[NIFL-FOBASICS:881] RE: Teaching to the test

From: Woods (woods@ncia.net)
Date: Wed Dec 10 2003 - 23:05:37 EST


Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov>
Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id hBB45am18026; Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:05:37 -0500 (EST)
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2003 23:05:37 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <004f01c3bf9b$89e13620$a10a1845@DeepThought>
Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov
Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov
Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov
Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov
Precedence: bulk
From: "Woods" <woods@ncia.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:881] RE: Teaching to the test
X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2720.3000
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Type: text/plain;
Status: O
Content-Length: 1080
Lines: 19

Eric Appleton wrote:
> We can create thematic, project-based curriculum that is has substance

I'm a teacher in a prison high school. Our students range in age from 17-60.
We have several different options for students such as a regular diploma by
completing coursework and earning credits, a diploma through assessment of
prior learning, and a GED. I have always preferred a rich offering of
experiential thematic courses, but one student who was working on a GED
reminded me this may not be what everyone prefers. He said he didn't want to
waste time in the experiential classes. He just wanted to get his GED. The
upshot is, for us it's important to offer both a thematic approach and a
"no-nonsense" direct approach. Different students need different things. For
students who are poorly motivated, one way to get them interested in
education is to make it personally meaningful. If a student is interested in
learning to read blueprints, he or she can learn the incidental stuff like
reading, math, and writing without even realizing it. Call it stealth
education.
Tom Woods



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Mar 11 2004 - 12:17:00 EST