Professional Development Video

The professional development video that I chose to watch was titled, Educational Change Challenge.  In the beginning of the video the narrator stated something about 25 students sitting in a classroom with one adult and if that was the best way for them to be educated.  I think he meant that experiential learning needs to be taking place more than what it is.  However, I began to ponder and I do not think having 25 students to one adult is best for their learning either, but our state/government obviously do not care because they keep taking more and more funding away.  So, how can that be solved?  Class sizes need to be smaller if we are considering the best way for a child to be educated, but that is the last thing that will happen.  During the intersession the first week of spring break, I had 7 kids in my group and we got a ton done.  I felt like I knew where and when they were going to struggle or succeed.  My class sizes on a normal school day are small too, but only because I am in the special education department.  The other classes have much bigger groupings.  Class sizes keep getting larger every year, which means the rooms are getting smaller and it falls on the one adult to meet every child's needs.  Cutting school funding every year tells me they could care less about education and what is happening in the classroom daily.  This could easily turn into a whole other posting as I am sure all of you have your feelings on the issue, but that is another time.

The video narrator made a comment that I think applies to every teacher either one way or the other.  He stated, "Am I preparing students for my age or their age."  I have never heard that, but I think it stands out.  I think technology is a huge part of this statement.  I will say that I am up to date technology wise on what is available, but I do not always know how to use it.  If I start to use it and it malfunctions the likelihood of me using the technology again is slim to none.  I am just like my dad when it comes to that type of stuff.  I am all for new technology here and there, but when it doesn't work it makes you not want to use it or be able to depend on it.  I use technology everyday in my classroom, but not as much with my students hands on.  I need to do a better job of that, because they are going to be the ones growing up with it. 

Resources:
History Channel/Discovery Channel
 - This is a great addition to reading non-fiction novels, articles, etc.  
 - Easy for students to navigate