Mountains beyond Mountains is a wonderful book by Tracy Kidder. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer who spends his life in Haiti, helping cure diseases like TB and AIDS. Now what does this story have to do with education? We determined that there were many metaphors and ideas throughout this book that can be applied to education. The main one being to work with the individual students you have now. It is important to differentiate your instruction for each individual because we are all different. Our slogan became 'Think Globally, Act Locally' to remind us that the big goals are necessary, but they can only be accomplished if we work on a person by person basis.
You can watch our project here. CLICK HERE!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Adolescent Brain
Last Monday night, our Education Psychology class had the privilege of hearing a lecture by Karen Williams about the Adolescent Brain. I found this presentation very valuable. Even though this speech was geared towards a younger audience, I still thought it was incredibly engaging. Karen Williams was able to stand up in front of an auditorium of many college students and act out different scenes, make funny faces, and encourage us to participate in her lecture.
Her main focus was to show how the brain develops from age 5 to about age 20. What we learned was that by age 20 the brain was still not fully developed. In fact, the part of the brain that controls thinking and decision making is that last to develop. Despite the fact that I went to this lecture a week ago, I can still remember what her main points were. I believe that this is because she took the time to have us participate. To demonstrate the concept that the brain is rapidly making connections at a young age she had the audience clap as fast as they could. More energetic clapping signified the times in a person's life where their brain is overactive and drinking in as much information as it can.
These two periods in time were from 2-3 years of age and from 14-15 years of age. Of course these ranges are not the same in every person, but in general these few years of our lives are important times for our brain. It just so happens that these years are also very important to learning. What children are exposed to in these years will help them grow in those abilities. This presentation really helped me understand how the brain works. And as a teacher I plan on making sure my students get exposed to many ideas during this wonderful time in their lives.
To learn more about the adolescent brain click here.
Her main focus was to show how the brain develops from age 5 to about age 20. What we learned was that by age 20 the brain was still not fully developed. In fact, the part of the brain that controls thinking and decision making is that last to develop. Despite the fact that I went to this lecture a week ago, I can still remember what her main points were. I believe that this is because she took the time to have us participate. To demonstrate the concept that the brain is rapidly making connections at a young age she had the audience clap as fast as they could. More energetic clapping signified the times in a person's life where their brain is overactive and drinking in as much information as it can.
These two periods in time were from 2-3 years of age and from 14-15 years of age. Of course these ranges are not the same in every person, but in general these few years of our lives are important times for our brain. It just so happens that these years are also very important to learning. What children are exposed to in these years will help them grow in those abilities. This presentation really helped me understand how the brain works. And as a teacher I plan on making sure my students get exposed to many ideas during this wonderful time in their lives.
To learn more about the adolescent brain click here.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Blogging is not the only way.
Throughout this semester, blogging has been an interesting task to keep on top of. I have to admit, at first I was relatively skeptical of this idea. However, I have to say my opinions have changed. It's been fun to write down my thoughts about education and our class discussions. Our question for this week. How is technology useful? How can you visualize using blogging in your future classroom?
I find this a very hard question to answer. Although I personally have grown to like this blog, I don't think others have taken to it quite as much. I find the blogs I'm following to be interesting, but if nothing new is written there is no gain. I think this would be an important aspect of incorporating blogs into a classroom. For them to remain a successful part of the learning process, they can not simply be created and not put to use. If no one comments, or creates a conversation from my or others thoughts, there is no learning taking place. So, in a classroom setting this would have to be strictly monitored.
On the other hand, strictly monitoring what students write on their blogs could easily be detrimental to the entire idea. I do not believe students will be free with their thoughts, or want to write in a blog if they are required to do so. I recently read in an article entitled, Play and Social Interaction in Middle Childhood by Doris Bergen and Doris Pronin Fromberg. This article explained that if a child or student chooses an activity, they think of it as play whereas if they are told they must do something, it is thought of as work. Blogging may be looked at by students as just another part of the work that they have to do for school.
