Home: The Investigative Philosophy
The logistics of the computer portion of teaching TERC
Examples of
Kindergarten - 5th Grade Student Work
TERC has strong assessment practices that are outlined in full for every lesson or activity as part of the Investigations curriculum. As in the constructivist model in which TERC bases its philosophy, much of the assessment of student work relates to how deep exploration brings them, rather than achieving any particular end. In general TERC strongly stresses that there is no one right way to get an answer. Each student is encouraged to use a variety of approaches to finding an answer and then using the approach that works best for them.
On the door to the computer room where I teach, (I see 450 five to eleven-year-old each week of the school year) is a small sign. There stated are my four rules for doing computer work.
- Have fun.
- Be gentle.
- Make mistakes.
- Try something new.
I believe in using computers as a powerful tool to inspire the learner. The best student is the happiest student. They come to explore, with all the hard work that it implies, making many mistakes along the way, but learning with everyone. They are on this journey to make discoveries, trying something new many times every day. And by understanding, not just memorizing I hope you may find the teachable practices described within this web site to create powerfully empowered learners as I have.
Though up and running, as in all educational endeavors, I see this web site as a work in process, and hope if you discover any errors that you will contact me at nrubinf@nycboe.net or njakefier@fierworks.net so that I can better communicate my message. Do understand I don't just preach my four rules, I live by them, especially number three, that is to say if you can't find a mistake in these pages you haven't looked hard enough.
Lastly I would like to say how much I enjoyed creating this web site and want to thank the Office of Instructional Technology's (OIT) Summer Institute for giving me the opportunity to present, particularly Mark Gura and Joel Heffner for their support throughout. Unfortunately the OIT went the way of budget cuts. Still, until recently it remained on the Board of Education's server, now the Department of Education, in some sort of forgotten closet of cyber space. Now, it has at last disappeared, and I hope the powers that be will happily accept the placement of it on my own personal web site www.fierworks.net
Thanks for checking these pages out,
Nick Rubinfier, also known as Mr. Fier,
New York City Public School Computer Teacher.