The Science Channel

There are today so many good programs that divulge science, one avenue in particular is The Science Channel. The question is how can we best use this documentaries to motivate science students? Through the Wormhole is a series that is worth watching. http://science.discovery.com/tv/through-the-wormhole/
They are bringing to public notice, ideas and research that is way out at the frontier of discovery. One idea is to ask students to watch a particular program and then have a class discussion about it and if there are misconceptions either explicit or implicit then these can be addressed by the professor in class and of course can be used to show the students that science is always evolving and new ideas are constantly being advanced. Not always within the consensus of the established scientific community.

Dilemmas of Planning Backwards: Rescuing a Good Idea | Coalition of Essential Schools

Good old ideas are here to stay. Dilemmas of Planning Backwards: Rescuing a Good Idea | Coalition of Essential Schools

The question of accountability is difficult to answer as many factors are involved in the process. So the first goal is to find what is the objective of each individual action and what would be the means for assessing if that objective has been met? Traditionally we would be using standards and topics stablished by previous curricula but times change and continuous modifications, adaptations, and reviews have to be done. The accomplishments at the end have to be framed within a context that relates to the students' life and environment.

Heidi Hayes Jacobs - What is Curriculum Mapping

XXI century technology applied to teaching has been changing the way we interact with colleagues within and outside our academic institutions. Curriculum development and assessment can now be done using internet techniques and tools.
The use of YouTube is one example and the configuration of cyber groups with social or professional interests are popping all over the place, including of course international collaborations. This gives us not only an opportunity for professional development but more important an opportunity to solve some of the most pressing problems we face in education today.

Five Principal Practices for the New School Year

As the new academic year begins I found this article very interesting. One idea in particular: "make no excuse" is catching my eye. So now I am thinking what are the main excuses that students in the past have had? How can I understand what is the framework now well into the XXI century?

Five Principal Practices for the New School Year

What the best college teachers do

This is a great book written by Ken Bain, have a look at this video http://vimeo.com/16131510 After a very comprehensive study looking at many renowned college teachers Bain gives a great guideline about defining excellent teaching and gives an insight on how to qualify and possible quantify good teaching. All within the framework that the impact produced by learning should should be a sustained influence that transforms student's life and not a temporary accumulation of data or information that will only be used during the final exam. Getting good grades after all do not indicate that the student becomes a useful citizen.

Science Coaches Program

Science Coaches Program ACS is promoting coaching and mentoring of chemical science teachers in high school. 500 dollars are given to support school in the purchase of supplies for this program. Collaboration is the key to success and it is happening at so many levels.

Not blaming the teachers

In today's Oregonian Tracy Groom (Teacher at Wilson High School in Southwest Portland) writes about learning responsibilities and accountability in our schools compared to India where Mr. Groom visited as a Fulbright exchange teacher. The article is a "must read" piece that puts the finger on one the most difficult and sensitive aspects of the situation with the teaching/learning discussion in our country today. This is some of what he has to say: "My Indian students were enrolled in far more advanced classes -- especially in math and science -- and performed far better in school and on exams than their American counterparts. Classes usually exceeded 45 students, the quality of teaching was horrendous, and the books and teaching resources were atrocious. Thin classroom walls were no match for street noise or the nearby Indira Gandhi International Airport, and only the principal's office was cooled during blazing hot summers or heated through bitterly cold winters. Yet students excelled. Why? " http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2011/08/lessons_from_india_blame_stude.html