How Opening Up Doors Can Push Education Forward

Shawn Pomatto

CO

Schwartz, K. (2014). How opening up classroom doors can push education forward. Mind/Shift. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.kqed.org%2Fmindshift%2F2014%2F02%2Fhow-opening-up-classroom-doors-can-push-education-forward%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bkqed%252FnHAK%2B%2528MindShift%2529&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEDc4WjhI6C3oQfBsVaXXTkUVdWJQ

A teachers classroom is their own private island where they rule with supreme power and autonomy.  They can be reluctant to let others in to observe their successes and of course, their failures.  Teachers are usually unwilling to become transparent in their practices, as quite often the fear of judgement from peers powers this recluse type of action to close yourself off from the rest of campus.  Schwartz (2014) suggests that teachers embrace the possibility of failure and public scrutiny and open their minds, hearts and classroom doors to the outside world.  Parents want transparency and these new classroom procedures can help provide a bridge of communication between parents, students and teachers.  Online grading and the use of google docs help to bring the classroom to parents, and visa versa.  In order to promote change, one must allow the outside world in and be prepared to be judged.  Embrace the opportunity to make a a difference by explaining how a test score was reached, and not necessarily the test score itself.

What is apparent is that education is finally opening up doors, literally and figuratively speaking.  Old ways of teaching in front of a class and closing yourself off to your colleagues and the rest of the school has gone by the wayside.  Collaboration, both amongst students and teacher cohorts have given rise to a new sense of team, and that has enabled teachers to impact students more effectively.  This change cannot merely stop with the students.  It cannot simply end within teachers classrooms.  In order to truly be effective, this change needs to infiltrate the administration and how the school is effectively run.  Furthermore, the openness allows for vulnerability and teachers should not be vilified for their practices in the classroom, rather, they should be embraced for partaking in such an unusual experience.  Having an open mind and open door will allow for the transfer of unique experiences and collaboration, all of which will directly benefit each individual student.