geek.teacher

What I remember from my Research in Special Education research class: There’s a lot of crappy, useless educational research. Michael Goldstein provides a possible way forward.

Teachers don’t trust research, and understandably so. There’s a lot of shoddy research that supports fads. Experienced teachers remember that “this year’s method” directly contradicts the approach from three years ago. So they’d rather go it alone. Newer teachers pick up on the skepticism about research from the veterans.

Unlike medical research, teacher research rarely examines possible side effects, and whether they are short-term aggravations or can be expected to persist.

via Studying Teacher Moves : Education Next.

To be honest, I see programs like ADE and GCT as a part of this campaign. The article is mostly about Apple.

The demand for technology in classrooms has given rise to a slick and fast-growing sales force. Makers of computers and other gear vigorously court educators as they vie for billions of dollars in school financing. Sometimes inviting criticism of their zealous marketing, they pitch via e-mail, make cold calls, arrange luncheons and hold community meetings.

via Silicon Valley Wows Educators, and Woos Them – NYtimes.com.

This is the most amazing thing I’ve read all week: the story of one of the doctors who treated President Kennedy.

McClelland looked into the head wound. Stray hairs at the back of the head covered parts of the hole, as did bits of bone, blood, and more blood clots. He watched as a piece of cerebellum slowly slipped from the back of the hole and dropped onto the cart.

via D Magazine : The Day Kennedy Died.

There must be at least two measures for each educator: either two district-based measures or one district-based assessment and one measure of trends in MCAS Student Growth Percentile Scores (for the 17 percent of teachers for whom those scores are available) or on the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment. A trend is defined as at least two years of scores; MTA will advocate that local associations bargain a three-year minimum at the local level. The educator’s impact on student growth will be deemed to be low, moderate or high.

via The Massachusetts Teachers Association – State board adopts new evaluation regulations.

I can’t wait to see what kind of assessment my district will have to develop for technology use. With iPads coming in next year, anything we’d develop this year would already be outdated.