I noticed today while reviewing the numerous topics that educators were discussing, was an interesting topic entitled, "I don't know." It happens to fall right in line with what I'm looking for in regards to the feedback our campus received from our first "Instructional Rounds" visit. One area that we will be focusing on as improvement will be in the area of student questioning or discourse.
In the article published by Heather Walport-Gawron she states that teachers need to realize the critical importance of using the statement, "I don't know," and that it is okay to make that statement to your students. The power is in what you do with it. She suggests the following:
Make sure your students know that no one knows the answer to everything, but there are ways to find the answers to the questions we have. She also encourages you to teach the mindset that "I don't know" means "Wait, let's find out." First, use Google and teach students the tricks to finding particular information and customize your toolbar to help you. Second, offer students an opportunity to collaborate when seeing information i.e. Google and make it fun, such as a timed scavenger hunt. Third, teach students to seek more than source so that your evidence is verified. In closing, no matter how you teach your students to seek information, the power of "I don't know" can be used to honor confusion and help clear it up.
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