6pm CET/ 12pm EST Edchat Summary
Last evening’s #edchat summary was another lively event with fast and furious discussion and lots of ideas, opinions and information shared as ever! This topic comes up often with teachers, learners and parents constantly struggling to fit all they have to do into a day and still have time to ‘stand and stare’.
I’m not sure there was a consensus, but the main points which recurred were:
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Shouldn’t we be looking at the whole school day/year concept and decide if it is still a suitable model for the 21 century?
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How would the extra hours/days be used – we don’t want/need more of the same
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Use extra time for teacher development and learning
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Consider year-round schooling
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The importance of good discussion before considering change and involving all parties (parents, learners, teachers, admin, authorities)
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The use of technology as away of extending learning beyond the school/college gates
What some participants had to say.
| colonelb |
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@ShellTerrell Yes, but only if quality of learning improves along with it. #edchat |
| colonelb |
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I’m also wondering why we have to continue to think in terms of traditional school days and years. Progress as you learn. #edchat |
| clarkmusic |
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School day is already long, if you include homework. Retention might improve if year is broken up differently. #edchat |
| DeronDurflinger |
– #edchat I don’t know if the answer is a longer day/year, but we need to be more flexible in how we use our time. |
| kmadolf |
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Eistein’s def of insanity: Doing things the way we’ve always done them & expecting diff results. Longer school day/year fits def. #edchat |
| malcolmbellamy |
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upils are better off with short bursts of quality than long periods of boredom #edchat |
| web20classroom |
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I believe many teachers would favor a long day or year if it meant more time for meaningful instruction… #edchat |
| bgillett |
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Learning needs to encompass more than just 7:30-2:30 each day. #edchat |
| cybraryman1 |
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The real answer is what and how knowledge is being taught. The length of day & year is not the problem. #edchat |
| irasocol |
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@rliberni Only if it is a completely different school: architecturally, systematically, curricularly, assessmentally #edchat |
| kmadolf |
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Rather than lengthening day/year, should consider year-round schooling. #edchat |
| kylepace |
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@ShellTerrell Some teachers say they would be in favor of year round school with multiple 2-3 week breaks. Anyone doing this? #edchat |
| web20classroom |
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RT @colonelb:Im also wondering why we have to continue to think in terms of traditional school days and years.Progress as you learn. #edchat |
| andi1984 |
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All the organisatorical stuff can be better discussed without wasting too much precious time. #edchat |
| esolcourses |
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@rliberni Not in favour of it. Don’t think a longer school day is the answer. IME, many kids struggle to maintain focus as it is #edchat |
| hadleyjf |
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#edchat Following the conversation with my 8th graders |
| SimpleK |
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@ShellTerrell We had year-round school here a few years ago. it was great. My son did much better with shorter more frequent brks #edchat |
| web20classroom |
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RT @bgillett: Learning needs to encompass more than just 7:30-2:30 each day. #edchat |
| edtechsteve |
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We need to prove we can use the time we NOW have right before we add a single minute #edchat |
| mtrump |
12/8/2009 |
12:04 PM |
RT @ShellTerrell: Which do you prefer a longer day or year? #edchat – Neither |
| MatthiasHeil |
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Ideally, borders between “learning” and “holidays” should dissolve. #edchat |
| SErwin |
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I think we need to become more efficient. #edchat |
| kmadolf |
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Traditional model based on agrarian calendar – what a concept to design schools to fit THIS century’s realities. #edchat |
| sudam09 |
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Eduation should not be a commercial activity and hence private participation should be discouraged. Govt should run the ed Instns. #edchat |
| tamaslorincz |
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Unfortunately in my neck of the woods the less time students spend at school the more they can learn ;-( #edchat |
| daveandcori |
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#edchat effective use of time is needed too. And, use technology to “extend the school day” |
| MrR0g3rs |
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@kylepace no! less physical time in school. schedule now is based on an ancient paradigm set up to protect sacred cows #edchat |
| irasocol |
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I favor 24/7 year-round secondary school buildings, but with student choice of hours-like unis-and lots of study/recreation options #edchat |
| tamaslorincz |
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The more I look at the damage we do to tyhe students the less I believe in schools.Schools should’ve redefinded themselves by now. #edchat |
| SErwin |
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I have gained more knowledge outside of my normal schooling than within. Ex – Why r we using twitter? Students must do same #edchat |
| kylepace |
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If e-learning for students isn’t a way to go, maybe e-learning PD for teachers to give more instructional time and less pull out? #edchat |
| EnglishProfi |
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@rliberni A longer school day/year would have to have more pay or more teachers. #edchat |
| evab2001 |
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RT @ShellTerrell The problem with longer hrs is that children have less time with their families #edchat |
| iMrsF |
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RT @rliberni: How about virtual classrooms that offer options to kids/students after ‘school’? #edchat |
| cristinaluminea |
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RT @colonelb: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Einstein #edchat |
This is just a flavour. For the complete transcript see here
If you want stats on participation in #edchat see here
@hadleyjf was participating with Grade 8 students and we look forward to her survey results on their opinions of #edchat (they liked the idea of 4 days of school followed by 3 days off and a shorter summer holiday)
@techmunoz polled a middle school class (also watching – I think) and they preferred a longer day to changing the summer holiday
We also had some fabulous links provided – great information!
Links shared
| socratech |
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Our charter network: http://www.kipp.org has been successful implementing longer school days: 7:00-5:00 everyday with Sat schools. #edchat |
| elanaleoni |
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The Race to Nowhere talks about the issues we’ve talked about on #edchat. You can request a screening 4 your school. http://www.racetonowhere.com/ |
| kylepace |
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RT @socratech: Tracking An Emerging Movement: A Report on Expanded Time Schools in America #edchat http://ow.ly/JXh8 |
| timesed |
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@nothingfuture #edchat – Some historians think the link between agriculture and the school year is a myth, anyway http://bit.ly/5BNkPa |
New to Edchat?
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