I was glad to hear Matt felt the personal desire to keep reading, the message of learning is powerful. More importantly is what you felt from the learning and what the "story being told was."
When I first read the jellyfish story as well as the creation myth, I didn't really see the tie in with education. After talking about it in class today I feel as though it holds a greater message then I realized. As a teacher your knowledge is not all the amount of knowledge in the world. Students must understand that you do not have all the answers, you can make mistakes, and you too will seek out new information when you don't know the answer to something. Sometimes older teachers feel like they know everything and their students couldn't possibly teach them anything. But you have to remember that you do not know everything and a good teacher will admit that and do everything in their power to find the answers to all their students questions as well as push students to seek the answers to their questions themselves. Also especially when it comes to technology oftentimes your students will know more then you do about technology and there are many things that a students can teach a teacher, if the teacher is open to the opportunity.
...if the teacher is open to the opportunity...an excellent choice of words, "opportunity." WE have to make those opportunities exist and with the endless infusion of technology increasing, it is absolutely going to be even more opportunistic!
While reading the book, I could also tell that as it goes on, the message about learning and education may become more clear. I also agree that teachers do not know everything and need to be open to allowing their students to teach them as well. I think that when the students are aware that their teacher is willing to learn from them, the authority in the classroom shift and creates an even better learning environment. I feel that if the teacher holds all the authority in the class, then the lesson is being dictated to the students. By shifting the authority students will feel a greater sense of responsibility in their learning process, and I think it also allows the teacher to come down to the students level which can make the students feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
could not agree with you more Lauren. You could see in the book that Ishmael was definately had the authority in the classroom, however if his student was having trouble gaining control of concepts Ishmael was trying to convey Ishmael would change thee question or re ask the question in a different way to help his student along which is something every successful teacher does.
Both of you are correct! Well said and we need to not only get to the level of our students but as you said, ALLOW ourselves to be taught by our students. I am doing it very day with our iPad initiative! Including the collaboration as we speak about the four C's
I also agree with what you are saying about Ishmael, what I really liked about the book was at times the pupil was very confused about what Ishmael was saying. I liked that Ishmael challenged him/her to take the time to come up with the answers. Very easily Ishmael could have given away all the answers.
Ishmael also works very hard to get his students to think and problem solve. He uses a lot of examples to help guide his pupil but he never really tells him an answer right away. You can tell that Ishmael believes the message he is trying to convey will be much more powerful if the pupil himself discovers it. In essence Ishmael is using Inquiry based learning techniques.
I totally agree with this, the best learning is done through critical thinking and even though an answer may seem so far away once the "gears" start to rotate in a students mind they can be guided down the right path of successfully answering any question. It is very true that Ishmael does this with his learners, he is getting them to think critically and analyze obtained information.
I just finished reading the article, The Road to Present Day Inquiry Based Learning, and as I was reading I was thinking that maybe it could relate to Ishmael. Your comment reminded me of the part of the article that said Moore believed "that student is taught the best who is told the least" By not giving his pupil the answer, he is guiding him in discussion and questioning. This forces his pupil to make sense of it on his own and come to a better understanding.
“Ishmael” is like no book I have ever read before. At first, I could not make any sense of it. I thought that perhaps the idea of conversation between a man (or perhaps, a woman?) and a gorilla is some kind of a metaphore-- an imagination, or a dream, that the student was going through in order to arrive at some kind of a conclusion. Now, as I read more in-depth, it seems that this is an ongoing theme of the book, but what message it is trying to convey to the reader is still somewhat unclear to me.
I agree with everyone else here, teachers do need to be open minded and keep in mind that there always is space for improvement-- for teachers as well as for their students. Students should be taught to think critically and dissect the nevely learned knowledge into smaller pieces that they can apply in their lives or in their future carriers. That said, an article The Road to Present Day Inquiry-Bsed Learning states, “teachers [of mathmeatics-- but I believe that ALL teachers] should strive to create a climate of discussing, questioning, and listening in their classes” which is a perfect example of what Ishmael is doing in the book so far. I am convinced that this book has a purpose and a great lesson to teach for everyone who gets to read it. I am looking forward to learn what it is.
Many who have read the book have told me similar thoughts about not fully understanding the ideas of the whole novel, that said we can certainly talk about it further, but I care omre that you see a rich dialogue emerge and how learning can occur. Even when the conversation is at such an elementary level. I love your reply about being convinced it has a purpose, and your confidence, great job.
