.com