After my initial shock, I started to actually think that this policy was good, because it meant that my school was not dealing with the distraction of cell phones in the classroom. This is something that I heard some of my colleagues struggling with in different schools, so it is nice to have the administrative support against the use of cell phones in class. Furthermore, because the punishment is so strict, cell phones are mostly not a problem.
However, when they are a problem, I think, in the end, the punishment is too strict. I don't like the underlying idea of suspending students from schools anyway, so I think that a better solution might be for only 1-day suspension or taking away the student's cell phone.
Today, a student was suspended for the second time for using his cell phone. Six days out of school suspension for the two incidences is only setting up the student for failure, in my opinion. Moreover, no tolerance policies don't allow for special circumstances either...
I do agree that students shouldn't be using cell phones in class unless if the use is for an educational purpose, and I do agree that the policy about it needs to be strong enough to be effective, yet I still hold to my opinion that 3 days is too long to be suspended.
Also, I am curious to know what other people think about this who are at WMHS?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saying hello in German
This is a cool resource that I learned about in my German class! You can find out more at http://www.clip2go.com/
I think that this would really useful if I ever do teach German...
I think that this would really useful if I ever do teach German...
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
No Tolerance Policy on Cell Phones
Some schools have a no tolerance policy on cell phones. This means that if a student's cell phone is seen or heard during class, they are automatically suspended. Even if the student is completely on task, and their phone rings in their bag, it is automatic suspension.
At first, this policy shocked me for several reasons. First of all, it seemed really harsh, because I don't know how I feel about students missing school for perhaps an honest mistake, particularly when it seems that sometimes even teachers can not keep their cell phones from ringing at inappropriate times. Secondly, it made me realize how the possibilities of using cell phones for educational purposes in a public school would not be an easy task. I think that using technology for educational purposes is something that most teachers would agree is a good thing, however I don't think that many teachers are in fact acting on it.
On the other hand, cell phones can be a huge distraction for students and perhaps if it keeps them from being distracted that is a good thing. I know that I can definitely be distracted by having a computer in front of me during class. That being said, I often think that even if I didn't have a computer, I would still probably be distracted by something else. When I was in high school, hardly any one had cell phones, and I don't think that most phones could even text. That being said, that definitely did not stop me from communicating with my peers in class by passing notes :)
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out once school starts. Yet, I could understand a harsh punishment for a student blatantly using their cell phone in your class, but if it just happens to ring while in their bag, who can say that they have never made that mistake?
At first, this policy shocked me for several reasons. First of all, it seemed really harsh, because I don't know how I feel about students missing school for perhaps an honest mistake, particularly when it seems that sometimes even teachers can not keep their cell phones from ringing at inappropriate times. Secondly, it made me realize how the possibilities of using cell phones for educational purposes in a public school would not be an easy task. I think that using technology for educational purposes is something that most teachers would agree is a good thing, however I don't think that many teachers are in fact acting on it.
On the other hand, cell phones can be a huge distraction for students and perhaps if it keeps them from being distracted that is a good thing. I know that I can definitely be distracted by having a computer in front of me during class. That being said, I often think that even if I didn't have a computer, I would still probably be distracted by something else. When I was in high school, hardly any one had cell phones, and I don't think that most phones could even text. That being said, that definitely did not stop me from communicating with my peers in class by passing notes :)
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how this all plays out once school starts. Yet, I could understand a harsh punishment for a student blatantly using their cell phone in your class, but if it just happens to ring while in their bag, who can say that they have never made that mistake?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Reading and Technology
Yesterday, in our Literacy class, we discussed the pros and cons of reading online, which stemmed from the New York Times artice: Literacy Debate: Online, R U Really Reading?. I had watched the video A Family of Readers mostly, because I enjoy the New York Times videos, and it was easier than reading the article... (Uh-oh! What does that say about my online reading.)
Anyway, in class I thought that a really good point was made that any reading is good reading, especially if it is making reading more enjoyable for young people. Also, I think that reading online can help to expose the reader to many different sources on many different topic with relatively little effort.
