Talk:Empowering Learners and Teachers





Comment
As a student, math was one of my favorite subjects; however, I was part of a minority or students who fit into this category. I often wondered why this was the case. Even in my methods courses in the School of Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, many of my future colleagues doubt their abilities in math. They also seem to have anxieties associated with this subject. This idea is very disheartening to me, and I hope that future efforts made by educators will change this attitude towards mathematics.

The author discusses Piaget, and recently, I had the opportunity to listen Dr. Kamii who worked with Piaget. Dr. Kamii presented interesting and intriguing information during her session at the Midsouth conference. First, she discussed the three types of knowledge. The most difficult to understand is logical-mathematical. Previously, I had not considered this type of knowledge as difficult, but I realize this is an important piece of information to consider when teaching math. Dr. Kamii presented a video of students in a classroom who were not taught the algorithms to compute two-digit addition and subtraction. We were able to see that when students are allowed to use their own problem solving skills, they use a variety of methods to solve problems; however, “borrowing” and “regrouping” are not in any of their problem solving methods. When students are taught algorithms, they are simply taught to imitate adult thinking. As an educator, I am very passionate about teaching math, and I hope to empower students as problem solvers.

Comment - E. Mills 6/29/08
Empowering teachers is a huge issue right now, at least at my school. Teachers are so discouraged because of all the testing and "National requirements". I liked your definition of empowering versus enabling. Empowerment is giving power and authority to make decisions and enabling is to give the resources or directions to complete an assignment. In my school, teachers are leaning towards empowering students, but many times just enable them. But, what about the teachers in our schools? There is so much focus on students and what the “experts” believe are best for them, but who thinks about what is best for the teachers and works to empower them? I love the quote, “A good teacher has an impressive synergistic array of people skills, content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge. It takes natural ability, a willingness “to gladly learn and gladly teach,” a great deal of informal and formal education, and considerable experience to become a good teacher.” It does take all of those things to make a “good” teacher but even that person can get overwhelmed and burned out. My school is so full of diverse children and it is amazing to see the progress, however, it comes with great work and incredible resources/support. I do see how teachers in all areas get burned out; special education, general education, special courses, and so many others. There is so much to teach in a year and then you have to take into account all the diverse needs. I read several of the other article sections before and after this one and thought it was very interesting; looking at how teachers need to show students how to make informed decisions and empower them to be good citizens. I think EMPOWERMENT is a key to education in all forms and all areas. I teach special education and I spend each day empowering my students to become independent. I will admit that very few people bend over to empower me in my position, mostly because they do not understand.

Comment by David Moursund 1/28/08
My first years of university teaching were in mathematics and computer science. Eventually I moved into computer education and math education, and ended up with an appointment in a College of Education.

The transition into a College of Education environment was somewhat unsettling. For example, it was there that I first heard about "student-centered" education. My mind quickly rejected this as a silly idea. I thought to myself: "When I am teaching a class, isn't this a student-centered activity?"

Eventually the idea began to sink in that my teaching was not very student centered. I was a stand and deliver, self-centered, and subject matter-centered teacher.

Gradually, over the years, I have gained some insight into ideas such as the very large differences among students. I have learned about constructivism, learning styles, and learning to learn.

I have also spent quite a bit of time thinking about the idea that as we move more toward student-centered education and toward empowering students, students need to learn to take much more responsibility for their own education. I fear that what our educational system is actually doing is moving more toward student-centered education and empowering students, but not insisting that with this increased power comes increased responsibility. I see students, on average, taking less responsibility for their own education.

Comment by Dave Moursund 2/7/08
Every one in awhile a read an article that paints a picture of education being a battle or struggle between students and their teachers or students and the overall education system. Typically, the article is a discussion of some new way to "make students learn" or to "make students do their homework" or to "make students attend school" or etc. Such articles almost always leave a sour taste in my mouth. See, for example, http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/02/04/48322oktopiczappingzeros_ap.html?tmp=1033483610

Occasionally, I find an article that discusses students and their teachers working together to accomplish goals that they mutually agree on. This collaboration seems like a desirable situation to achieve.

Children are born with natural curiosity, ability to learn, and joy in learning. For many students, our current curriculum, instruction, assessment, and school rules combine to severely damage this natural curiosity and learning characteristics.

Both students and their teachers are empowered by teaching/learning environments in which students and teachers collaborating.

Letting teachers actually TEACH math is imperitive!
I think the best way to empower students in this area is by revamping the expectations placed on teachers and actually letting teachers TEACH math and apply these concepts to real life situations--not just tell the students to memorize concepts. I think the real problem with students today is that they know, for example, that 2 X 5 = 10, but do they UNDERSTAND WHY this is true. Rote memorization is not teaching yet this form of education has become the norm in school. Also, states are requiring more and more on teachers and punishing them greatly if their students do not "perform" to the standards the powers that be think should be met. This type of thinking limits the teacher in their ability to make sure students understand concepts that are being taught and actually rushes them through concepts that are important to future lessons. (We have to cover all the material before the test so our kids can do well) As students proceed with their education and students don't fully understand why a concept works, they begin to lose the ability to understand the abstract concepts found in higher math and then begin to think of themselves as “math illiterate”. We are not going to be able to have empowered learners until we stop expecting students to “learn” concepts in a week! Students need time to process their information, explore why the concepts work, and to imprint the new knowledge in their mind. By giving students time to comprehend and teachers time to make sure they comprehend the reasoning behind mathematical concepts, educational specialists would see that students have become empowered learners and teachers have become empowered teachers. Students will also become more secure in their mathematical knowledge and the whole world wins.

Karen Dailey

EMPOWERING TEACHERS - EDT630 E.Mills
Empowering teachers is a huge issue right now, at least at my school. Teachers are so discouraged because of all the testing and "National requirements". I liked your definition of empowering versus enabling. Empowerment is giving power and authority to make decisions and enabling is to give the resources or directions to complete an assignment. In my school, teachers are leaning towards empowering students, but many times just enable them. But, what about the teachers in our schools? There is so much focus on students and what the “experts” believe are best for them, but who thinks about what is best for the teachers and works to empower them? I love the quote, “A good teacher has an impressive synergistic array of people skills, content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge. It takes natural ability, a willingness “to gladly learn and gladly teach,” a great deal of informal and formal education, and considerable experience to become a good teacher.” It does take all of those things to make a “good” teacher but even that person can get overwhelmed and burned out. My school is so full of diverse children and it is amazing to see the progress, however, it comes with great work and incredible resources/support. I do see how teachers in all areas get burned out; special education, general education, special courses, and so many others. There is so much to teach in a year and then you have to take into account all the diverse needs. I read several of the other article sections before and after this one and thought it was very interesting; looking at how teachers need to show students how to make informed decisions and empower them to be good citizens. I think EMPOWERMENT is a key to education in all forms and all areas. I teach special education and I spend each day empowering my students to become independent. I will admit that very few people bend over to empower me in my position, mostly because they do not understand.