As I mentioned last week, we are easing into the content of the course to ensure that everyone is able to access webCT and can figure out how to submit assignments, etc. The Intro Letter assignment is going to be due on Sat to give everyone a chance to read other blogs and leave comments for peers. Some of you may have noticed the blogroll that I have started for those students who have submitted their blogs. If you haven't created your blog yet, it's okay. . .but you should have it up by the end of class! I will go over how to submit your entry in class tonight.
This week:
We will ensure that everyone has access to webCT and I'll discuss the journal assignment part of the blog. Some people didn't follow the title requirement of the blog. . .I'll show you how to edit the blog! Don't forget to complete the EdTechProfile. . .It is an assignment that you should be able to do on your own. Remember, answer the questions about your current level of technology proficiency AS IF you were in a classroom. You do not have to be in the classroom to complete the survey (although it was designed for classroom teachers). You should have your subscriptions to ISTE and TaskStream by now. You should also have your portable storage device. If you are reading this before class, I would like you to get a Google/Gmail account as well as a Yahoo! email account. We will discuss the many opportunities that both Google and Yahoo! provide educators and students. Lastly, I will introduce the concept of social bookmarking and discuss the del.icio.us assignment.
Journal #1: This is a feature article from the August 2007 issue of ISTE's Learning and Leading with Technology (L&L). "Power of the Mashup" By Susie Boss and Jane Krauss. I usually start out with an article that can be downloaded for free if anyone is having financial difficulties. In webCT, under the Journals 1-4 assignment, there is a one-page document that discusses the requirements for each journal. I will also cover the requirements in class.
Lastly, to ensure that everyone ready the blog, I will always attach a weekly questions that I would like everyone to answer. For me, this accomplishes two things: it lets me know you are reading the blog; it also allows you to get to know your peers. You will answer the question by leaving a comment. I expect everyone to participate by leaving a comment for each week's blog.
This week's question: What is your current favorite teacher movie and why?
24 comments:
My favorite teacher movie is Stand and Deliver. What I like about it is that is shows that a teacher can teach even the hardest subjects to the most unlikely students. I still watch it once or twice a year. I also like that when the students did so well on the exam the administrators assumed they must have cheated; hopefully not a typical response these days.
Ray Eller
My favorite teacher movie is Deads Poets Society. It shows how a teacher can cut through the B.S of teaching and really reach the students to bring out their creativity and passion. This teacher has the ability to walk with the students as well as deal with the old guard of the establishment. The teacher is unwilling to give into his values, the students believe in him and therefore themselves. Don Paul
"Who is your daddy, and what does he do?"
"It's not a tumah! (tumor)"
My favorite teacher movie is Kindergarten Cop. I love watching the hulking Arnold Schwarzenegger trying to manage a classroom of screaming kids. He blows a police whistle at them and makes a ferret the class pet. It's hilarious but also shows how with a little creative thinking, even a tough hot-tempered cop can successfully lead a class. He even wins over the ornery principal with his great teaching techniques. The cutest part is when he lulls the class to sleep by reading them Winnie the Pooh.
My favorite teacher movie is "Stand and Deliver". Not only do I love the teacher's commitment, devotion to and belief in his students, but the movie makes a strong case for the fact that everyone can learn difficult subjects if they have a teacher who has a gift for breaking subject matter down into simpler components. I had a very hard time with math in high school, and had a teacher similar to the one in Stand and Deliver--he made what was so hard for me a much easier subject!
My favorite teacher movie is Lean On Me. The fact that it is based on a true story is inspiring. I enjoy listening and seeing the idea of reaching what is believed to be the unreachable students. Though it is not the norm it is a refreshing thought how teachers can make a significant difference in at least one life if you are lucky and many lives if you are dedicated!
I liked Mr Holland's Opus. It shows a man who felt he had wasted much of his professional life doing work that did not matter. In the end he finally sees that he was always right where he was supposed to be and his life in teaching was his opus.
My favoite teacher related movie will have to be Dead Poets Society. Mostly because I have had teachers like Robin Williams. I think every teacher I have ever had has left an impression on me, but the goofier the better!
"Stand and Deliver" is definitely the most inspiring movie. Giving everything you have to offer as a teacher and a friend as well as bringing out the best in your students is the message I get from this movie. Making the best of what you have in the worst and most difficult of situations is what teachers are often pushed to do, and this movie is a great depiction of the struggle and joys of teaching.
Lean On Mean... I think we watched that movie a dozen times when I was in school. Maybe all those teachers that showed the movie were trying to secretly speak to all of us students that one day would also become exceptional teachers. Teachers that would reach out to the students that were at the low end of the achievement gap.. The ones that were and are being left behind.
