Too Much Hand Holding
I’ve written about this topic before. However, I am compelled to write it about it again, given events occuring at present at my place of employ.
Every spring, an annual rite of passage occurs for the 8th graders: The major presentation project. Long story short: The students get ample support, in my honest opinion, too much. So much, in fact, that I think that we teachers end up being more concerned about controlling the process in an effort to produce a favorable outcome than they are. Which leads me to the following: When I am more concerned in this way, it is time for me to take a step back, and re-align my own priorities.
The desire to control the process for a favorable outcome emerges from the fact that we don’t want to see students fail. The truth is, some will fail, most will deliver satisfactory, perfectly acceptable presentations, and, a select few will receive top honors. After all, the project, in theory, is supposed to promote independent learning and thinking. Too bad this is not what actually happens for many of the students.
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I do think the process starts here; I was visiting with a former student who told me that he had to kick a student out of his group for not wanting to participate and do his part. I agreed and said you made the best choice. What was his reward? He was seen as the bad guy by the rest of his peers which made it difficult for him to work with new people later.
Edward Carson - May 15, 2008 at 7:46 am
Miss Profe, You’re talking about a 21st Century educational phenomenon…the idea that everyone makes the grade, succeeds, passes, gets challenged and makes the cut. (Ooops, sounds like I’m dissing NCLB!)
There’s a country-western song out there — can’t recall the title — that talks about not everyone succeeding, making the team, and all that. And the singer just says that, hey, that’s the way it was. And there were no fatalities.
If we try to create success for students who don’t necessarily hunger for it, what are we…enablers?
I’m glad you asked the question. We need to look square at it.
Hugh
Hugh ODonnell - May 15, 2008 at 10:58 pm