Wed+2-29

Read one of the two following articles and be prepared to participate in class discussion:
 * Before Class:**

1.) **The Characteristics of Effective and Ineffective Teachers** []

2.) **How to Recruit Better Teachers** http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2019663_2020590_2020588,00.html 3.) **Questions to Consider:** - In your experience, what were characteristics/ examples of effective or ineffective teachers/ teaching strategies? - What do you think the quality of educators coming in to schools is currently? - Did the amount of money you would be getting paid effect the decision you made to become a teacher? - Do you think the educational requirements necessary to become a teacher give us the tools to be effective teachers?

**In Class:**

**1.)** What were some things your teachers did in your previous classes that you thought were effective or ineffective? This does not mean that the teacher was "bad" but one who you did not necessarily learn anything from.

According to the study:

Effective teachers were those who: Cared about their students and were warm and friendly. Created a learning environment for students to succeed and were organized, prepared and clear. Were enthusiastic about learning and teaching. Emphasized activities that involved students in authentic learning, interactive questioning, and discussion. Motivated students and had little difficulty with classroom management. Required and maintained high standards of student work.

Ineffective teachers were those who: Created a tense and cold learning environment. Have and inept pedagogy, boring lectures, and an unproductive learning environment. Hated teaching, and were just going through the motions. Required isolate behavior with little interaction, activity, or discussion. Were intolerant of questions by students. Had unreasonable rules, assignments, tests, and grades. Were either dominating or had no control of classroom management.

**2.)** Watch youtube video: []

Do you agree that our current teachers are being recruited from the bottom third of their classes? Do you think that making rigid entrance requirements for teachers comparable to medical school will improve the quality of teachers? How do you think having teachers interested in the paycheck over the students will effect their learning? Would they be ineffective or effective teachers?


 * 3.)** Discuss How to Recruit Better Teachers

"But many ed schools are fusty, politicized institutions that seem designed to turn out reliable teachers'-union members rather than reliable educators. And their lecture halls aren't exactly brimming with overachievers. According to a forthcoming McKinsey & Co. study, just 23% of new teachers in the U.S. come from the top third of their college classes; 47% come from the bottom third. In other words, we hire lots of our lowest performers to teach, and then we scream when our kids don't excel."

 "Changing the profession will require changing perceptions: in a new TIME poll, 76% of respondents said many smart people don't go into teaching because it doesn't pay enough. That may be true, but most respondents in a McKinsey survey of 900 top-third college students said they believe, incorrectly, that garbage collectors are paid more than teachers."

 How can we recruit better teachers? What are some alternatives? If current teachers were given the resources, do you think they could make the changes these articles are talking about or do you agree and think we should start from scratch?

[]
 * 4.)** Watch youtube video: Teaching Promoting Critical Thinking

Do you think this pedagogy of teaching can be using in all types of schools and at all grade levels? Would a teacher using this pedagogy be considered effective or ineffective because we have to meet state mandated standards? Why or why not?