Teachable Moments
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Reset Button
I drive a Lexus Hybrid. I love the car because it does not use as much gas and it is nicer to the environment since it is an electrical vehicle. It's also wonderful that I use regular gas. In these tough economic times, gas prices are skyrocketing and driving an electrical car is a great decision.
Now that I have driven the Hybrid for a few months, a warning message has been showing up "oil maintenance required". I continued to drive the car because I was busy and couldn't get to the dealership anytime soon. Well, I was compelled to respond to my electronic reminders because the message continued to blink in urgency.
I went to a local business and allowed them to change the oil in my car. I was very proud of myself for having completed this task despite my busy schedule.
Mission Accomplished!
I paid for the services and proudly climbed into the driver's seat ready to conquer the world!
Hold up! Wait a second!
The "oil maintenance required" message was still flashing, so I hopped out of the car and asked the worker to turn it off. He laughed and stated, "We know how to change the oil, but we don't know how to reset the button".
Yikes. I thought about this for a long time...
How often do we, as educators, fill up the minds of children with the "oil of knowledge", but we don't know how to reset the button...check for understanding, apply the skill in other situations, use the information on a standardized test?
Be very sure that you know how to educate and help students to reset and move forward efficiently as a "well oiled machine".
Now that I have driven the Hybrid for a few months, a warning message has been showing up "oil maintenance required". I continued to drive the car because I was busy and couldn't get to the dealership anytime soon. Well, I was compelled to respond to my electronic reminders because the message continued to blink in urgency.
I went to a local business and allowed them to change the oil in my car. I was very proud of myself for having completed this task despite my busy schedule.
Mission Accomplished!
I paid for the services and proudly climbed into the driver's seat ready to conquer the world!
Hold up! Wait a second!
The "oil maintenance required" message was still flashing, so I hopped out of the car and asked the worker to turn it off. He laughed and stated, "We know how to change the oil, but we don't know how to reset the button".
Yikes. I thought about this for a long time...
How often do we, as educators, fill up the minds of children with the "oil of knowledge", but we don't know how to reset the button...check for understanding, apply the skill in other situations, use the information on a standardized test?
Be very sure that you know how to educate and help students to reset and move forward efficiently as a "well oiled machine".