If I eventually used blogs in my classroom, they would not be graded assignments. It would be simply for the entertainment of my students. I would of course monitor them from time to time to make sure nothing inappropriate was happening, but I would not require more than a single first entry from each student. I think that with encouraging statements, some students would become excited about the blogs. And for the ones who didn't, I would find another way for them to be excited about creating conversation between them and their peers. Blogging is not the only way to have meaningful conversation.
I find this a very hard question to answer. Although I personally have grown to like this blog, I don't think others have taken to it quite as much. I find the blogs I'm following to be interesting, but if nothing new is written there is no gain. I think this would be an important aspect of incorporating blogs into a classroom. For them to remain a successful part of the learning process, they can not simply be created and not put to use. If no one comments, or creates a conversation from my or others thoughts, there is no learning taking place. So, in a classroom setting this would have to be strictly monitored.
On the other hand, strictly monitoring what students write on their blogs could easily be detrimental to the entire idea. I do not believe students will be free with their thoughts, or want to write in a blog if they are required to do so. I recently read in an article entitled, Play and Social Interaction in Middle Childhood by Doris Bergen and Doris Pronin Fromberg. This article explained that if a child or student chooses an activity, they think of it as play whereas if they are told they must do something, it is thought of as work. Blogging may be looked at by students as just another part of the work that they have to do for school.
If I eventually used blogs in my classroom, they would not be graded assignments. It would be simply for the entertainment of my students. I would of course monitor them from time to time to make sure nothing inappropriate was happening, but I would not require more than a single first entry from each student. I think that with encouraging statements, some students would become excited about the blogs. And for the ones who didn't, I would find another way for them to be excited about creating conversation between them and their peers. Blogging is not the only way to have meaningful conversation.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
As a future teacher I need to work on developing my pedagogical content knowledge. This means the knowledge I will need to effectively teach my students. Chapter 11 in our Educational Psychology text book focuses on content areas, and how to teach them. The 5 categories focused on were reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. As a future music educator, I tried to examine how these content areas would be used within my classroom.
The two of these content areas I have the most strength in are reading and math. As an avid reader, I feel I would definitely be able to help students to read in my classroom. You may be thinking that math can not be used in a music classroom, but it definitely can be used. Teaching note values to students involves math, however basic, but this skill is essential to understanding how to read music.
My weaknesses fall in science and social studies. As I further my education and career, I intend to work on incorporating these disciplines into my classroom. A website entitled Edutopia is a great place to start this search. They have pages developed specifically for teachers. One which relates specifically to this idea of expert knowledge and Teacher Development is particularly useful.
In order to become a successful teacher I need to focus on my specific area of music but also to pay attention to how to teach this subject effectively. I think teacher development is important even after finishing college. It is a process that should keep moving forward throughout my career.
The two of these content areas I have the most strength in are reading and math. As an avid reader, I feel I would definitely be able to help students to read in my classroom. You may be thinking that math can not be used in a music classroom, but it definitely can be used. Teaching note values to students involves math, however basic, but this skill is essential to understanding how to read music.
My weaknesses fall in science and social studies. As I further my education and career, I intend to work on incorporating these disciplines into my classroom. A website entitled Edutopia is a great place to start this search. They have pages developed specifically for teachers. One which relates specifically to this idea of expert knowledge and Teacher Development is particularly useful.
In order to become a successful teacher I need to focus on my specific area of music but also to pay attention to how to teach this subject effectively. I think teacher development is important even after finishing college. It is a process that should keep moving forward throughout my career.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Chalk and Wire
Chalk and Wire, a seemingly simple idea, has become a major discussion between Luther College's education majors. This online portfolio is a way for teachers to track students developments, and for students to provide examples of how they are developing as an upcoming teacher. I think this online portfolio is a great idea. With the world already focused on the internet, how great it will be for future employers to learn about you before they even meet you!
I have come to realize that not many people on campus think this is a good idea. Honestly, I think most of the reasoning is because they don't want to do the work. But if you think about it, we all need to put together a portfolio anyway. Why not do it online? Our presentation in class was very helpful in helping us actually use Chalk and Wire. So why are people still against it?