My favorite teacher movie is “Hair Spray.” This movie teaches us about overcoming insecurities of minority individuals. It also goes into the issues of segregation in the 1950's and how some people tried to overcome it. I love this movie because it has dancing and singing and it still has an important message. It is also a fun movie for everyone!
Favorite teacher movie would be "Legally Blonde", mostly because my wife makes me watch it all the time. It is comical at how strict college professors are portrayed within the film. When in reality they are merely trying to get students to think. Anyway if you want to watch a cheesey comedy/chick flick this is for you. =)
May favorite teacher movies: Mr. Holland's Opus, Dead Poet's Society, Lean On Me, Michelle Pifer movie, Sister Act, The Ron Clark Story
I saw teachers who used their creativity in their teaching methods. I saw teachers who touch the lives of many students. I saw teachers who were passionate about teaching. I saw teachers passion for teaching being tested by students. But, I also saw teachers just being human. I hope that I have the creativity, strenght, and heart when I begin teaching.
Paul Choi
My favorite teacher movie is "School Of Rock". I liked how Jack Black encouraged the students to express themselves through music. Individuality is so important for kids to attain. I thought he made an awesome teacher because he was open-minded about learning and embraced the kids differences.
-Jenny
Remember the Titans was a great teacher movie to me. In it Denzel Washington, the football coach has to deal with numerous issues. He deals with racism, teaching discipline, and instilling the importance of education in all his players. You see the progression his players make toward acceptance and eventually love for one another. He also emphasizes the importance of education, that athletes must also use their brains, not just their muscles. The movies has a lot of twists and turns, and I really enjoyed the sports aspect of it too. I reccomend this movie, not only to sport fans, but to everyone.
My favorite teacher movie is Freedom Writers. It was an inspiration story of a woman who went the extra MILES to actually TEACH her Freshman English Students to read and compose essays. In fact, the students were never expected to "go anyplace" and resources were not provided to students, as they were considered a waste. The impact on students was amazing; I am sure you would enjoy this movie.
My favorite teacher movie is the Ron Clark Story. I like the way that he made learning fun for the students, and the fact that he was always expanding their world with new experiences. I also liked the fact that even though he had a secure job at a good school, he left all of it to teach at a school that really needed him.
My favorite teacher movie is School of Rock. I chose this movie because I enjoy it and I watch it often with my children. Although Dewey (Jack Black) does everything "wrong," he ultimately does everything right. Through music, he is able to inspire the children in his class to take risks and find their individuality in the sea of test scores and uniforms. Ultimately, Dewey becomes a music teacher and is in the right environment to inspire his students with his passion for music and life.
My favorite teacher movie would have to be "October Sky". It is a story based in a small mining town during the early sixties, around the time of Sputnik. A student, played by Jake Gylenhall, is so amazed at the fact that the Russians were able to place a satellite in orbit, that he is engulfed by the idea of rockets and their ability to pierce the heavens. His father thinks it's a big waste of time, and encourages his son to work in the mines, like everyone else. However, one teacher, played by Laura Dern, continues to push Jake to follow his dreams! She believes in him, and makes him believe in himself. I won't divulge too much other than this would be a great film for 7th - 12th grade students because it displays the ability to attain lofty goals, as long as you apply yourself and strive to achieve better things.
My favorite teacher movie is "Dead Poets Society." I really like it because it reminds me a little bit like my high-school, the preppiness, and my family trips to New England. But most of it reminds me about how beautiful my college was - St. Michael's College. I can't not look at that movie go down memory lane on childhood trips we had all over New England. The bad part is that most of the teachers are stuffy, just like my teachers were in high school. School was serious stuff!
My favorite teacher movie is Dangerous Minds. It shows how teaching with passion, understanding, and patience can reach even the toughest students. It shows how a inner city school teacher went against the norms of teaching and because of this her students became were successful. Since she was able to reach out to them through her practices, the students felt accomplished and confident in themselves.
Darah Markley
My favorite teacher movie is "Mr. Holland's Opus". It reminds me a little like "It's a Wonderful Life", where a man touches so many lives in a positive way by doing what he does every day in the community and had no idea of the impact. It's one of those positive statements about humanity. I also appreciate the awareness that it brings to the importance of programs like music and the arts as so many are being cut in favor of a heavier academic emphasis.
My favorite teacher movie is Dead Poets Society. The movie portrays the different types of teaching styles at a private boarding school. Robin Williams plays the part of the English teacher. He has a very different style of teaching and befriends the boys. He encourage the boys to have more independent thoughts and to be who they want to be, not what their parents want.
I would have to say my favorite Teacher movie is Dangeerous Minds. Loved it. Thought it made an important social statement.
When not serious - definitely The Breakfast Club - if you count the principal as a teacher???
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