Should Teachers Give Extra Credit?

I think that extra credit can be a good thing IF you do not give too much of it.  Extra credit should relate to the area that you are teaching.  The same extra credit opportunity should be given to every class and have a clear deadline.  I don't think that extra credit should be easy.  It should require slightly more work than that of a typical assignment. 

One common mistake that I came across during high school was that teachers would give so much extra credit that it was TOO easy to get an A or above.  The extra credit was usually really easy to complete, and probably really easy to grade.  It is important to make sure that extra credit will provide the student with an opportunity to learn something.  It should take time and effort to complete and extra time to grade as well.  If the students are willing to put in the extra work, so should you.  Or...you could just not give extra credit...

Another reason extra credit should be given is for motivation to go above and beyond.  It will help students to learn more about the subject while also increasing their grade.  I believe that extra credit should be given, but only once or twice a semester  Here is one article that relates to what I was talking about:

extra-credit-can-help-all-students-improve

Teaching with the Peace Corps

The only thing I knew that I wanted to do in my future was to join the Peace Corps.  The only thing I wasn't sure about was what I was going to do with them.  Now I know that I want to teach overseas with them.  I am not sure exactly what will happen, but I look forward to the opportunity.

Teaching overseas will be a totally different experience from teaching in America.  I will likely be teaching English instead of history, like I will be teaching here in the U.S.  One volunteer provided an example of how it might be different.  He talks about what reasons people came in to learn English.  He states:  "A few thought that English can help getting a job; another's dream was understanding lyrics to English songs, and a few came to just socialize."

I think that teaching overseas will help me teach in America as well.  The experience will be valuable in my understanding of different cultures and it will help me learn to teach to people of any background.  I know that my stories will be able to be used in my classroom and I hope that my students some day will have the opportunity to travel to experience a broad range of cultures.

Here is the website for education in the Peace Corps:

http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/

Using Facebook for School

As many people know, Facebook is one of the biggest social networks of our time.  Almost everyone that I know has a Facebook account.  Most of them check it daily and I even know that many people spend a large portion of their day on it.  Most adults think that Facebook is a large distraction and some educators think it should be banned in schools.  I believe that teachers can use Facebook to their advantage.

Since kids are already spending a lot of their free time on Facebook, teachers should find ways to incorporate it into their lessons.  Students can do small projects on Facebook.  For example, post a news story or a link to a website that connects to what you are covering in class and have them post comments.  They can have discussions with classmates while they are on Facebook about an event in history or a scientific discovery.  They can write about a book they are reading or discuss ideas for a thesis of a paper they are going to write.  There are so many possibilities from just a single post.

Another way to use Facebook is as a source of reminders or changes in assignments.  If they all can come to one Facebook page for a class, the teacher can remind everyone of an assignment at the same time.  Students could ask questions about an assignment and when the teacher answers, everyone else in the class will know too.  It will be easier for shy kids to ask questions without having to speak in front of the entire class too. 

You could also use Facebook to post Power-points from class or important points covered in class.  This could help students remember what was covered and help sick students understand what was talked about in class.  There are so many ideas that have not been covered as well.  Here is a link to a website that can help you incorporate Facebook into your classroom:

100 ways you should be using facebook in your classroom

What makes Professor Green's teaching great?

After my first day of class in History of Christian Thought, I knew that it was going to be a great class.  Professor Green made sure that everyone knew that his class was not going to be a class where you could get an "Easy A."  We had to write response papers on readings for class.  He made it very clear that they would not be easy.  Each student had to participate in class discussions in order to get an 'A' as well.  Then, after the rest of his introduction, he gave everybody the opportunity to leave the class if they would like to.

Now this does not sound like a great class...it just sounds hard.  Professor Green wanted only the students that were willing to put in the work.  He definitely put in the effort.  Each day (at 8:00) he had more energy than the students in the class.  He showed that he was really passionate about what he taught.  I think that it is important to love what you do and have high expectations for students and he did just that.  Professor Green was also organized and stuck to a schedule.  He was good at facilitating class discussions and asked us really hard questions.  Another thing he did well was opening up and connecting to students.  He had a great sense of humor and was always welcome to one on one conversations outside of class.

Here are some of his blogs:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/todd-green-phd

Bullying in Schools

Jodee Blanco recently did a presentation of “It’s Not Just Joking Around” on Tuesday, November 16th, at Decorah High School Auditorium.  She spoke about bullying in schools and ways to keep it from happening. On her website she states, "No one should have to endure being teased, bullied, or abused. Cruelty violates a person’s sense of self and others. If you or someone you know—perhaps your son, daughter, student, or a friend—is being bullied at school, you can help. Listen to them. Let them know they are not alone in their struggle. Be compassionate, supportive, and strong."  In the end, I found that it really all came down to good parenting.  A good parent should let their kids know that they are there for them.

I was not a big fan of her teaching style.  I understand that she went through some VERY rough times in high school, but it seemed like she was too focused on herself at times.  She was very intense and made me fell uncomfortable at times.  On the other hand, she did a very good job of getting her point across. 

She believes that educators can play a large role in helping out with the problem.  She doesn't want teachers to just "sweep it under the rug" when it happens.  Instead they need to befriend both the victim and the bullier.  She says that bullying instances should be dealt with immediately and firmly.  It is important to connect with parents as well.  This may be difficult but "stay calm" even if the parents are not.  She has suggestions for parents, educators, and victims on her website.

Here is her website:

http://www.jodeeblanco.com/