bogusia's blog

When I took my education degree, there was a lot of talk about Student-Centered teaching versus Subject-Centered teaching versus Teacher-Centered teaching. I was very young and fresh out of my physics / math degree (where the "real learning" took place); I felt that all this talk on "Teaching" was mumbo-jumbo. I really didn't care about whether I taught the subject, or whether I taught the students. I just wanted to get my certificate so that I could teach math and science in the high schools. The education degree itself was, for me (the young me) a huge waste of time.

This past year was the first year ever I gave up on a student.

I came across this video when I was over at Passon for Puzzles. This is one of the coolest sketching software / smartboard things ever, and I could see myself using this tool in my physics class or science class all the time. Since I love to draw and teach by sketching, with this software, I could actually get my sketches to move - properly. I love it! I was in awe when I watched this video. Take a peak if you have a few minutes to spare:

For the final project this year, I made my grade 8 students make a Rube Goldberg machine. First, I taught all the simple machines, and then, as a cumulation to the unit, I told them that they had to use all of the machines in their Rube Goldberg machine project - Objective: to build a Rube Goldberg machine with at least 10 steps to light a candle. It had a few restrictions: but mainly the size of 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet. (The outline of the project is attached.)

Of course I had to inspire them with a "The Best Rube Goldberg Contraption Ever" You Tube video:

Check this out: China earthquake: Teacher admits leaving pupils behind as he fled Chinese earthquake

{When the quake struck, rather than overseeing an orderly evacuation, he said he just shouted "Stay calm, it's an earthquake!" and ran for it without looking back to see if his pupils were following.