However, that being said, I am wary sometimes of reading online, because the source could be totally whack or it could encourage bad writing. Working in a school, I encountered several papers that were written as if they were texting the essay to a friend. Yet, perhaps with the exposure to both online reading and hardcore literature they can hopefully better determine what is good writing and what is a valid source.
On a side note, how do I post a video on my blog?
Anyway, in class I thought that a really good point was made that any reading is good reading, especially if it is making reading more enjoyable for young people. Also, I think that reading online can help to expose the reader to many different sources on many different topic with relatively little effort.
However, that being said, I am wary sometimes of reading online, because the source could be totally whack or it could encourage bad writing. Working in a school, I encountered several papers that were written as if they were texting the essay to a friend. Yet, perhaps with the exposure to both online reading and hardcore literature they can hopefully better determine what is good writing and what is a valid source.
On a side note, how do I post a video on my blog?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Row or Not to Row
This April, I started a new sport... Rowing! I was never the athletic type (sometime I would skip PE in high school to go to the library). Anyway, it has been both really fun and challenging. I forgot how hard it is to learn something totally new. It has also introduced me to some really cool people. This weekend I will be rowing in my first race! I am really excited....
Anyway, that being said, I have to decide whether I am going to keep rowing this year once school starts. I really can't decide... I won't be able to row during the evening practices because we have class, which means that I would have to row at 5:30 am. (And only on days when I am not going to Wayne Memorial High School, because I have to be there even before practice is over). In addition, it is a pretty big time commitment and I am not really what one would call a morning person.... However, rowing does make me feel really good and energized, which would be a reason to give it a try. Yet I don't want to be over committed, with school and boyfriend and friends and dog and rowing, oh yeah and sleeping!
Well, I guess I don't have to decide for a month... so we will see!
Anyway, that being said, I have to decide whether I am going to keep rowing this year once school starts. I really can't decide... I won't be able to row during the evening practices because we have class, which means that I would have to row at 5:30 am. (And only on days when I am not going to Wayne Memorial High School, because I have to be there even before practice is over). In addition, it is a pretty big time commitment and I am not really what one would call a morning person.... However, rowing does make me feel really good and energized, which would be a reason to give it a try. Yet I don't want to be over committed, with school and boyfriend and friends and dog and rowing, oh yeah and sleeping!
Well, I guess I don't have to decide for a month... so we will see!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Not a fan of Chatzy
Today I witnessed why I don't think high school students could handle Chatzy, because we couldn't. Maybe it would be useful if strict ground rules were laid out, but for me it has only been distracting. First of all, it is distracting to witness students typing away while in class and to wonder what they are laughing about. Second of all, it is distracting because I am tempted to join or to know what everyone is talking about.
Not only do I think it is disrespectful to be chatting away while a professor is speaking, I also think that the way that people are using it right now is upsetting. Additionally, I think it punishes the students who are trying to pay attention, because they are not part of the in-crowd who is on Chatzy.
This for me is difficult to write, because I am sure that some people will not be too happy about these comments, because they see Chatzy as a relief from paying attention or a way to connect. However, right now, I feel pretty cheated that the conversation in the class is being hindered by people's lack of attention. Furthermore, I just keep thinking about when I am in the classroom, and how I am sure that sometimes students won't think that poetry is the most interesting thing, but I at least hope that they will give me more respect than this.
Not only do I think it is disrespectful to be chatting away while a professor is speaking, I also think that the way that people are using it right now is upsetting. Additionally, I think it punishes the students who are trying to pay attention, because they are not part of the in-crowd who is on Chatzy.
This for me is difficult to write, because I am sure that some people will not be too happy about these comments, because they see Chatzy as a relief from paying attention or a way to connect. However, right now, I feel pretty cheated that the conversation in the class is being hindered by people's lack of attention. Furthermore, I just keep thinking about when I am in the classroom, and how I am sure that sometimes students won't think that poetry is the most interesting thing, but I at least hope that they will give me more respect than this.
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