The first chapter being the last one MUST signify something after all. And this something could be the beginning of new practices,techniques, viewpoints, insights, etc.in our professional development.
It could be quite interesting to see how this shift the book proposes, can be a real fact and not just a
captivating reading that few teachers are fortunate enough to have a glance at.
I think the challenge is there, not in the reading itself, of course, but in the successful implementation of such innovative approach in learning.
ThE big question we have to ask ourselevs BEFORE doing anything is what is the real purpose of our work, which refers exactly to what we expect from our pupils to learn and be able to demonstrate they undesrstood and obviously that they finally learnt something in classes.
Merci.
What you say it's true. Unfortunately it's a pity that this model is not widely spread around. Probably if they are rather integrated in ministry designs it'd be great, and why not having the authors giving a couple of talks and assessing book designs. Well, at least we have it around to make use of it.
ReplyDeleteau revoir. :)
That they finally head learnt something is one important thing to reflect upon. For it is absolutely aimless too to read theoretical papers without even making a first attempt to get the best out of the reading of them and putting into practice all those innovative ideas you have reffered too.
ReplyDeleteOf course we have to ask ourselves essential questions as the ones you propose, for if we really want to make this big shifts or changes to come true, our first step to take is that of critical reflection on what we want our pupils to develop, and how we are going to do so so that sheer learning occurs.
I agree with you when you say that the reading of this book has been an inmersion to a new educational dimension which has made us to reflect about our current way of teaching. Undoubtedly the exploration of this new perspective has been enourmously beneficial for us, because by means of it, we have understood concepts and stages that allow building knowledge by the practice. For example the establishment of goals before starting to plan a unit, the development of a design based on the established goals, the right use of assessment as a way to foster learning, etc. All these aspects contribute to improve our work, making it more effective day after day.
ReplyDeleteDear Claudia,
ReplyDeleteWe are 16 people who are well aware of the importance of doing radical changes in and on the teaching practice. How to spread it like the most contagious virus is the biggest challenge.
I guess that doing it in the classroom and then telling and convincing the rest about it would be the key.
Having the ministry of education or an official document that provides guidelines based on this book would make a big change. Or if it was included in the training that is given through the English Open Doors program, would reach those areas which are more in-need; The same with mentors and the ones in charge of the networks in the regions.
The way to spread the info is somehow ready... but how to reach the top authorities is the issue.
Dear Claudia,
ReplyDeleteI consider Wiggins' Backward design as a breakthrough in education. It can improve the teaching practice in all kind of education: primary, secondary and higher education.
I agree with you in the sense that reading it and managing to understand it is the first step. The sencond, though, can be more challenging and it is the most important one.
Undersatnding the advantages of the Backward design is not worth the effort without the effective implementation of it. This is particularly relevant when we realize that the successful implementation of this design can be time-consuming. It is not a matter of putting into practice once and coming up with extraordinary results all of a sudden.
it true what you say, it`s a shame that good models like this are not known by everybody, only few of us know this and it will be a great idea to share this knowledge with more people, specially with the ones who have the power to change things.
ReplyDeletethe previous comment was written by Monica. I donot know what is under the name Francisca.
ReplyDeleteanyway