I just can’t get enough of great stuff to pass along this morning. That voice in the wilderness and Cool Cat Teacher, Vicki Davis, has published a battle cry for teachers. I’m including part of it here and slightly reformatted. There is a lot in these few words that we’ve been spending megabytes to talk about. You can read here entire blog entry at We will educate by any means necessary: if that means video games, bring it on!
By any means necessary must become the battle cry of teachers.
We will educate by any means necessary!
We will leave behind our preconceived notions!
We will go into territory where we do not feel comfortable!
We will go where our students congregate and interact!
We will do what it takes to reach the most disconnected and connected generation in history.Education is a perpetual crisis that always leaves us one generation from anarchy!
Teaching must be done by
ethical,
wise,
people of character
who have education of their topic as their aim
and any means necessary as their methodology.
Outstanding!
Technorati Tags: education, coolcatteacher, technology, warlick
I love your reformatting, it almost looks poetic. I’m going to go back and do a little reediting!
And now it’s time to play, “Who’s the Poet?”.
When I read David’s post (I read his first, sorry Vicki), I thought what a poet Vicki had become. So then of course I read Vicki’s and I wondered if David had some sort of formatting issue with wacky line breaks in unfortunate but poetic places… naw, I thought, David’s not sloppy like that. Then back to Vicki’s post a little later, now influenced by David’s interpretation… How very interesting, the poetry of web 2.0 – collaborative, of course. Thanks to you both!
🙂
I’m sorry but as a teacher I respectfully disagree with the Battle Cry. Pardon me, if this seems too confrontational.
I feel this is not the Battle Cry of all teachers. I disagree with by any means necessary, we will leave behind our preconceived notions.
I disagree the Battle Cry in that I feel that teachers should maintain Best Practices while integrating technology. Clear learning objectives and opportunities need to be taken into consideration with technology, especially when integrating innovative technologies. I feel it is best to link standards with technology in lesson planning and to advocate technology integration when approaching administrators.
Benchmarks are important as teachers are expected to prepare our students for state tests etc…Such a radical battle cry makes it hard for administrators to take seriously teachers who would like to integrate innovative technologies throughout their academic curriculum.
By any means necessary is not always the best means…especially for students with special needs.
Furthermore, Mavis Beacon is a software (i.e. drill) which is quite different than a video game.
http://www.childrenssoftwareonline.com/Default.aspx?m=item&pID=40
Peshette (2006) Can Games Be Used to Teach? points out that not all games are equal ( i.e. Bloom’s Taxonomy). A point to consider.
Here’s a really great article by Terry Freedman on Technology and Pedagogy. Something to keep in mind:
http://terry-freedman.org.uk/artman/publish/printer_817.php
In sum, while I do admire Vicki’s enthusiasm and much of her writings. I disagree with the Battle Cry of Teachers. So, we can choose to disagree.
Respectfully,
Mechelle
Mechelle,
I would never ever ever ever abandon best practices. Everything we do at our school is research based.
This was my feelings and in no way intended to be a comprehensive tome on implementing technology in the classroom.
I do, however, believe that at some point that we must look at best practices and see how new technologies apply, otherwise how will the new stuff ever be best practices? Whose going to try it first.
And mavis beacon is a video game. HAve you played it lately? They actually have almost 30 games and my students call it the typing video game.
I am concerned that semantics may hinder your missing the point. I have two sons both with prescriptions. My sixth grader has a laptop and we have integrated it into everything he does to assist with his prescription.
I will do whatever it takes to educate them and every other child in my classroom. I will be open minded to new technologies if they fit in with the research that we employ on genuine assessment, cooperative learning, etc.
By any means necessary does not mean slovely implementation, laziness, or internet without intention. Everything is planned. Everything has intention. Everything has purpose.
However, with technology we must remember that technology is a conduit. It is not a static thing we can study like everything else we’re used to in education. So, while research is important, research is often outdated the moment it hits the press. Educators must be willing to venture ahead with a purpose.
So, I guess we disagree Mechelle, but I’m not sure on what. I have a feeling you didn’t go back and look at my entire post and perhaps took me out of context since you commented on Dave’s blog and not mine.