tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post3588765162207483400..comments2023-10-11T10:57:26.122-04:00Comments on Gil The Jenius: Puerto Rico: Teaching/LearningGCSchmidthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07735900094879466498noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-76862314925703515292011-07-06T10:00:53.372-04:002011-07-06T10:00:53.372-04:00Yes, Fran, Mrs. Jenius deserves most of the credit...Yes, Fran, Mrs. Jenius deserves most of the credit and (almost) none of the blame for what The Jenius is now. As for Alfredo, he will be successful in Finland, I have no doubt. He is passionate about education and about making it a more powerful positive change agent in Puerto Rico.<br /><br />Thanks for coming back and stay in touch!GCSchmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735900094879466498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-49141064205900098232011-07-05T21:57:08.220-04:002011-07-05T21:57:08.220-04:00Your friend Alfredo is a remarkable human being. I...Your friend Alfredo is a remarkable human being. I've seen his comments before. Soldier, teacher, lifelong learner. Like my gifted Ed.D. hubby. So glad you're back -- kinder, gentler (thank you, Mrs. Jenius). I just happened to check today. Your insight resonates more now that we're on the island. Thank you. -- FranFran and Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936163125093417362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-87075254198723713462011-04-28T19:48:19.075-04:002011-04-28T19:48:19.075-04:00Thanks that's an honor.
I forgot another thi...Thanks that's an honor. <br /><br />I forgot another thing. Finland's educational system is decentralized. It let's teachers use their creativity and implement pedagogical strategies in their classrooms. It fosters the teachers' <b>pedagogical autonomy</b>. Here the Department of Education focuses more on bureaucratic paper-filling planning that leaves teacher with little time to develop creative strategies. If you cut teachers creativity, what will students get? A pedagogical program dictated from central offices by people who have spent little to no time in a real classroom.Prometeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13034098106919545458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-21361842567219373592011-04-28T19:37:43.957-04:002011-04-28T19:37:43.957-04:00Thank you. I'll follow up with this in My next...Thank you. I'll follow up with this in My next post.GCSchmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735900094879466498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-40507702593452903342011-04-28T18:51:41.515-04:002011-04-28T18:51:41.515-04:00Looking sporadically at Finland and other countrie...Looking sporadically at Finland and other countries with successful educational system Some of the things I tried to incorporate in my classroom are: <br /><br />First thing is that I don't idolize technology and don't pretend to use it as a cure-all for the problems in the classroom. Technology is a tool. Finnish schools use technology but they don't over rely on it. In this island people tend to think that computers are like magical things that will make their kids smarter. A study done in Hardvard proves otherwise. Good 'ol chalkboard and writing really puts the brains to work. <br /><br /><b>I focus more on pedagogical strategies</b> and try to find the most suitable one to use on a class. I try not to get enclosed in the Department of Education's pedagogical mold based on the USA's tried and failed but still applied theories. Finland let's it's teachers try to experiment new strategies and encourages it. ON this island it's otherwise and not fitting into the mold can get you in trouble. <br /><br />Another thing is that I try to get parents involved. But that has really proved difficult. In this island people don't really care about education. So that's an uphill battle for me. The parent that do respond and work with their kids see better results. But those are a minority. Reality is that in Puerto Rico most parent don't really care about their kids education, they just want to have the school take care of them form 8-3 and when they arrive home sit them in front of the TV until bedtime. That's the sad truth.Prometeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13034098106919545458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-66095567791362853702011-04-28T17:33:59.474-04:002011-04-28T17:33:59.474-04:00Prometeo, do Me a favor: Tell Us what you've b...Prometeo, do Me a favor: Tell Us what you've been able to apply. We need more rational and informed voices to make fundamental changes in what passes for Our educational system. Thanks!GCSchmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735900094879466498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11569206.post-4846441401759160262011-04-28T17:20:21.637-04:002011-04-28T17:20:21.637-04:00The problem with this colony is that it's eyes...The problem with this colony is that it's eyes are only to the northwest and only sees US educational policy as a model. As long as we stay looking there we will remain stuck on the muck. I've been teaching for a few years and see Finland's educational model and try to apply most of what I can into my classroom.Prometeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13034098106919545458noreply@blogger.com