I finished reading Ishmael today and like Justyna I am still unsure of the message. However what did stick out to me was when Ishmael was explaining to his student what he should do next. The student was unsure of what to do with the new information he came to understand and Ishmael told him to explain it to 100 people and tell them to explain it to 100 people. He wanted to show him that the way to make a difference as an individual is to spread knowledge. Knowledge can make a huge difference in peoples lives once they obtain it. A good teacher is able to teach their students so that those students can go on and use that knowledge to help make a difference. Ishmael understood that fact. He knew that if his students were able to teach someone else the information he has taught them, than he had succeeded as a teacher.
The continuous questions by Ishmael and rewording of questions is the main point I believe we as teachers should get out of the book. Instead of giving into students and just telling them the answer which is the easy thing for both parties it is our duty as Ishmael did to continue to change the questions till the students understand what is going on in and let them answer questions for themselves. Also on the point if the person is male or female I feel the author intentially left it open and as I read it I read it as the person speaking with Ishmael trying to answer questions before I read on even though it was quit difficult!!! Matt
Matt, your understanding of the book for this course is wonderful. Obviously there is much one can take from the story and apply to their life, but the reason I assign it as a choice read for this course is the development of the dialogue through inquiry.
Just like Lisa, I just finished reading the book myself and I am happy to see all the points that you guys touched upon. From my very own experience learning another language (spanish), I learned so much more from those professors who would not give me the "easy way out" from a situation, but rather lead me in the right direction and towards the right answer. Now that I am done with the book, I realize that this is what Ishmael was doing all along to his "student" at the same time, as Professor Hepworth mentioned, leading him/her to learn through inquiry-- asking questions and fining answers that can be applied in every life.
After reading the book I had some of the same thoughts as the rest of you. At first I thought this was a strange book. I was lost at some times throughout the book but in the end this book was summed up perfectly. I think it is a great book and a must read for all teachers. It opened up my eyes in some aspects and really shows you the impacts teachers can have on their students if they are willing to put in the time and challenge them on a daily basis.
I was glad to hear Matt felt the personal desire to keep reading, the message of learning is powerful. More importantly is what you felt from the learning and what the "story being told was."
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the jellyfish story as well as the creation myth, I didn't really see the tie in with education. After talking about it in class today I feel as though it holds a greater message then I realized. As a teacher your knowledge is not all the amount of knowledge in the world. Students must understand that you do not have all the answers, you can make mistakes, and you too will seek out new information when you don't know the answer to something. Sometimes older teachers feel like they know everything and their students couldn't possibly teach them anything. But you have to remember that you do not know everything and a good teacher will admit that and do everything in their power to find the answers to all their students questions as well as push students to seek the answers to their questions themselves. Also especially when it comes to technology oftentimes your students will know more then you do about technology and there are many things that a students can teach a teacher, if the teacher is open to the opportunity.
ReplyDelete...if the teacher is open to the opportunity...an excellent choice of words, "opportunity." WE have to make those opportunities exist and with the endless infusion of technology increasing, it is absolutely going to be even more opportunistic!
DeleteWhile reading the book, I could also tell that as it goes on, the message about learning and education may become more clear. I also agree that teachers do not know everything and need to be open to allowing their students to teach them as well. I think that when the students are aware that their teacher is willing to learn from them, the authority in the classroom shift and creates an even better learning environment. I feel that if the teacher holds all the authority in the class, then the lesson is being dictated to the students. By shifting the authority students will feel a greater sense of responsibility in their learning process, and I think it also allows the teacher to come down to the students level which can make the students feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
ReplyDeletecould not agree with you more Lauren. You could see in the book that Ishmael was definately had the authority in the classroom, however if his student was having trouble gaining control of concepts Ishmael was trying to convey Ishmael would change thee question or re ask the question in a different way to help his student along which is something every successful teacher does.
DeleteMatt
Both of you are correct! Well said and we need to not only get to the level of our students but as you said, ALLOW ourselves to be taught by our students. I am doing it very day with our iPad initiative! Including the collaboration as we speak about the four C's
DeleteI also agree with what you are saying about Ishmael, what I really liked about the book was at times the pupil was very confused about what Ishmael was saying. I liked that Ishmael challenged him/her to take the time to come up with the answers. Very easily Ishmael could have given away all the answers.
