[etni] Fw: clarification
- From: "Ask Etni" <ask@xxxxxxxx>
- To: "Etni" <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 10:19:07 +0200
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sharon Tzur" <sharontzu5@xxxxxxx>
Subject: clarification
Clarification
1 - I criticized the choice of pieces for the core program - I did not
criticize the people who chose them or who are drafting the new program. I
also did not suggest that the pieces were chosen deliberately in order to
"push" us into the log option (although I did see one such posting). As for
suggestions, I sent Judy my suggestions last summer. Naturally, there will
be many suggestions sent in, and only a few will eventually be chosen.
2 - I'm well aware that many people like the pieces that were chosen and
that many people prefer to teach pieces they are familiar with. However,
taken together, the list does offer pieces which are pretty bleak. I don't
think the list is as yet chiseled in stone, and I don't see any reason why
the Ministry can't look at the list and say, "Mmmm - the list has come out a
bit on the heavy side - we need some balance here - let's add or replace one
piece here with something more cheerful.: At any rate, my suggestion was to
offer MORE choice to those of us who choose the test option. I don't see why
anyone would object to 2 or 3 plays being offered as core pieces. (There
will be a novel, but no one can compare a play to a novel - a novel is much
more difficult for the students.) Yes, this will mean that the exam will
have to have more questions, but I think that is a small price to pay if it
means that teachers can choose pieces they like and consider appropriate for
their students. Similarly, I think the core program should at least allow
some choice regarding the short piece. My suggestion is to let us choose two
out of four choices offered and cut down the "choice" list accordingly.
3- I'm really sorry, but telling us that there is a log option is not
relevant to the discussion. Many of us have good reasons not to choose the
log option. Those of us who choose the exam option should still have some
choice, at least regarding the long piece.
4- Many of the people working on the program do read this list, so it is an
appropriate place for feedback (which is not to say that we should not also
send letters to Judy Steiner). I have great respect for the people working
on the new program. That doesn't mean that I agree with everything in the
new program. I repeat, HOTs can have a great place as part of our arsenal of
tools for TEACHING. Questions of analysis in literature by their nature
required high order thinking skills. I raised the question of whether it is
appropriate to ask students in an EXAM to STATE EXPLICITLY which high order
thinking skills they used to answer a question (and to explain why). I don't
think this is an appropriate question, particularly when we are talking
about an EFL exam. If explicitly reflection on HOTs as part of an EXAM can
make a contribution, let them be introduced to the students in subjects
which they study in their native language before they are introduced in an
exam of EFL.
5- Avi mentioned that he is proud of the pioneering spirit of the English
Ministry. To tell you the truth, I think that we are a country with limited
resources and we have to be very careful when we try to go "where no man has
gone before". Often, an idea looks promising on paper and in educational
research, but it doesn't always pay off when transferred to the field. I
would like to see if there are other countries introducing HOTs into their
foreign language literature exams and see if it brings good results before
we jump into the water.
6- I have been accused (off the list) of trashing the whole program. Not
true. My criticism was geared at the choices for the core program (and lack
of choice for teachers) - and some of the questions on the exam,
particularly the questions of "State your HOT".
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