Comments on: I’m sure I’m doing it wrong

By: What face to face is good for « 51SoMusic

What face to face is good for « 51SoMusic — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:37:29 +0000

[...] learning is a clearly stated goal in my class. The fact that they know each other better stems solely from the ability to connect and [...]

By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » Defining “Teacher”

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:14:45 +0000

[...] already admitted I do many things that may not be according to the textbook, but I feel like I’m more comfortable in my role. While some reading this might find it [...]

By: Study Ideas and Thoughts » Blog Archive » Course and Instructor Evaluation

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 06:58:22 +0000

[...] again in a couple weeks, I already know a few things I’ll do differently. Certainly I was unclear regarding my blogging expectations and perhaps weighted it too heavily. As much as I find value in [...]

By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » Course and Instructor Evaluation

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:50:08 +0000

[...] again in a couple weeks, I already a few things I’d do differently. Certainly I was unclear regarding my blogging expectations and perhaps weighted it too heavily. As much as I find value in [...]

By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » What face to face is good for

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:59:29 +0000

[...] learning is a clearly stated goal in my class. The fact that they know each other better stems solely from the ability to connect and [...]

By: What is Effective Teaching?

What is Effective Teaching? — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:32:05 +0000

[...] from a thought provoking post via elearnspace which pointed to another great post here: I’m sure I’m doing it wrong. [...]

By: Jan Seiter

Jan Seiter — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:17:03 +0000

I often hear from parents of my students, “…I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in school…”, and I get,”…this is TOO HARD…” from my students, and , “…you forgot to post your OBJ/lesson plan…” from my administrators…
Am I doing it right…?

Jan Seiters last blog post..You can’t always get what U want…

By: Media Literacy: Making Sense Of New Technologies And Media by George Siemens - Oct 25 08 | Write a Blog Site

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:14:04 +0000

[...] we can organize without wearing and educational theory straight jacket. As Dean Shareski states in I’m sure I’m doing it wrong: “Simple. Meaningful. Necessary. Education has become very good at making the simple very complex. [...]

By: Media Literacy: Making Sense Of New Technologies And Media by George Siemens - Oct 25 08 | Geekblog.biz

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:04:29 +0000

By: Louise Maine

Louise Maine — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:43:46 +0000

Dean, I am sure you are doing it right. Much of what I do is still too scripted but I am getting there. I am looking to create some chaos when observed by our Curriculum Specialist this year. He will hate my lesson plans as they are horrible and not well constructed. But the focus of a unit built on big ideas and general direction of where we want to go would be impressive if he has vision. To him, this would be a failure, but when looking at our students, it is not. Louise Maines last blog post..NEBSA Source for Learning challenge

By: Meli Launey

Meli Launey — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:40:29 +0000

I love that your students are collaborating with each other and exploring what teachers are doing with technology in their classrooms. Collaboration and Technology are the cutting edge of education now. What they are learning now is so much more applicable to the classroom than tests that are crammed for and then forgotten. KUDOS!

By: Megan Peterson

Megan Peterson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:05:53 +0000

Hey Dean. It was interesting for me to read this post because being one of your students I have not really stepped back and taken a look at your process and ways of connecting all of us to new learning. I feel stressed out sometimes when I think about all of the subject areas that I need to smarten up on before I get into a classroom. I don't consider myself to be a really smart person, but I know that I am good at explaining things to different kinds of learners. It makes me settle inside to remember that I can have help when I am teaching and that I will never be alone. When I went to school in the ninties there did not seem to be nearly as much sharing between teachers as there is now, and I think that is the way that I thought my experience might be like. But I am beginning to realise that I am in more control of the kinds of learning that my students recieve than I know. Thank you for reminding me that teachers are beginning to embrace change and help one another out. Because of technology we can help eachother all over the globe - this is very inspiring. Megan Petersons last blog post..The Begining of the End

By: Diigo Update (weekly) «

Diigo Update (weekly) « — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:36:15 +0000

[...] Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Blog Archive » I’m sure I’m doing it wrong [...]

By: Anne Baird

Anne Baird — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:44:31 +0000

Dean's definitely doing it right. I love the fact that we all come from all corners of the world but clearly we recognise the importance of and the need for the same things for our students and for ourselves as educators. (or better still co-learners) Dean you are an inspiration to teachers who wonder whether they are "doing it right". Your post and Lisa's comments touched me. I think that there is one more that you could add to the mix and that is that we want to value encourage and expect kids to ask great questions. And then work together (along with us teachers) to answer them. Isn't education an exciting time? I love it. Anne Bairds last blog post..Educating them to be safe is better than blocking .

By: Dean’s not sure what he’s doing « Effective Digital Classrooms

Dean’s not sure what he’s doing « Effective Digital Classrooms — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:03:50 +0000

[...] people who just come out with posts that reflect the collective thoughts of so many. I love reading Dean Shareski’s blog. I met Dean at NECC, he was so down to earth and insightful. In this post he is talking about [...]

