HOTs

**Department of Graduate Studies ** ** Teaching of Foreign Languages M.ED. **  **A Final Paper ** In the course: **__Current Issues in EFL in Israel __** **Presented to: Dr. Orly Sella ** **Presented by: Hadeel Ghanem ** **ID: 039709183 ** 3. Describe the HOTs program as an example of an educational change. Discuss the development and implementation of this change, relating to what we have learned about educational change. **//Changing Bells are Ringing //** **Change in general: ** When talking about a change it means moving from one place to another or moving to a new way of life; it is absolutely difficult since the individual has to adapt himself to the new place, people and environment. In addition change should be well prepared and planned otherwise it will not work. Some people can pass it successfully and some cannot; it depends on many conditions. It sounds difficult for an individual or a group of people to get through a change; how about an educational change that refers to the big system that is the Ministry of Education and involves the old and new generation. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). It is worth mentioning that a change is a long process since it involves changes in the communication, opinions, attitudes and structures in the system. Shedding the light on educational change; it should be studied by educators, authors and researchers. Every educational chan ge has to pass through several stages: initiation, implementation, continuation and the outcome of the process; it is a spiral process since each stage affects the other stages. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Education in the past: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Basically, education and the old curriculum were up till 8th or 9th grade. The material was limited on teaching native tongue, math and history. The teaching learning process was based on memorizing. Namely, teachers used to teach explicit rules, grammar rules and vocabulary through controlled exercises and activities. The teacher was in the center and the learners were very passive (Sawaya, 2012). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Based on Sawaya (2012), when teachers used to teach for the test, namely, to memorize a sequence of facts for a multiple choice test, they were not really assessing the learners' abilities. Multiple choice tests check memorization in a very narrow and controlled theoretical framework. The learner turns to a passive knowledge receiver and teacher would be the knower. In this situation, the interaction between the teacher and his learners would be diminished. Since teachers know the same material, learners will be all the same. Therefore knowledge would be standardized, no critical thinking; it is absolutely absent in this old system. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">However, Sawaya (2012) and McGuiness, (1999) agree that HOTs is the basis for educating creative and critical learners who know how to react and manage in the wild changing world. Sawaya (2012) emphasize the idea of educating rational learners namely; learners build their thinking and acting on specific reasons and evidences. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Moreover, in our days our life is influenced by the civilization and technology that affected the educational system. The school system and the new national curriculum have changed; learners learn many subjects and additional languages that mean that the educational system has advanced and developed in order to graduate both qualified teachers and learners. Learners learn do not only learn grammar but also literature that helps them to appreciate and love the language. The national curriculum focuses on social interaction where learners practice their verbal skills. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In addition, the new English curriculum suggested the four domains that emphasize critical thinking: access to information, social interaction, appreciation of language and literature and presentation. Those domains enable activities and ideas that foster critical thinking. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Change in Israel: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In my point of view, relating to the Israeli society, life has changed a lot in terms of technology, communication, life quality and other areas except education that has not changed alongside. There is a clear gap between the environment's technological fast development and the educational system. In other words, the educational system does not reflect and meet the learners' needs and their current issues. As a result, the education has gone down relating to learners' behavior, outcomes and their communication, relationship with their teachers. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In addition, Israeli educational system still suffers from discipline complaints, noise, and bad environmental conditions at schools, disappearing teachers' respect and others. My colleagues complain that the absence of male role reduced the discipline the thing that affects the discussion in class about literature, languages and other subjects. That situation of noise, discipline problems reduces the learning interest; as a result, both parents and learners become afraid that school should give learners the skills and tools to manage well in real life that is the high order thinking skills that prepare learners for the university and life after it. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). .  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">However, there is a progress and change in the Israeli educational system such as the increase in the number of learners who were graduated and the teachers' acknowledgement and information has improved. When talking about the solution of crisis in Israeli education it is always solved financially and morally. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Change definition: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">There are two kinds of change natural and artificial. The one that happened in Israel is artificial since it is innovated from the Ministry of Education aiming to develop and improve the system. Furthermore, the Israeli educational change is top- down and not bottom up since as I have mentioned it came from the top that is the Ministry of Education**,** down to the teachers. The top- down model has its risks, objections and investments. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">HOTs definition: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">HOTs are a thinking process that includes a variety of thinking processes that are applied to complex conditions and multiple variables. In addition, context is a variable that affects the thinking level. For example, going to a cafeteria and decide which type of food to eat and which amount, requires effort and is considered more complex than counting fats and proteins in a classroom ( Crowl et al,. 1997). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Based on both Cradler (2002) and Yuretich (2004) who relate thinking process to Blooms (1956) taxonomy category of thinking skills. That taxonomy categorizes thinking skills from the simple to the complex and from the concrete to the abstract <span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT','serif'; font-size: 16px;">such as knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. The last three skills are the complex and abstract skills. