July 1, 2009 - Understanding, by Design?

Day 1 of UbD workshop. UbD (Understanding by Design) is the latest acronym to solve the invented woes of our education system. I volunteered to help rewrite curriculum to reflect the UbD concept. Undertaking this futile endeavor (as we never stay with a reform idea for more than 3 years) would entail enduring 4 days of this "training." Trying to stay open and positive, I go to the workshop with a happy heart and a mind ready to learn and grow.

Ugh!! That was effing frustrating! I got so crabby because that condescending presenter kept contradicting herself as she managed to create more confusion around EVERY question anyone asked. She could not seem to explain anything so that it made any sense. Now my pain body is hovering around again because I allowed myself to become so agitated with the presenter's lack of facilitation skills and unnerving directness as she told everyone how wrong they were. A dark part of me wants to punch her face.

I have to weigh the unprofessional choice to give up on this commitment with the likelihood of my unprofessional behavior in response to that woman if I stuck it out another 3 days. I choose to not attend days 2 through 4. I am afraid of my negativity making a tough situation worse for others.

And, yes, it occurs to me that my annoyance with this woman's lack of skills may be a reflection of a similar deficit in myself as teacher. Oh, how I hate to look at my own ugly. Many times, when I am not as prepared and intentional as I could be, my lessons come out sloppy and unclear. My students are not shy about telling me this, and instead of taking it personal (as I usually do), I can be learning how to facilitate in a way that allows for lower levels of frustration and higher understanding. I can see, now, how I might be making learners uncomfortable. I will focus more on my own presentation style. That's awful to sit through, and I hate to think I torture my students that way.

That is my Understanding...by Design? Oh, you clever universe.

Student changed the title. I kind of agree. Except he did not use a comma between the two adjectives.