“So what is wrong with the way we are teaching now?”
This was the sentiment expressed by some of my fellow teachers during a one-day reading workshop that I presented along with another colleague. Of course, we had to assure them that we were there to add to the knowledge bank and not replace their ideas.
Just trying to complete a syllabus does not mean that we are teaching effectively. As teachers, we have a responsibility to develop problem solvers and critical thinkers and our traditional methods of teaching are simply not enough to accomplish these things.
Some teachers fall into the trap of teaching reading skills in isolation but, it is important to show connections among the strands because it makes learning more meaningful when children see patterns.
In addition to the ‘Fabulous Five’ reading skills that we know about ( phonics,phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency ),Tankersley (2003) adds a sixth strand, “higher-order thinking”. One of the ways to achieve higher –order thinking among our students is to allow them opportunities to use technology to learn to read. The Web 2.0 technology that we have been exposed to in this course allows greater collaboration, exploration, feedback and independent learning and they are ideal tools to enhance traditional pedagogy. According to Pressley (1998), the “most effective teachers continue to demonstrate that effective literacy instruction is a balance of explicit teaching as well as holistic reading and writing experiences”.
Hi Denise, remember change is a slow or gradual process. Individuals don't like leaving their comfort zone so they will resist change. Try to give each person the opportunity to own the idea and eventually everyone will buy into the ideas.
ReplyDeleteHi Jogie,
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with you that change does not happen overnight, I feel that fear due to ignorance has a great part to play in people’s resistance to change. I want to share an experience with you that might explain how important it is for people to learn about technology. A relative of mine does not want to learn how to use the ABM machine. He says it is too complicated. So every month, another member of the family has to do the transaction for him. Can you imagine the consequences if that person is dishonest?
I believe that some individuals tend to think that technology is something difficult to use but, after doing this course, I think we can safely say that it is just a matter of understanding what is out there and how to use it. Reading about technology and becoming more acquainted with it will certainly help us to become more comfortable in the technological zone and help us to step out of the ‘comfort zone.’