Times they are a changin'!

Change is in the wind! For some time I've been thinking about some of the techniques I employ in my teaching (such as reflective writing activities) and wondering if I'm implementing them to the best of my ability.

A little bit of background: over the years I've used reflective writing in many forms. The impetus to use writing activities is from research I've encountered and also from my own experience- I found that articulating my experiences in words helped me understand them better and also helped me make connections between different topics.

While at Paul Smith's College I began using Paul Hickman's Interactive Collaborative Electronic Learning Logs (ICE Learning Logs for short) on a daily basis. I continued this when I moved to the secondary level albeit on a weekly basis to save time. I continue to be pressed for time, and sadly admit that I have done away with regular writing activities in my Regents Physics classes entirely in order to cover material more rapidly. I still use reflective activities with my advanced classes.

My AP Physics students reflect quarterly on their performance in class. My AP Calculus students reflect on a weekly basis in an alternating format: one week is a private discussion between the student and I in a shared google doc, and the following week is a group discussion board where students post anonymously (though I know who each author is).

I feel as though these activities are quite valuable, both for learning content and for helping students come to see themselves as part of the science/math community. However, I do not have concrete evidence to back this up- just my observations and anecdotal statements from students.

Cut back to the present: I've decided to take the plunge to start work on a doctorate so I can find out for myself what helps my students learn best. I've found a home at the Science and Mathematics Education Research Group in the Department of Integrated Studies at McGill University. I'm thrilled to be opening a new chapter in my career and am also lucky to have been granted a leave of absence from my current teaching position to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.

I'll do my best to keep up with this blog and share new ideas as I come across them- maybe I'll even do a better job than I have as of late!