On the topic of legal issues in education I find myself worrying about the usual topics such as copyright infringement, appropriate responses to student behavior under the law, and the like.  However, the legal issue that I am most concerned with is the emphasis that the federal and state governments place on testing.  More often I am noticing that schools claim not to be teaching "to the test" and yet they do exactly that.  While I agree that many of the topics on state mandated tests are important, even crucial, they are not everything.  In my opinion a good teacher does not "teach to the test" so that a student can earn a high grade on the OGT or SAT or what have you.  A good teacher goes beyond that.  A good teacher kindles the flames of curiosity in their students, giving them a desire to learn not only the course material, but to actively seek out information and enjoy learning about it.  I do not see that kind of teaching as often as I would like, and I believe that as long as testing remains the end, and not a means to an end, that the education system will remain in its current state.  A state that is not terrible by any means, but could be so much more.

Click here for an interesting article on the potential for Skype as an educational tool, courtesy of the New York Times.

New York Times

Author: Catherine Saint Louis

Date: January 13, 2011

Summary:

By using online programs such as Skype, students are now able to take music lessons from

professors on the other side of the country. Where previously a student would have been unable

to learn how to play a specific instrument they can now find a teacher online who is able to teach

them from the opposite end of the country. This is convenient for both the student and the teacher, as they no longer have to worry about travel times, weather, or distance. It also makes music teachers more available to students and students have a wider selection of teachers to choose from.

Thoughts/Comments:

I believe this is an amazing concept. Music teachers tend to be quite specialized, and by using Skype to take lessons, students from all across the country can share in their specialization. The ability to use programs like Skype for music lessons also opens up the potential to use these programs for other lessons as well. Perhaps in the future instead of snow days schools will host online classes to prevent students from falling behind on their work. With rising gas prices, classes over the internet may sound more tempting to individuals attempting to save money, and through programs like Skype it is possible to have online classes without sacrificing the helpfulness and instruction of a live teacher. The internet is a tremendous tool when used properly, and I believe if educators can understand and effectively use programs like Skype, they cannot help but benefit students with their use.  I do believe this technology is viable as a way to further education.  While some individuals do not have internet access and more people do not have access to a web-camera, those people tend to be in the minority.  Most laptops sold today have built in web-cameras and microphones which allow the computers to access Skype, free of charge.  All that is required is internet access and a web-camera.  With these two tools that many Americans already have, classes can be brought right into the comfort of student’s homes, with a live professor available to offer personal instruction and answer questions.  

I seek to make history interesting for all students, to actively engage them in the class and kindle the flames of curiosity and interest in them in order to help the students learn in a way that is more beneficial to them.

First Post

Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Alexander crossed the Golden Horn, and I have crossed the great technological divide, with the vast unknown of blogging standing before me.  I have no army of Roman Legionaries, no phalanxes, no Companion Cavalry.  Armed with naught save the instruction I am receiving and my rapier sharp wit, I descend into this realm of excitement and madness.  Welcome to the opening of my blog.