Adora Svitak’s TED Talk (Wow -- What an impressive 12 year old!) resonated deeply with me and had me reflecting on my practice, proudly at times. One of Ms. Svitak’s chief arguments is that adults need to be learning from kids, just as much as the reverse. Immediately I thought of my action research, and how I will be collecting data directly from my students, such as which fitness apps they prefer to use, and ultimately learning about my practice from them. If there is one thing this young speaker makes very clear, it's that adults can learn from kids. Not only does she clearly express that with her words, the whole talk quite literally demonstrates that a 12 year old can offer a lot of great knowledge. Ms. Svitak also points out that oftentimes kids have restrictions placed on them which underestimate their abilities and inhibit their growth. She goes on to say that instead of restricting them with rules and underestimating students’ abilities, we need to take their wishes into consideration. I always try to create more student buy-in by collaboratively creating class norms with them early on every school year. I’ve always believed that students will treat me with more respect if I treat them more like “adults” than “kids.” Teachers who flex their power on students with unnecessary rules are only creating restrictions and hard feelings. I’ve seen teachers go too hard with rules and expectations early on in the school year, only to immediately lose buy-in from too many of their students. A very wise colleague once said to me: “Students don’t follow rules because the teacher repeats the rules all the time. Students are much more likely to follow the rules simply if they like your class and want to be there.” Sir Ken Robinson's TED Talk, “How to Escape Education’s Death Valley,” caught my attention the second he gave PE a shoutout: “A real education has to give equal weights to the arts, the humanities, to physical education.” Woohoo! In all seriousness, I became a PE teacher because like Mr Robinson, I believe it is often overlooked, yet invaluable to a child’s development -- both physically and social-emotionally! Mr. Robinson’s point that “[Great teachers] are not there to pass on received information. Great teachers…...mentor, stimulate, provoke, engage” had me drawing parallels to similar arguments presented by Falk and Blumenreich, McDowell and Darling-Hammond. I’ve always tried my best to limit the amount of class time spent giving direct instruction to students, while maximizing their time learning and growing through play and exercise. By putting my trust in students, treating them with respect, allowing them to have a voice in my class, and by making my class as enjoyable as possible for everybody, I hope I am taking the right steps towards putting them on the path to a successful future.
1 Comment
Laurie J. Gaynor
9/16/2020 03:50:35 pm
Hi Dustin,
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About Dustin Green:High School PE Teacher Archives
March 2021
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