Activity Uses

I think this activity would be very useful within a classroom setting. Students could find information and use it to provide opinions, then be forced to defend or change their opinions after receiving comments from other students. It could be used in almost any subject area, especially in Math. Students could post reactions to a word problem, or explain how they went about solving it. This would give students a reference bank for strategies.

Elizabeth

Reactions to Video

I was really surprised to hear about Finland's education system. For most people in America, it would see like a step backwards. I think, however, that students in Finland will continue to prosper because they are not being forced to learn - they are excited to do and are choosing to learn. This change in thinking is a significant one, and would require buy-in from everyone involved in the education system - something that would not be easily done here in America. There are so many theories and schools of thought that creating one vision like Finland would be, I hate to say it, almost impossible.

Elizabeth

Homeless Students

I really enjoyed reading the article titled "Tutoring brings relief to Montgomery County’s homeless children" from The Washington Post. According to the article, Montgomery County Public Schools pays teachers to go and tutor homeless students twice a week. I think this is such a great service provided by the county. Homeless students have so many extra worries than other students, so the normalcey provided by this service, as well as the relationship that grows is so important. The teachers who are performing this are really making a difference - I wish I could be that influential (and motivated!).

Elizabeth

Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/tutoring-brings-relief-to-montgomery-countys-homeless-children/2012/11/29/6e1dcfb6-3809-11e2-a263-f0ebffed2f15_story.html