Final ImagineIT Report - Due 12/14
Summary of ImagineIT Project Phases IV and V
The dilemmas book helped me understand that the dilemmas that occur in our schools and classrooms are unique and not necessarily solvable. Each time we are subjected to a specific dilemma, most teachers feel isolated and do not share with other teachers because they feel they must handle it on their own. Some administrators and “reformers” expect teachers to “solve” their dilemmas on their own. This book should be read and discussed by all people in education in order to help understand that the dilemmas that teachers and students face in their schools and their classrooms are unique, but we should not feel alone when we are placed in such a situation.
The focus groups for the ImagineIT project helped ease my stress of implementing it. I found that the student feedback was mostly genuine. My former students helped me understand some characteristics of my own teaching that I overlook. One characteristic is that I tend to try to let every voice be heard, and tend to not limit some conversations. This has made me be more conscientious of our class discussions, not allowing my students to get off task too much.
The teacher feedback was greatly appreciated. My colleagues are awesome teachers who bring a lot to the table of chemistry education. I am usually shy in showing something new; however, I learned to step outside my comfort zone and allow myself the luxury of having so many colleagues in my discipline whose expertise is at my disposal.
The insights I have for the ImagineIT project starts with not being afraid to start something new. If it works, great! If it does not work, then fix it. We expect our students to try something new, to not be afraid to step outside their comfort zones. I was happy that my students embraced the idea. They laughed with me, and seemed to enjoy my ImagineIT video. I felt that once I put myself out there, they realized they could do it themselves. Students are still in the research phase, and will hopefully begin video production at the end of this week.
Looking forward, I hope to have enough time for my students to implement their project. As it is a project about a topic of their choosing, finding time to make sure we cover the chemistry curriculum the way it is expected is my dilemma. I cannot wait to see what my students put together, as their ideas are pretty interesting. I hope my students enjoy the experience.
The focus groups for the ImagineIT project helped ease my stress of implementing it. I found that the student feedback was mostly genuine. My former students helped me understand some characteristics of my own teaching that I overlook. One characteristic is that I tend to try to let every voice be heard, and tend to not limit some conversations. This has made me be more conscientious of our class discussions, not allowing my students to get off task too much.
The teacher feedback was greatly appreciated. My colleagues are awesome teachers who bring a lot to the table of chemistry education. I am usually shy in showing something new; however, I learned to step outside my comfort zone and allow myself the luxury of having so many colleagues in my discipline whose expertise is at my disposal.
The insights I have for the ImagineIT project starts with not being afraid to start something new. If it works, great! If it does not work, then fix it. We expect our students to try something new, to not be afraid to step outside their comfort zones. I was happy that my students embraced the idea. They laughed with me, and seemed to enjoy my ImagineIT video. I felt that once I put myself out there, they realized they could do it themselves. Students are still in the research phase, and will hopefully begin video production at the end of this week.
Looking forward, I hope to have enough time for my students to implement their project. As it is a project about a topic of their choosing, finding time to make sure we cover the chemistry curriculum the way it is expected is my dilemma. I cannot wait to see what my students put together, as their ideas are pretty interesting. I hope my students enjoy the experience.
ImagineIT Project Update - Due 11/22
At the beginning of the school year, I asked my students to reflect upon the quote by Democritus: "In order to understand the very large, we must understand the very small." During this time, my students were learning about units and how we use them in science. My goal every year is to get my students to think about things in a different way. So, I showed them Chris Jordan's photographic art, Cans Seurat. (I am unable to embed the website.) Upon observation of the photographic art of Seurat's famous painting, students realize what they are seeing is not what they think.
Since this time, my students and I have been engaged in many discussions about chemistry. They enjoy the stories of the scientists. However, chemistry is a technical and analytical science. My students need to keep up with the curriculum demands, tests, their tough course load, and many hours spent working on STEM Fair projects. On top of it, many students are involved in various extra curricular activities. To add to all of this, some students commute to and from school between 1-3 hours, round trip.
My students are amazing. When I introduced the ImagineIT project to them, they seemed enthused. I showed them my awkward video, and they like the idea even more. So, as we move through the next month of science fair and all their other responsibilities, I hope they will at least enjoy thinking outside the box. All I ask is that they look at quote in the picture above and make a creative and entertaining video about what it means to them. Production starts Monday.
Since this time, my students and I have been engaged in many discussions about chemistry. They enjoy the stories of the scientists. However, chemistry is a technical and analytical science. My students need to keep up with the curriculum demands, tests, their tough course load, and many hours spent working on STEM Fair projects. On top of it, many students are involved in various extra curricular activities. To add to all of this, some students commute to and from school between 1-3 hours, round trip.
My students are amazing. When I introduced the ImagineIT project to them, they seemed enthused. I showed them my awkward video, and they like the idea even more. So, as we move through the next month of science fair and all their other responsibilities, I hope they will at least enjoy thinking outside the box. All I ask is that they look at quote in the picture above and make a creative and entertaining video about what it means to them. Production starts Monday.