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7:40 pm
June 11, 2010
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This is a blog I wrote about the goings on in the shop classes I teach. While I was writing it I was actually thinking of a discussion I had with Larry some time ago. I hope you find it interesting. Todd
10:29 pm
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March 30, 2010
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Excellent!
Todd Miller;16778 wrote: This is a blog I wrote about the goings on in the shop classes I teach. While I was writing it I was actually thinking of a discussion I had with Larry some time ago. I hope you find it interesting. Todd
7:17 pm
October 19, 2011
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Todd Miller;16778 wrote: This is a blog I wrote about the goings on in the shop classes I teach. While I was writing it I was actually thinking of a discussion I had with Larry some time ago. I hope you find it interesting. Todd
I still stand on my comment on the Bladesmith's forum...kids gotta learn real stuff !!!!
2:07 am
December 12, 2010
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What is real stuff? No one knows what course or road where it may end up or a path may lead. I think allowing the kids to have the freedom to explore and discover may be the best thing they learn. For some, who don't excel in academic circles, and may feel like they aren't smart enough in comparison, may just be lucky enough to have a teacher that teaches/allows them to THINK. It does take time to develop a creative mind, and what some need is time to think about it. Sorry, about the rant.
3:32 am
June 11, 2010
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Thanks for the comments.
Clifford, from your post on BLadesmith Forums, I think you and Dave actually have pretty much the same idea.
Clifford was making the distinction between the virtual and the "real." I have mixed feelings about kids and computers. I see both the good and bad of them, but in my classes I lean big time on "real' experiences, building real things, manipulating real objects, doing hands-on labs because I figure there is no shortage of simulated virtual experiences out in the rest of the world. There was a comment on the other forum that it is hard to get kids to do hands on things. What I find, as a teacher, is that I have some difficulty getting kids to take my classes, part of that is that I expect them to work every day, but when they do take the plunge into hands-on activities it is hard to stop them.
I have one of my woodshop classes first period and the school announcements are read then. I have given up trying to get the kids to listen to them because before I have taken roll, the saws are running, kids are hammering and a lot of noise is being made. What teacher wants to put an end to that?
It is actually quite a sight to see. Not all my classes are like that unfortunately.
TOdd
5:49 am
June 1, 2010
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Wow Todd I really liked the description of class on smelting. How did that turn out?
7:14 pm
October 19, 2011
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Todd Miller;16794 wrote: Thanks for the comments.
Clifford, from your post on BLadesmith Forums, I think you and Dave actually have pretty much the same idea.
Clifford was making the distinction between the virtual and the "real." I have mixed feelings about kids and computers. I see both the good and bad of them, but in my classes I lean big time on "real' experiences, building real things, manipulating real objects, doing hands-on labs because I figure there is no shortage of simulated virtual experiences out in the rest of the world. There was a comment on the other forum that it is hard to get kids to do hands on things. What I find, as a teacher, is that I have some difficulty getting kids to take my classes, part of that is that I expect them to work every day, but when they do take the plunge into hands-on activities it is hard to stop them.
I have one of my woodshop classes first period and the school announcements are read then. I have given up trying to get the kids to listen to them because before I have taken roll, the saws are running, kids are hammering and a lot of noise is being made. What teacher wants to put an end to that?
It is actually quite a sight to see. Not all my classes are like that unfortunately.TOdd
Thanks for pointing that out Todd I personally see kids getting so obsessed with computer generated crap that they lose sight on what is really out there to do and experience, that in my opinion kills the ability to expand their creative thinking and abilities. Computers have a usefullnes but also their pit falls, some parents and teachers fail to see that and in that short sightedness fail the child's need to learn and create.
That is my $.02 for what it's worth.....
5:03 am
June 11, 2010
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Mills,
The smelting project is still a work in progress. We talked about it in my materials science class last year. Some of the class worked after school and got started sorting ore, making DARC dirt and getting wood for charcoal. But we never got to actually smelting. I am going to run it by the physics class I teach this year, as they are a real excited and involved bunch. So I hope it still happens but like I posted in the blog, teenagers have short attention spans. And I'm really not sure they are any shorter than when I was one many years ago.
Todd
8:42 pm
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April 26, 2010
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Todd,
Only nitpicky thing I have to say about the blog post is this: I see the young lady's skull project as indeed being practical. She's learning wood carving and feline skull physiognomy. And she's making a tool which, if successful, could teach feline skull physiognomy to others.
I wish there were more teachers like you out there! Our young need folk like you.
No matter where you go... there you are.
7:19 pm
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April 19, 2010
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Thanks for sharing that Todd, great blog
5:53 am
June 1, 2010
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Same thing here, I have an invitation to anyone interested to stop by and lets do something fun and educational. Very few show up twice.
3:00 am
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July 19, 2011
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Todd,
I am glad that I read your blog. Teachers make all the difference in the world. About the time of Noah, when I went to high school, we had two shop teachers. Metalshop/auto shop and wood shop. The woodshop guy was hands on, safety oriented, plan the work, work the plan. Great guy and I learned that I would never be a wood worker. The metalshop guy was one of the football coachs and his shop was a hideout for the football and basketball players. If you were not a ball player you were not welcome. Well, I learned to hate football and basketball and have made a pretty good liveing working matal of one kind or another. But it was the woodshop teacher that taught me the most. We need more teachers like you.:)
7:04 am
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March 10, 2011
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Todd, that was an awesome read. Thanks for sharing. And I hope your cougar skull carver keeps going... That sounds rad!
Anne
10:30 pm
July 15, 2012
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Anne Bujold;16957 wrote: Todd, that was an awesome read. Thanks for sharing. And I hope your cougar skull carver keeps going... That sounds rad!
Anne
I agree Anne, Not all the students share the same interest. Very good blog Todd.
Try not to spend $.10 worth of time to do $10.00 job.
If you have time to kill work it to death.[FONT=arial][/FONT]
11:32 pm
June 11, 2010
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Thanks all for the encouragement. Since this is a forum for people who make things, people here appreciate making things and get it. I think it is pretty universal actually. In education circles one hears a lot about how to get kids engaged. The newest technologies in the classroom, computers, iPads, iPods, WIIs, cell phones, smart boards, this app that app, you name it, are sold as the magic bullet to get kids interested. And sold they are, there is big money behind this pressure.
But what every teacher notices, if they notice anything at all, is that when kids are actually making things, creating things, be it a book case or acting out a Shakespeare play it is not a problem to get kids involved. You don't need to get in the arms race of the latest and greatest technology to do those things. Which is not to say that some kids don't excel at technological pursuits. It is just that as a teacher I sometimes get the impression that since I am using technology that was invented in, or before, the 19th century, bandsaws, tablesaws, chisels ... people tend to think it all rather quaint, but wonder when these kids will learn skills for the 21st century. I think they are.
Just a mini-rant
Todd
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