Some reasons why people do not want to fulfill this requirement are the cost, and the vague nature of the portfolio itself. This program is very expensive for a seemingly low amount of benefit. If it was not required to pass the class, I know some people would not invest this money. However, for me the main reason it is so difficult to understand is the limited information students have received. I looked up Chalk and Wire at other schools, and here are what their websites show. The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has an education program webpage devoted to chalk and wire. This website answers questions as to why Chalk and Wire is required. Similarly, Hope College has a website which introduces the "Tech Team" who is available for any help needed with Chalk and Wire.
In order to make Chalk and Wire a beneficial tool for students, Luther needs to implement its use more strategically. Communication between the department and students would help bridge the gap that is currently formed between students and Chalk and Wire. If more information were available, more students would realize how this portfolio can be very useful to them in the future. There is no doubt that face to face meeting is superior to any online activity, this portfolio is simply a way to start a more personal interaction.
Please feel free to check out the above links to other Chalk and Wire pages.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Let's do something!
How do family roles shape our lives? Are they really that important?
I believe that family dynamics are the most important aspects of raising children. A perfect example of this is the social system in Vietnam. Doan Van Diew, from Ho Chi Minh University in Vietnam spoke to our Education Psychology class this past Monday. He had conducted research about what students and parents value in Vietnam. The evidence overwhelmingly showed that both students and parents valued respect, and secondly success in education.
For us here in the United States, this may seem foreign. Sometimes we cannot even seem to respect ourselves, let alone other people. People here may try to put the emphasis on recieving a sucessful education, but do the students believe it? With all of the reality tv shows out there, the biggest one probably being American Idol, children see that success does not necesarily come from doing well in school. This issue is growing and growing in todays society.
I think that all people in this country should take a look at other cultures. It is important to look around us to see what is working. If we could adopt a new set of standards based on respect, we could go very far. Teachers wouldn't have to worry about babysitting students. The students would learn at home that it is important to respect your peers and other adults. This alone would help more learning happen in schools. It's as simple as making a slight change in the family dynamics and teaching parents how to teach their children. We need to change our attitude, because doing nothing is never the best route to a solution.
I believe that family dynamics are the most important aspects of raising children. A perfect example of this is the social system in Vietnam. Doan Van Diew, from Ho Chi Minh University in Vietnam spoke to our Education Psychology class this past Monday. He had conducted research about what students and parents value in Vietnam. The evidence overwhelmingly showed that both students and parents valued respect, and secondly success in education.
For us here in the United States, this may seem foreign. Sometimes we cannot even seem to respect ourselves, let alone other people. People here may try to put the emphasis on recieving a sucessful education, but do the students believe it? With all of the reality tv shows out there, the biggest one probably being American Idol, children see that success does not necesarily come from doing well in school. This issue is growing and growing in todays society.
I think that all people in this country should take a look at other cultures. It is important to look around us to see what is working. If we could adopt a new set of standards based on respect, we could go very far. Teachers wouldn't have to worry about babysitting students. The students would learn at home that it is important to respect your peers and other adults. This alone would help more learning happen in schools. It's as simple as making a slight change in the family dynamics and teaching parents how to teach their children. We need to change our attitude, because doing nothing is never the best route to a solution.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
More Hope
The conclusion of the movie "Chalk" was really interesting. When watching the movie again, I realized that it seemed as if they were portraying teachers as being stupid, or incompetent. I think this is a very untrue view. However, as I watched further and saw the end of this movie, I realized that these teachers had shown so much growth throughout this first year at the school. The first year history teacher was able to loosen up and involve his students in the classroom. He even came up with the idea of the Hornet's spelling bee for the teachers.
This idea is what interests me so much in teaching. How can we, as teachers, connect with students? There are subjects that each student can excel in, and it is our job to spark and guide that interest. I think that the new history teacher would have learned and loved teaching more if he had started out the year in a good way. Learning from mistakes and experiences is the most valuable way to learn.
If I can go into a teaching situation and help at least one student I will feel successful. However, my goal is to help many more than one. I just want to help kids find something they love, and give them something to look forward too. It will be a tough road to follow, but I feel like after watching this movie, I have more hope for my future as a teacher.
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