Educational Insanity

That’s the question/title of an interesting “discussion” among the Teacher Leaders Network, a partner of Teacher Magazine.  You can read the discussion and comments here.  The part of the discussion excerpted online began with a question based on Karl Fisch’s award-winning blog post in 2007.

The social scientist in me is left wondering about the representativeness of this group of teacher leaders.  In research-y terms, I suppose I’m asking if there is selection bias here.  Regardless, I find the range of responses pretty fascinating.  What about you?  Do you think the responses of these teachers is representative of the teachers you know?

1. Janene says:

   March 15, 2008 at 12:56 am

   I think the nature of TLN somewhat lends itself to teachers who are open-minded to technology and improving education/teaching/learning in general. It is an online community which takes time, motivation, interest, and some skills to navigate and manage. This may mean that the active members include a high percentage who are comfortable, savvy, and actually leading the way in exploring technology tools. I think some of the discussions on the TLN listserv and relationships that have developed probably have encouraged the growth and learning in this area.

   In this little snippet of a discussion, you do see teachers looking for balance, questioning and reflecting on technology integration, and admitting their own insecurities and concerns about being overwhelmed with change…which is fairly consistent with what I have observed in a large number of teachers with whom I work. In the teachers I know, there is a very small percentage that are completely resistant to change and really, their professional growth in any area.