From the classes I've taught in the past 2 years I can see where options like these need to exist, at the very least, for those students who finish early, understand quickly, need a challenge, etc. etc.... #1 question I'm asked by students? Easy: Can I use the computer?* I flat-out say no 99% of the time because I know they are only going to play games or sneak onto a music/mail/whatever site they aren't supposed to. But what if they could run their own wiki? Do meaningful research? Create or compose? The possibilities are, of course, endless...
I'm still working on my Year in Review (actually, I'm still working -- 3 more weeks of school), attempting to process all I've experienced and learned during this 1st year of full time (sort of) subbing. And I definitely still don't feel like a teacher, nor feel I am in any position experience/knowledge/skill -wise to make sweeping judgments and claim to have the answers for what ails Education. (you know a "but" is coming, don't you?) But...
I do wonder why 1) some classrooms are so loud, distracted, unruly, disrupted, talkative? Is it just the way kids are? Is it because they have a sub? Is it a teacher or parent or school culture problem?
2) why is there so much wasted/lost time during the school day? Does it really take that long to get started, to switch subject materials, to understand directions? How much of question #2 is in direct correlation to #1?
Hmmm...
*provided of course the classroom does have working computers. Love the district that chose to spend the $$$ on a large screen TV (aka "dust catcher"or "movie screen") instead of enough computers to be worthwhile...
