[R]evolution in Teacher Education -
Carla Zembal-Saul, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Science Education
Kahn Professor, STEM Education, Penn State University
Talk focused on how colleges of education are working to collaborate with schools to find new methods of better practice in terms of technology use in the classroom. Major concern is that colleges of education have vague definitions of what exactly is the appropriate use of technology. Is asking your students to make one or two PowerPoint presentations a year proper or adequate use of technology? What is the proper or adequate use of technology? Is it more appropriate to have students use web 2.0 tools promote student collaborations on a weekly or daily basis? Overall, the talk made me grateful for how Scott and Springside support our department’s desires for trying new methods of science teaching practice, technology based or other. Our classes are not just science labs, but labs of science education.
Below are the key ideas I took from the talk. My comments are in italics:
Teacher inquiry is key. It’s OK to question what is done in the classroom.
Teaching as a complex, problem-solving endeavor. If you think you have no problems to solve, you’re missing something key.
Examine problems of practice.
Promote knowledge building within the community. (Then publish together!)
Supporting the development of digital pedagogies – this could be considered teaching 2.0
Video analysis – teachers view their own teaching in a video - like sports film! Can “tag” moments in the film of note. Excellent tool for self-reflection. Watching a film of me teaching would definitely give me new perspectives as to the dynamics of the class. Didn't catch the program shown for recording such video - need to find on the conference website!