DeleteIshmael also works very hard to get his students to think and problem solve. He uses a lot of examples to help guide his pupil but he never really tells him an answer right away. You can tell that Ishmael believes the message he is trying to convey will be much more powerful if the pupil himself discovers it. In essence Ishmael is using Inquiry based learning techniques.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with this, the best learning is done through critical thinking and even though an answer may seem so far away once the "gears" start to rotate in a students mind they can be guided down the right path of successfully answering any question. It is very true that Ishmael does this with his learners, he is getting them to think critically and analyze obtained information.
DeleteI just finished reading the article, The Road to Present Day Inquiry Based Learning, and as I was reading I was thinking that maybe it could relate to Ishmael. Your comment reminded me of the part of the article that said Moore believed "that student is taught the best who is told the least" By not giving his pupil the answer, he is guiding him in discussion and questioning. This forces his pupil to make sense of it on his own and come to a better understanding.
Delete“Ishmael” is like no book I have ever read before. At first, I could not make any sense of it. I thought that perhaps the idea of conversation between a man (or perhaps, a woman?) and a gorilla is some kind of a metaphore-- an imagination, or a dream, that the student was going through in order to arrive at some kind of a conclusion. Now, as I read more in-depth, it seems that this is an ongoing theme of the book, but what message it is trying to convey to the reader is still somewhat unclear to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone else here, teachers do need to be open minded and keep in mind that there always is space for improvement-- for teachers as well as for their students. Students should be taught to think critically and dissect the nevely learned knowledge into smaller pieces that they can apply in their lives or in their future carriers. That said, an article The Road to Present Day Inquiry-Bsed Learning states, “teachers [of mathmeatics-- but I believe that ALL teachers] should strive to create a climate of discussing, questioning, and listening in their classes” which is a perfect example of what Ishmael is doing in the book so far. I am convinced that this book has a purpose and a great lesson to teach for everyone who gets to read it. I am looking forward to learn what it is.
Many who have read the book have told me similar thoughts about not fully understanding the ideas of the whole novel, that said we can certainly talk about it further, but I care omre that you see a rich dialogue emerge and how learning can occur. Even when the conversation is at such an elementary level. I love your reply about being convinced it has a purpose, and your confidence, great job.
DeleteI finished reading Ishmael today and like Justyna I am still unsure of the message. However what did stick out to me was when Ishmael was explaining to his student what he should do next. The student was unsure of what to do with the new information he came to understand and Ishmael told him to explain it to 100 people and tell them to explain it to 100 people. He wanted to show him that the way to make a difference as an individual is to spread knowledge. Knowledge can make a huge difference in peoples lives once they obtain it. A good teacher is able to teach their students so that those students can go on and use that knowledge to help make a difference. Ishmael understood that fact. He knew that if his students were able to teach someone else the information he has taught them, than he had succeeded as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe continuous questions by Ishmael and rewording of questions is the main point I believe we as teachers should get out of the book. Instead of giving into students and just telling them the answer which is the easy thing for both parties it is our duty as Ishmael did to continue to change the questions till the students understand what is going on in and let them answer questions for themselves. Also on the point if the person is male or female I feel the author intentially left it open and as I read it I read it as the person speaking with Ishmael trying to answer questions before I read on even though it was quit difficult!!!
DeleteMatt
Matt, your understanding of the book for this course is wonderful. Obviously there is much one can take from the story and apply to their life, but the reason I assign it as a choice read for this course is the development of the dialogue through inquiry.
DeleteJust like Lisa, I just finished reading the book myself and I am happy to see all the points that you guys touched upon. From my very own experience learning another language (spanish), I learned so much more from those professors who would not give me the "easy way out" from a situation, but rather lead me in the right direction and towards the right answer. Now that I am done with the book, I realize that this is what Ishmael was doing all along to his "student" at the same time, as Professor Hepworth mentioned, leading him/her to learn through inquiry-- asking questions and fining answers that can be applied in every life.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the book I had some of the same thoughts as the rest of you. At first I thought this was a strange book. I was lost at some times throughout the book but in the end this book was summed up perfectly. I think it is a great book and a must read for all teachers. It opened up my eyes in some aspects and really shows you the impacts teachers can have on their students if they are willing to put in the time and challenge them on a daily basis.
ReplyDelete