Yesterday in a discussion with an NSDL evaluator who is also an ElEd Prof., he told me that research has shown that teachers would rather be given the parts from which to build lessons, than pre-completed lessons. I have asked him for more details about the claim and what data it is based on, but my experience working with teachers has given evidence to that strongly contradicts that claim. At one point in my dissertation research, the overwhelming response from teachers that they don’t have time (are not willing) to create and adapt online lessons became very depressing to me. I believe that this is a complex issue that is closely intertwined with other issues such as the instructional medium and the teachers’ view of their identity and role.
What are your thoughts as a teacher? Which would rather have, a prepared lesson (not a description of a lesson, but the actual materials to use such as black line masters, manipulatives etc), or a catalogue of pieces (e.g. CDs full of clip art, handouts, and worksheets) from which you can assemble lessons?
Does your answer change if we are talking about web based lessons that can be easily adapted?
Posted on September 26th, 2003 by joel
Filed under: authoring tools, interactive online math, math education
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