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Readers' Survey 2007: Best Blog for Educators
Edutopia readers weigh in on their favorites.
by Edutopia Staff
2¢ Worth
Tech-savvy soothsayer David Warlick walks away with it. Warlick's lively blend of wit and wisdom nicely complements his focus on modern thinking and design in the classroom. Warlick's approach is fresh and forward looking, but he also spent more than thirty years working with public schools, so he leavens his visionary ideas with the grit of reality. Says Warlick, "My goal is to inspire and energize with ideas and possibilities that will challenge [people] to expand their perceptions of teaching and learning, and dare to consider our professional future with optimism and excitement." Amen to that. Other popular blogs included Eduwonk, Edublogs, and Edutopia.org's own Spiral Notebook.
Our Take
Blog Wrangler
So many blogs, so little time. If you're interested in the latest blog blather about a specific topic, no matter who is writing about it, get thyself over to Google Alerts, which automatically emails you when new Google results for your search terms occur in its News, Web, Blogs, and Groups directories. The Google folks say many alerts are set up by people monitoring a developing news story, keeping current on a competitor or an industry, tracking medical advances, or getting the latest on a celebrity or a sports team -- or, may we suggest, staying abreast of educational developments.
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2007 Readers' Survey Home Page
Novice vs. Expert Teacher
Submitted by Janida Yancy (not verified) on October 2, 2008 - 19:20.
I have been teaching for 19 years, and I know I am still learning more each year. Can a second year teacher be an expert teacher? I truly believe it takes several years to reach the expert level. What works for one group of students may not work for another group. What worked well last year, may not work the next year. The expert teacher is able to identify many problems before they happen and come up with creative ways to handle the situation. The novice teacher has to learn this, and you don't learn this overnight. However, the beginning teacher is a breathe of fresh air. They come in with so much enery and creative ideas that I have incooperated in my classroom.
Novice vs Expert
Submitted by Andrew (not verified) on October 2, 2008 - 16:49.
As a third year teacher, I believe I have left the realm of novice teacher and started a journey to become an expert. However, I don’t believe I will ever truly reach expert. Let me explain. The concept of expert, at least to me, is one who is thoroughly familiar with a subject, or task, and has all the knowledge and experience to answers any question. In education there are always new approaches to teaching. With new strategies to incorporate into your lesson, and of course, an ever-changing technology proficient student, how can anyone ever expect to become an expert! My goal is to continue to learn, to constantly hone my skills. While this approach may not make me an expert, I will keep me moving in the right direction.
I have read several comments
Submitted by Noemi (not verified) on October 2, 2008 - 07:23.
I have read several comments and opinions about what an expert and novice teacher is. I have a question. Does anyone believe a second year teacher can be in the middle of both an novice teacher and an expert teacher. I am currently a second year teacher myself and with the expereiences I have had with children all my life and the challenges I have been faced already in my classroom I believe I am in the middle. I also believe I am in the middle of being a novice and expert teacher because of my passion and commitment I have for my classroom and students. I do not believe I will ever get to be an expert teacher because of the changing world. I would like to hear others opinions on my thoughts and accept any responses on what you believe.
~Noemi
Empowerment
Submitted by david (not verified) on October 3, 2008 - 14:40.
Noemi
I salute to feel in the middle already after two years of teaching.I recall my second year bombarded with meetings, figuring out what what work, and getting to know the culture of my students. My adminstration did allow me to have such an empowerment so soon. You are very fortunate to experience an achieve so soon. I have been teaching for 7 plus years. You should feel really priviliged to have a handle on things so early in your career.
Novice Vs. Expert
Submitted by Hope Manuel (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 20:51.
I really enjoy reading everyone’s thoughts and ideas. I would definitely agree that experience is what differentiates a novice teacher from an expert teacher. I also feel that no matter how much experience you may have, you can never truly be an expert in education. I believe that the more experience a teacher has the closer they are to becoming an expert; however, educators are always learning and growing as professionals.
I think that technology is one huge subject area that educators today need to be familiar. I am really glad that we have these technology advances and opportunities to help us grow as educators. With these new advances we are able to share and learn from many different people in various places.
Novice to expert
Submitted by Anna (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 20:49.
I agree with several people who have already posted. I don't think that the journy from novice to expert teacher is ever complete. Each year all the students are different and sometimes even the curriculm is different. There is always a better way of teaching something. In this profession there is always something new. I don't know if I will ever consider myself a expert teacher.
Novice vs. Expert
Submitted by Chad Brown (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 20:40.
This is my first attempt at blogging. I believe that teachers who come out of college feel they are ready and have a zeal for what they are doing. These traits are needed and play a vital role to each educator's growth. However, true experience is what makes one feel they have reached or are reaching expert status. I will compare it motorcycle riders. Motorcycle riders range from beginners who ride on an occassional weekend to highly experienced riders who ride all the time and have hundreds of hours on their bikes. The novice rider is one who takes small trips and enjoys the weekend riding as a hobby. The highly experienced rider is one who takes their riding to another level. They have been on multiple trips and have been exposed to many different driving conditions, situations, and encounters which has improved their judgement over time. It all comes down to labeling. The same is true for novice and expert teachers. Experience is the only factor which separates the two. With that said, expert status is rare but obtainable. Your record and achievements as a teacher are the determining views by which your peers place you in this category.
Novice to Expert
Submitted by Stacy (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 20:20.
I think it is a continuum going from novice to expert. All new teachers start out at the novice level due to lack of experience. As teaches gain more experience, skills, knowledge, and confidence, they move towards that level of being an expert teacher. I have been a teacher for six year. I taught fourth grade my first three years, then I taught a fourth/fifth grade split for one year, and now I have been back to just fourth grade for two years. With all my experience in fourth grade, I feel that I am between a novice and an expert. When I taught the split class, I felt like I went back to being a novice in some areas. I think all teachers continue to learn and grow each year no matter what level you are at. Things are constantly changing in the classroom whether it is the students, technology, or the curriculum. Each year, I reevaluate what I am teaching to see if it is meeting the needs of my current students and if it is meeting the requirements of the state standards.
There is one major
Submitted by Greg Jette (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 19:19.
There is one major difference between an expert and novice teacher. Experience is the major component that I feel demonstrates an expert teacher. It doesn't mean that if you have experience, then you will be an "expert" teacher. But I feel that college prepares all potential teachers with the knowledge and teaching strategies to become a "expert" teacher. After college, we get the experience which allows us to use our knowledge in a constructive way. Experience is what teaches us how to deal with certain situations in the best possible way. To me an "expert" teacher has learned how to deal with many different situations through his/her years of experience.
Novice to Expert
Submitted by Sabrina (not verified) on October 1, 2008 - 19:10.
I don't consider myself an expert teacher. I know some great teachers, but it's difficult to say that they are experts. Teachers are constantly learning. Children change from year to year; socially, emotionally, and academically and teachers may need to consult advice for certain situations. I consider myself in between a novice and expert. I want to always strive to become an expert.
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