Why ARE we actually doing this?
It was a very pointed question from my daughter as we talked about an assignment that she had been given by her teacher. My daughter felt the assignment was very much busy work, meant to keep students occupied while the teacher was out for a day. Except that the busy work continued after the teacher returned.
Why ARE we actually doing this?
It made me think of my role as an educator, an assigner. We have the ability to engage, to ignite, to inspire. We have the ability to provide meaningful, relevant work. But instead, we bury our students under a mountain of worksheets, meaningless assignments, and other boring drivel. Instead, we assign busy work.
I didn’t want to defend my daughter’s teacher, but I understand. It’s easier. It’s what we’ve always done. Assigning busy work simply takes less effort.
Why ARE we actually doing this?
It’s a question that we, the Assigners, must answer.
We need to assign with purpose. We need our students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators. We need to ditch the busy work. We need to worry less about whether students will stay hard at work on assignments that are hardly work.
Why ARE we actually doing this?
It’s time that the Assigners Assemble. And once and for all, get rid of the busy work.
Rich