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Moreover, higher order thinking includes various types of thinking types such as critical, logical, reflective, metacognitive and creative thinking. These skills are needed when learners or any individual face unfamiliar dilemmas or problems. Doing well at those skills results in experiences and performances. It is a process that continues to grow (Crowl et al,. 1997). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Critical thinking is a skill where learners are asked to judge people, ideas and figures. Furthermore, learners are asked to give positive and negative feedback. Some scholars use the term "critical thinking" and "higher order thinking" interchangeably and others use "critical thinking" and creative thinking" interchangeably (Legg, S.M., 1990)  **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">HOTs change: **  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In the past there were no HOTs as we know it now, there were LOTs. When, the Israeli Ministry of Education decided to make a change; they imposed the HOTs on teachers to implement them in classes and to do in-service course to learn how to apply it. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012).   <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Based on the handbook (Ministry of Education, 2011) in January 2008 till January 2009, the Ministry of Education has pronounced a pilot program intending to check and research the HOTs affects on learners' achievements. There were very positive reactions and outcomes from learners since their writing and reading skills were improved. The idea of literature and culture appreciation was increased. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">However, the pilot program was implemented on chosen schools; it was not yet implemented in the entire country. When the HOTs were implemented in the entire country; teachers began to feel the difficulty in applying the HOTs and the feeling of ignoring the idea of asking them and taking their agreement into consideration. Teachers felt that they were not part of the decision and change; it was a top- down change. It is worth mentioning, that HOTs change is considered a model of research since it was studied by educators and researchers, it was tried then stopped for a period because of a lot of misunderstandings, gaps, objections.Teacherswere unsatisfied since HOTs change requires and demands a lot of work, time dedication; but teachers were not well prepared and there was no adequate compensation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The negotiation began between teachers and the Israeli Ministry of Education; as a result the HOTs program was stopped. The process of teachers' rebel, objection has begun since it means additional work beside their work, till 2010 the agreement was pronounced and it says the following; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">(Ministry of Education, 2011) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ministry of Education intended to use HOTs program to graduate independent learners who are ready to build and construct inside and outside the school. HOTs change aims to have both better learners and thinkers who can identify what and how to know, to build their knowledge. (Ministry of Education, 2011) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">On the one hand, that HOTs are difficult to teach and learn since they involve complicated skills such as criticizing and problem solving. On the other hand, they are very effective and valuable because they can be used a lot outside the school in real situations. Relating to teachers, they began to take in- service courses that prepare them to understand, internalize and know how to teach HOTs properly. From the lectures of Dr. Orly Sela's (Current Issues in EFL in Israel – Oranim, 2011-2012). **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">My insight: ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Relating my field that is elementary school, I can already see the effectiveness of teaching HOTs since elementary school because it prepares them for learning HOTs in junior and high junior school that will be implemented differently. But the most important point is the teacher who is considered the innovator and the one who can make a change. On the 8th of July, the principle called the teachers in my school for a meeting that was about the importance of teaching social skills. He said that he did not hear a learner says in my opinion. Learners lack the critical thinking, the HOTs. Marriage needs judgmental and critical skills; the ability to express and voice our opinions. In addition, to many other issues in our life that need critical and rational thinker and learners. All of us agreed the importance of the homeroom teacher but I disagreed because problems are everywhere and happen in all lessons, so HOTs are not only relevant to homeroom teacher, but also to all teachers in all subjects to teach our learners to apply HOTs in real life situations. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">References ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bloom, B.S. et al, 1956. //Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The classifications of Educational Goals//. David McKay Company, New York. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cradler, J. et al, 2002. //How does Technology Influence Student Learning? Learning and Leading with Technology//, Vol. 29, No. 8, pp 46-49. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Crowl, T. K., Kaminsky, S., and Pedell, D.M. (1997). //Educational psychology: Windows on teaching//. Madison, WI: Brown and Benchmark. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Yuretich, R.F., 2004. //Measuring Skills in Large Introductory Science Classes.// Journal of College Science Teaching, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 40-45. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Legg.S.M. (1990). Issues in critical thinking. Paper prepared for the College of Pharmacy at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">McGuinness, C., (1999) //From Thinking Skills to Thinking Classrooms. School of Psychology//, Queen's University, Belfast. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Sawaya, V. Ch. (2012). //The Truth of the Matter: A Defense of Critical Thinking as the Principle Aim of Education//. Vol. 5, 75-84.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 19px;">Oranim Academic College of Education **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers teach 6 skills instead of 18 skills. The six skills are
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Comparing and contrasting.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Distinguishing different perspectives
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Explaining cause and effect
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Explaining patterns
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Inferring
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Problem solving
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Learners have the choice to choose a final test or a log. In the summative assessment learners can choose a thinking skill question or comprehension question.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers who teach 4-5 points should take in – service courses.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Literature texts were reduced in the Bagrut.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ministry has provided a site that explains how to teach HOTS explicitly.
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Ministry offers teachers to go through online and face to face in- service courses.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">State of Israel Ministry of Education, //The Teachers' Handbook//, updated version, April 2011.