At a recent parent teacher conference with my son’s Science teacher, I happened to notice that the best overall grade in the class was a 76. There were another two passing grades and every other student was failing!
Out of 16 students 3 (20%) were passing.
I asked the teacher about class performance.
“This is a really bad group of kids. I’m not doing anything differently than I have for the past 28 years and I’ve never had this happen before. I know it’s not me.”
You haven’t changed your approach for 28 years and you consider yourself blameless?
Let’s contrast this with Jeremiah Owyang’s moderation of a Web 2.0 Expo panel.
Jeremiah monitored Twitter while moderating the panel. As audience comments appeared saying the session was getting boring, Jeremiah shifted the focus of the speakers and addressed the comments real time.
Instead of using Twitter, he might have interpreted body language or facial expressions to figure out that a change in direction was needed (less direct, but still effective).
The point: He got customer feedback and adjusted!
If your customers are leaving, if they’re bored with your product, or if 80% of your class is failing, isn’t it time to adjust your course?
Ah, teachers. 28 years of stagnation, ya gotta love those unions!
Nice to “see” you Ann! Thanks!
Great post, Ann. Glad it inspired momentum, too… well, for YOU, at least!
Hi Ellen!
I actually brought the issue up with the guidance counselor, but I think I’m going to go to the superintendent. You are correct. This guy is really doing a lot of damage.
Nice to “see” you!
Ann
Each of these students comes to science class with at least 8 intelligences. How many is this guy drawing on in his classes. I’ve written books on teaching and assessing in intelligent-fair ways — and it seems as if he is missing the boat. why not talk to the administration! Any class that fails that many students is in joepardy and something can be done before it’s too late for those teens. Good luck Ann – your son deserves far more than this man’s burnout!
Hi Jean!
Unfortunately, I don’t think the school system is helping them much. But I can’t help but think that long before technology was available to help interpret needs, plain old fashioned observation, feedback, and adjustment were certainly available.
Even it it were just this one class – obviously something isn’t working. Wouldn’t a rational human being see that and try SOMETHING different? (OK, I’ll stop ranting).
As for Jeremiah you bring up a REALLY good point – was he only looking at Twitter or was he using that – supplemented by his observation of the audience in the room in front of him to assess overall audience satisfaction. You may be right that the squeaky wheels just got to shout out on Twitter.
Ann
PS Nice to hear (on your blog) that you’re almost done with your 3rd robot!
I was very impressed with Jeremiah Owyang’s ability to monitor Twitter and moderate the panel at the same time. Do you think his response may have been more about the squeaky wheel getting the grease rather than reacting to the overall temperature of the room?
I feel for the teacher. I think those of us who are more recent entrants into the job market are more prepared for the pace and speed of change rapidly advancing technology brings upon us. Even so, it can sure be overwhelming, if exciting at times.
What is the school system doing to identify and help such individuals to change?
Mike –
That’s perfectly to the point.
He (the teacher) was very into his subject and doesn’t seem to be able to care less about his audience (not that I’m letting my son off the hook – he has to figure out how to work around a fossilized teacher!).
Ann
How important is the message or the subject being taught?
And, how important are the people you are teaching or communicating to?
When I’m clear about the value I place on the people I’m communicating to and the importance of the message, I have no problem adjusting and changing my presentation.
The kind of “hardening of the categories” you describe here say a lot about the teacher’s deeply held beliefs about her students.
Thanks for stirring the pot!
Keep creating…your wildest dreams,
Mike
Hi Ann
Oh I wish – but alas, no SobCon08 for me I’m afraid.
Too busy and another trip to our hometown scheduled halfway this month. But have the best of times there and give everyone a big hug from me!
Karin H.
Hello Karin!
How true.
I can’t wait to see you later this week at SOBCon.
Ann
Hi Ann
But that’s too difficult, takes too much effort and besides we’ve always done it this way 😉
The best teachers, marketers, sales-persons etc know the golden rule: It’s not about me, it’s about the client – what’s his problem and how can I help solve it.
And since everyone is different, different problems a plenty – different solutions, but all one result: problem solved – knowledge absorbed, product/service bought.
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)