Learning as a Way of Teaching

It has been two months, but with TAKSMAN on sabbatic, Inclusioncast is back with another episode.

This episode stems from frustrations over the TAKS test and all things related to it.  There is a lot of energy that is placed on the test as it rolls around, and I think there is a lot of energy that could be shared all year long.

I cannot wait to hear your toughts and reactions to this episode.  Thanks for taking the time to listen.

Inclusioncast #2

I have finally finished the first of hopefully will be many podcasts on inclusion. I love talking to teachers about inclusion practices and I love multimedia. It just seemed natural to me to create a podcast that combines those two loves.

Please indulge me and give me some feedback on this maiden voyage in the uncharted waters of podcasting. Well, uncharted for me.

Inclusioncast #1

Every morning on the way to work I drive by our local community college.  Actually, it is the nursing school attached to our hospital, but that is not important. What makes me laugh is the gaggle of students who stand out on the curb and smoke.  I think smoking is disgusting so my opinion might be a little bit skewed.  But isn’t it ironic that the future of our health care system is willing to stand out in the rain, shine, cold, and wind to practice a habit that everyone knows destroys healthy bodies?  And how will their patients react?  “Sir, you need to exercise and follow this diet if you want your heart to work properly.  Now if you will excuse me, I am going to suck on a cancer stick.”

But as my finger wags at these nursing students, I realize that I am just as guilty.  How many times have I told a student, “Why did you not bring a pen to class?  Did you not think you were going to need to write today?”  Students do not need that humiliation any more than I need the checkout clerk at the grocery store to say,” No, you cannot borrow a pen.  Did you not think you were going to have to write a check for your groceries?  Did you think we were just going to bag ‘em up and say, ‘Have a nice day’?”

Parenting is just as tricky.  The same mouth that tells my children how to speak nicely to others also yells at the idiot who didn’t take his turn at the four way stop.  Yikes.

So, irony is everywhere.  Walking the talk is not the easiest habit to maintain.

The Read/Write web has so many fascinating possibilites for the classroom.  Is it possible to know all of them?  How else can I learn than to simply dive in and start blogging?  Join me as I seek out new (and old) ways to use the Web 2.0 in the classroom.