Comments on: Speedlinking: The Textbook of the Future http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/ The life and times of an English teacher in Mexico City Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:37:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: Charles http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-657 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:28:11 +0000 http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-657 I don't disagree on making school relevant as possible, but I'm not sure that the classroom can reflect "real life." In "real life," one has one job and focuses on that job. Most students in school don't know what they want to do. In fact, I'm still working on what I want to be when I grown up. :) Along those lines, school attempts to give a broad grounding in many areas so that students can go in different directions at some time in the future, which means that much of what is learned becomes irrelevant at some point in time. I've studied 6 languages, have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology, took calculus and linear algebra ... and I use none of that in teaching first-year composition for ESL students. Well, the language study reminds me of how difficult learning a language is, but it doesn't directly inform my teaching practice. P.S. All of your "most popular posts" link to this particular post. I don’t disagree on making school relevant as possible, but I’m not sure that the classroom can reflect “real life.” In “real life,” one has one job and focuses on that job. Most students in school don’t know what they want to do. In fact, I’m still working on what I want to be when I grown up. :) Along those lines, school attempts to give a broad grounding in many areas so that students can go in different directions at some time in the future, which means that much of what is learned becomes irrelevant at some point in time. I’ve studied 6 languages, have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in biology, took calculus and linear algebra … and I use none of that in teaching first-year composition for ESL students. Well, the language study reminds me of how difficult learning a language is, but it doesn’t directly inform my teaching practice.

P.S. All of your “most popular posts” link to this particular post.

]]> by: Jennifer http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-604 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 20:13:08 +0100 http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-604 I think textbooks are just one tool in education, and have a place in supporting the curriculum. Textbooks, as previously stated, should not be the the only focus of providing students with information on a subject. I think textbooks are just one tool in education, and have a place in supporting the curriculum. Textbooks, as previously stated, should not be the the only focus of providing students with information on a subject.

]]> by: Kevin Crosby http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-600 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:20:30 +0100 http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-600 I think books should not be a focus in the classroom because most students take the textbook out of content. I don't teach from a book I make content relevant to real world situation as much as possible so when the students look at the book they get confused to what is being taught in class. I think books should not be a focus in the classroom because most students take the textbook out of content. I don’t teach from a book I make content relevant to real world situation as much as possible so when the students look at the book they get confused to what is being taught in class.

]]> by: Ms. Whatsit http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-588 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 13:32:07 +0100 http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-588 Absolutely! When kids can make connection and find relevance in the curriculum, they experience richer learning experiences. I often wonder if this lack of connection is the real reason why so many adults criticize public education and educators. Pedagogy has grown and evolved so much over the past few decades, and I wish that the naysayers could understand that. Absolutely! When kids can make connection and find relevance in the curriculum, they experience richer learning experiences.

I often wonder if this lack of connection is the real reason why so many adults criticize public education and educators. Pedagogy has grown and evolved so much over the past few decades, and I wish that the naysayers could understand that.

]]> by: Katie http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-587 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:16:06 +0100 http://teacherindevelopment.blogsome.com/2007/08/13/speedlinking-the-textbook-of-the-future/#comment-587 Hey, I'm glad you liked the post! I should give all credit to Alex Case because I just wrote about his article...but it's nice to know people are reading the tefl logue! It's an interesting point about books...I'm in Eastern Europe and books like Cutting Edge and Headway do seem fairly well-suited to what students need (not perfect but okay - some levels more than others). But tests in both of these books are still much more grammar-oriented than the focus of the class, and I think that needs to be addressed at a higher level than by each individual teacher finding some way around it... Anyway - I look forward to seeing your post on this! Hey, I’m glad you liked the post! I should give all credit to Alex Case because I just wrote about his article…but it’s nice to know people are reading the tefl logue!

It’s an interesting point about books…I’m in Eastern Europe and books like Cutting Edge and Headway do seem fairly well-suited to what students need (not perfect but okay - some levels more than others). But tests in both of these books are still much more grammar-oriented than the focus of the class, and I think that needs to be addressed at a higher level than by each individual teacher finding some way around it…

Anyway - I look forward to seeing your post on this!

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