By: Joel Kosch

Joel Kosch — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:29:13 +0000

The importance of networking is apparent as I get closer and closer to becoming an educator. By having contacts that can help you through situations, you can really help make your own life easier. I recently heard a man speak about teaching passions and how important it is to be passionate about what you do. The quote in this blog about needing to change the system so that our dedicated teachers can build up students is such a neat one. I never thought about how if you have a flawed system there is no way for a good teacher to be successful. They go hand in hand. It’s time to get rid of the flaws!

By: Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:01:17 +0000

I second the vote for a matching podcast. You have such a GREAT way with words. Cathy Nelsons last blog post..Coming Soon– “A Techstravaganza”

By: Kristin Hokanson

Kristin Hokanson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:05:41 +0000

I think Lisa really hit the nail on the head in how she described what you do…I want to add that you model learning. It is not enough for teachers JUST to teach anymore…they have to model for their learners what learning ACTUALLY looks like, which often means having unclear objectives, asking lots of questions, revising your original thinking…actually Dean, I think you are doing it all right!

By: Steve Dembo

Steve Dembo — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:03:24 +0000

Fantastic post, Dean. Would make a great spoken word video as well. You should think about recording it as a video podcast. Steve Dembos last blog post..Should blogging be moderated?

By: phaedrus » Blog Archive » I’m doing it wrong

phaedrus » Blog Archive » I’m doing it wrong — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:03:18 +0000

[...] I’m sure I’m doing it wrong. [...]

By: Dean Shareski

Dean Shareski — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:32:12 +0000

@Matthew Totally by accident but glad to help.

@Brendan Read Lisa’s Comment

@Gardner I’ll try and find that book thanks.

@Lisa. Wow. You turn my flaws into positives. Insightful, lucid and helpful.

@Chris,Eldon and Sophie your examples of why my job is so easy.

By: Lisa Thumann

Lisa Thumann — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:10:29 +0000

I think that to define good teaching, you need to add several personal and professional traits that you, Dean, happen to possess:

* The willingness to go back and rewrite what didn’t work the first, second or even third time around
* Working with students to define objectives helps them take ownership of their work
* The ability to let students self reflect
* The realization that good curriculum is a living document – meant to be changed as needed
* Tests are overrated
* Knowing that straying from the topic means that you may have connected with your students about something else and that’s a good thing.

I think the key here is FLEXIBILITY.

Thank you for continuing to reflect on how you work as it helps me do the same for myself.

Lisa Thumanns last blog post..Project 10 to the 100th

By: sophie

sophie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:21:30 +0000

That was wonderful. Long day….easy to cry. We must fight the good fight Dean Shareski I hope these student teachers end up in my school one day. They will so feel at home in the room next door.

By: Eldon Germann

Eldon Germann — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:28:08 +0000

As a part of the mentoring program, I am looking forward to working with the young-energetic-full-of-Shareski-taught-magic students. I hope to build my own network along the way, as I believe in life-long learning.

By: Gardner

Gardner — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:16:08 +0000

Great post, Dean. Have you ever read Walker Percy's "The Loss of the Creature"? Fantastic stuff about teaching and learning in there--I think you'd find him a kindred spirit, just as I have. Rock on, brother! Gardners last blog post..Opening Up Education

By: Chris Harbeck

Chris Harbeck — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:35:04 +0000

You are able to teach the way you do because you give give give. You are the first to leave a comment at a blog post, the first to reflect on current events and you are always available through email, chat or skype. Because you do all of your work and network with the most influential tech educators around we gain your knowledge. Student reflection is why social media and teaching should go hand in hand. You incorporate it into your courses.... Man I wish I had a teacher like you. Wait I do every day in twitter, blogs and where ever you go. Thanks Dean for being Dean. I learn from you everyday. Chris Harbecks last blog post..The Rise of the Rest

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:32:54 +0000

Those first 6 bullets encapsulate the difficulties I had in the classroom. It is so ingrained in me, from years of being a part of the education system, that learing looks and sounds like quiet children in rows listening to teachers lecture that if I didn't mentally prepare myself for a loud classroom I would freak myself out. I laugh as my 3 year old takes apart the excersise bike. He has removed the gel insert from the seat and put it on his truck seat. In the classroom I would probably be focused on the fact that he refuses to put on his pants. Brendans last blog post..Second Case of MRSA at Liberty High School

By: Mathieu Quimper

Mathieu Quimper — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:22:04 +0000

Thank you for this post.

You didn’t make my day, I think you just made MY LIFE!

By: Melanie Holtsman

Melanie Holtsman — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:19:06 +0000

Beside the fact that I want a gig like yours…. I only WISH I had an instructor like you because I think your “magic” creates the opportunity for learning to go beyond what you could have imagined, just like Sophie says. I’ve begun to think that the question shouldn’t be, “What are you doing in your classroom?” but instead, “What learning are you allowing to happen?”

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of the magic….

Melanie Holtsmans last blog post..And the World Gets a Little Smaller…