tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12044401.post2680934691451225521..comments2023-10-28T09:27:04.048-04:00Comments on Tutor Mentor Institute, LLC: Out of Box thinking needed to improve learningTutor Mentor Connectionshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02140800580077672326noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12044401.post-78762311527953662052007-03-21T10:28:00.000-04:002007-03-21T10:28:00.000-04:00Thanks Barbara. I hope you'll join the forums at h...Thanks Barbara. I hope you'll join the forums at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org and try to find a way to participate in the conferences at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org<BR/><BR/>I think there is a built in resistance among many adults, not just teachers, to using the internet in all of the ways it's being used by some teachers and leaders. <BR/><BR/>While I spend lots of time coaching and mentoring others, I think we have to build habits of elearning and collaboration starting with children. <BR/><BR/>If kids learn these habits as they grow up, and learn to use these tools to solve problems or innovate new ways to make the world a better place, they will apply these talents as adults.<BR/><BR/>While these habits can be learned in school, it's just as likely they can be learned in non-school programs where the people modling these uses of technology are people who use the technology every day on their jobs. <BR/><BR/>Thus, what can we do to convince the education policy makers that support of volunteer-based non-school tutor/mentoring is essential to building skills and aspirations that are not consistently modeled by parents and neighbors in the community (because of poverty) or the schools (because of lack of exposure and lack of time).<BR/><BR/>I predict a near future when the web sites created by kids, both in schools, and in non school programs, are models that teachers and others are learning from.Tutor Mentor Connectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02140800580077672326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12044401.post-90798850859388918992007-03-20T23:39:00.000-04:002007-03-20T23:39:00.000-04:00I just learned about your forum and tutormentor.or...I just learned about your forum and tutormentor.org from you from Omidyar.net. Thanks! I also work with teachers in high poverty schools who try to challenge at-risk students. We work with new teachers and administrator programs around the country. Because of NCLB - accountability issues - teachers are concerned more about keeping test scores up so they can keep their jobs and schools open. High poverty schools are at-risk. We train mentors who then work with teachers on-site and online who want to find strategies to engage their students. This is tough! Yes - agree about thinking out of the box and outside of school but still want to find a way to motivate students anytime of the day. <BR/><BR/> Teachers love to collaborate (but are not sure how or have the time) and want to learn from each other (but need a guide to help them find others like them). That's why I created an online learning community for educators <A HREF="http://my-ecoach.com/" REL="nofollow"> My eCoach</A>) where some groups are reaching out to the community to make the curriculum come alive. Several schools in Florida are focusing on six 6-week cross-age cross curriculum projects. Think weather reports by Kindergartners videotaped by high schoolers based on data collected by 6th graders from their weather station. Cool eh? <BR/><BR/>I love the idea of using graphics and have a builder that allows teachers to create websites that upload graphics, podcasts, videos, embedded code, links and more - align to standards - collaborate - share resources. Check out <A HREF="http://blanton.my-ecoach.com/" REL="nofollow"> Donna's Class Site</A>. Willing to share more if interested. Thanks!Barbara Brayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348515432930791265noreply@blogger.com