Jan 12 Ed Week

"Simulations Helping Novices Hone Skills" Hey, I thought this is really cool! They have developed computer programs that simulate real student behaviors in response to teaching techniques that provide real feed back.I wish we had the option of computer simulated practice teaching. I think "all the practice we can get" should be the philosophy of teacher education. Theory is fine but it isn't going to help you teach difficult students. We should be practicing teaching lessons in front of our peers right now to help us get ready. We get very little time speaking in front of class. But it's a skill that can only developed by practice.

December 8, ed.

"Elementary Students Encouraged to Raise College Expectations" Here we go again--let's push college on everyone as early we possibly can. Ridiculous! College isn't the "be all and end all", there are plenty of valid career paths that don't require college, ie. the trades. Sure we should encourage kids to do well in school, but for its own sake not just so they can get into college. Besides, getting into college isn't all that difficult anyway. Most colleges are so money hungry they'll take anybody whose check doesn't bounce. Yeah, to get into some of the top colleges may be tough but the kids that make it are usually pretty self motivated and/or have parents pushing them all the way. I think college should be an option but not one that should be crammed down every ones throat. Besides, if we were doing a better job of educating kids  so they can actually read, write and do math when they graduate from high school--college wouldn't be necessary for a lot of jobs. Employers require college now just because people are graduating high school lacking basic skills.