The Worst Fake News Story in Education Ever: Those Who Can’t Do, Teach

Any professional associated with education knows that teachers not only can do but must do much more than teach. Do some of these roles sound familiar?

• Conflict resolution specialist
• Data analyst
• Administrative professional
• Diplomat
• MC/Entertainer
• Communications manager

And we haven’t even discussed content or curriculum development yet. In a 2014 study, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that teachers spend less than half of their time in school actually instructing students. Some of those non-teaching moments are unavoidable and necessary. But according to the same study, the second largest use of time by teachers is individual planning and preparation of lessons.

What if we could reduce that time? What could teachers accomplish with those extra hours? Is it even possible to reduce prep time?

It is–if educators take the leap and decide to outsource some content creation. We’re not talking about finding some faceless Internet vendor whose only experience with a classroom has been as a student. There are writers out there who have dedicated themselves to creating high-quality tools both teachers and administrators can use to achieve their goals.

When teachers don’t have to worry about locating source materials or creating handouts or activities, they can concentrate on what they do best–working with students. As student-to-teacher ratios soar, it is vital to maximize teacher time in the classroom, providing more opportunities for firsthand contact between teachers and their students.

Who are these writers? Where do they come from?

It’s natural–and necessary–to question qualifications when you outsource educational writing. Be sure to use a pool of writers that have practical experience in education. There are teams of writers out there who have been (and some still are) active in the classroom at elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels. Look for those who have advanced degrees, not only in education but also in specific subject areas.

How can outsourced writers write for my students?

Specifically trained in education, content developers can create lessons, assignments, assessments–anything that teachers need to engage students, building not only specific knowledge sets but also problem-solving, critical-thinking, and teamwork skills. When you supply details about your objectives, educational writers can create materials for a specific class, grade, school, department, or district.

It’s true that education writers don’t know your students, but they can meet any needs you describe. When tapping content developers rather than a single educator–or overworked department–you get a team of professionals laser focused on creating tools tailored to your teachers’ needs.

These writers don’t need to call parents, review portfolios, or schedule professional development time. Their sole purpose is to develop creative, engaging teaching materials designed to your specifications. Plus, they have the time and motivation to respond to any changes you need.

What about quality? Do education writers know what they’re doing?

Expertise in concepts like Bloom’s Taxonomy and depth of knowledge helps ensure top-quality teaching tools that your teachers can put to work right away. In addition, writers experienced with Common Core State Standards and specific state objectives and benchmarks create materials that meet accountability targets.

Looking outside the school for content development may not seem to be a natural step, but think of it this way: giving teachers the time they need to focus on their students, where they can have the most positive effect, makes sense. Plus, accessing writers experienced in education means that teachers will have carefully crafted tools to employ, making their work more effective and potentially more satisfying.