[ProfessionalDevelopment 2278] Re: Whatdo wemeanbystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?Jane Greiner jgreiner at proliteracy.orgMon Jul 14 09:19:28 EDT 2008
Hi Cynthia and all, Thanks for the question about PD that supports teachers' critical thinking skills. My concern is not that teachers do not think critically, but that the time and institutional support available for critical reflection on practice is not always available - for myriad reasons. Study circle, action research, and peer mentoring all seem to be ways to do this, but all require lots of back-up from the organizations. I'm particularly interested in how technology and onine forums can be used to support teachers' critical thinking about their practice. Jane Jane Greiner Professional Development Coordinator ProLiteracy -----Original Message----- From: Cynthia Peters [mailto:cynthia_peters at worlded.org] Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 10:18 AM To: professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2258] Re:Whatdo wemeanbystudentinvolvement and critical thinking? Philip -- I think what you're raising is important. Can you share any strategies you've used to help students feel comfortable expressing what they know about the world? Also, do you have any thoughts on how to do PD in a way that develops *teachers'* critical thinking skills. I do believe it's a skill for all of us to be honing all the time. Cynthia >>> "Anderson, Philip" <Philip.Anderson at fldoe.org> 07/10/08 5:09 PM >>> Good points, Andy. I appreciate your response. I think I should have said that their critical thinking skills lead them to hide what they know about the world - it is a strategy that has kept them safe in situations that they felt may pose danger. What I think we might need to include in PD is the fact that adult ELLs, no matter their level, often have good critical thinking skills. Some teachers may at times perceive the low level adult ELL students as persons who are underdeveloped in their critical thinking skills, and not, as you said, the same as they are, people who do have critical thinking skills even though they may apply them inconsistently, and who could perhaps benefit from thinking in new and varied ways. CONTACT INFORMATION Philip Anderson Adult ESOL Program Florida Department of Education Tel (850) 245-9450 Please take a few minutes to provide feedback on the quality of service you received from our staff. The Department of Education values your feedback as a customer. Commissioner of Education Dr. Eric J. Smith is committed to continuously assessing and improving the level and quality of services provided to you.Simply use the link below. Thank you in advance for completing the survey. http://data.fldoe.org/cs/default.cfm?staff=Philip.Anderson@fldoe.org|17:04:04%20Thu%2010%20Jul%202008 -----Original Message----- From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Andy Nash Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:16 PM To: professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2253] Re: Whatdo wemeanbystudentinvolvement and critical thinking? Hmm, I see it more as a matter of being inconsistent in where and how we use those critical thinking skills. I consider myself a pretty critical thinker, but there are many times I'll hear someone else questioning something that I bought hook, line, and sinker - I didn't think at all critically about it. I believe that adult students are the same, which is why it's useful to invite critical thinking in new and varied areas. Andy Nash >>> "Anderson, Philip" <Philip.Anderson at fldoe.org> 07/10/08 3:46 PM >>> What I am getting at here is that it may be important to recognize that adult ELLs brim with critical thinking skills, but they also have developed a (survival?) technique for hiding these skills from those they perceive to be in authority and have more "school knowledge" than they have. Our professional development system may need to be sure to prepare teachers for working successfully with these students. CONTACT INFORMATION Philip Anderson Adult ESOL Program Florida Department of Education Tel (850) 245-9450 ---------------------------------------------------- National Institute for Literacy Adult Literacy Professional Development mailing list professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/professionaldevelopment Professional Development section of the Adult Literacy Education Wiki http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Adult_Literacy_Professional_Devel opment ---------------------------------------------------- National Institute for Literacy Adult Literacy Professional Development mailing list professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/professionaldevelopment Professional Development section of the Adult Literacy Education Wiki http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Adult_Literacy_Professional_Development
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