[Ohiogift] Watch Out

Wed Apr 24 19:40:26 EDT 2013

Susan:

Wait, though - I'll be the next step is to say the videos can ONLY be used for teacher evals. because to use them to watch students would be a violation of FERPA. Frankly, I'd LOVE for parents to have seen how some of their kids behaved in my classes. In many situations, the videos would show teachers who should be nominated for sainthood for the patience, compassion, and expertise they use with their students. Even gifted ones. 

Amen and Amen!!! (At times, especially gifted students!)

BUT, I do think that teacher-made videos that are shared with their mentors as part of PD can be a powerful tool for professional growth. When I made recordings of my teaching for National Board Certification and had to submit it along with self-critiques of my own practice, I learned a huge amount from every single one. And that was without another pair of expert eyes. I think using recorded teaching episodes as part of teacher portfolios along with that teacher's critiques could be an excellent component of teacher evaluation. But that's NOT what Gates is talking about, sadly. 

I agree. . . Grad school required me to video record several lessons and submit them for evaluation. If administrators video recorded their observations and shared it as part of the teacher’s evaluation, it would be a powerful tool. And, the camera doesn’t lie. . . Plus, it would allow the observer to review certain parts of the observation and share areas of strength and further development with the teacher. 

And before we get into the unions-protect-bad-teachers thing, yes, there are some teachers who shouldn't be in classrooms with children. So let's just skip that.... 

Agreed! –Chip 

Susan

-----Original Message----- 
From: "Edward A. Hawks III" 
Sent: Apr 24, 2013 5:48 PM 
To: 'Will Fitzhugh' , Ohiogift Listserv 
Subject: Re: [Ohiogift] Watch Out 

Big brother is watching. . . Perhaps the in-class cameras could help substantiate student behavior, as well, and be used as part of their evaluations and grades. I do believe we need cameras in the hallways and back stairwells of some middle/high schools, but that’s not a government issue. Let Mr. Gates foot the bill, if he’s that hell-bent on installing cameras. And, good luck with that, Mr. Gates. 

I wonder of corporations have cameras installed in their employees’ cubicles or offices as part of their evaluations for meeting or not meeting objectives. Me thinks not. . .  

I like the Bob Hope quote and could hear him saying it. 

Chip

Edward A. Hawks, III, M.Ed.

  _____  

Gifted Intervention Specialist / Exceptional Student Education

Kent City School District

  _____  

“What he seemed, he was—a wholly human gentleman, the 

essential elements of whose positive character were two and 

only two, simplicity and spirituality.”  

(Douglas Southall Freeman on Robert E. Lee)

From: ohiogift-bounces at lists.service.ohio-state.edu [mailto:ohiogift-bounces at lists.service.ohio-state.edu] On Behalf Of Will Fitzhugh
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 9:25 AM
To: ohiogift at lists.service.ohio-state.edu
Subject: [Ohiogift] Watch Out

The College Fix reports:

"Bill Gates wants the country to spend $5 billion on video cameras in every classroom, 

—footage which would then be used for teacher evaluations."

This reminds me of a story by Bob Hope on his return from a trip to Russia

in, I think, the 1950s. He said the hotels were not bad, with a television set

in every room. BUT, he said,— It watches you!

Will Fitzhugh

“Teach by Example”

Will Fitzhugh [founder]

The Concord Review [1987]

Ralph Waldo Emerson Prizes [1995]

National Writing Board [1998]

TCR Institute [2002]

730 Boston Post Road, Suite 24

Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776-3371 USA

978-443-0022; 800-331-5007

www.tcr.org <http://www.tcr.org/> ; fitzhugh at tcr.org

Varsity Academics®

www.tcr.org/blog

Susan R. Rakow, Ph.D. 
Clinical Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Program in Gifted Education
Department of Curriculum and Foundations 
Cleveland State University
2485 Euclid Ave., EB374
Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
216-523-7296
s.rakow at csuohio.edu

“Modern cynics and skeptics see no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than is paid to those to whom they entrust the care of their plumbing.” -John F. Kennedy
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