What?
The emerging theory quiz suggests that my philosophy of learning is almost equally split between a cognitive and behaviorist philosophy. Presently, I believe that my theory relies heavily on social constructivism. I believe that learners construct meaning from experiences that they have within the culture they live in. I use Piaget’s cognitive stages of development to try to understand how the students I teach might be thinking. In class, I enjoyed learning about the development of the brain and different theories of learning. These things enabled me to better understand the students I will teach. Going into the classroom to observe during my field experience, I was able to see the teacher using different techniques from the theories and watch how the students would learn. I observed the teacher using scaffolding in each lesson that she taught. She used discovery learning in many of her lessons which I thought was very effective for the students to gain an understanding of concepts on their own which I believed help them retain the information better. Small group activities were used several times throughout the day and the teacher encouraged the students to talk through tasks with their neighbors in a cooperative manner. In addition, the teacher must have conditioned the students to behave in a respectful manner which must have take place at the beginning of the year through a behaviorist approach. I felt comfortable in the classroom partly due to the fact that the teacher used educational philosophies which aligned with my own developing educational philosophy. I saw that these strategies worked in the classroom that I was observing which helped me understand their usefulness in the classroom.
So What?
I will use pieces from many learning theories when I am a teacher. I will use Piaget’s stages of cognitive development to understand the logic of how my students might think. I will use this understanding to help them move further in their stages of thinking. As I hope to teach kindergarten, I believe that many of my students will be in the preoperational stage of development. This will impact my classroom in several ways. The students will have an egocentric perspective, so they will not be able to see another’s point of view. As a teacher, I will need to point out different perspectives while reading books and dealing with situations in the classroom to help students see different points of view. I will focus on class inclusion and conservation giving the students opportunities to sort and re-sort, and to reshape and rearrange a substance. Hopefully this will give the students the experiences they will need to begin to understand class inclusion and conservation. I will give my students the opportunity to use discovery learning so that they will be able to construct knowledge from these experiences. I will try to connect new concepts to prior learning and provide many opportunities for social interaction.
I will use many of Vygotsky’s ideas of in my classroom including scaffolding, play, self talk, and providing tasks which are in their zone of proximal development. I believe that adults in every culture systematically teach children the acceptable ways to behave and respond to the world around them. In my classroom I want to include many opportunities for the students to learn in their zone of proximal development. As Vygotsky believed, it is working within a zone of proximal development that learning takes place. Providing challenging tasks with the necessary help will allow my students the opportunity to learn. I will use scaffolding techniques to provide the support they need to learn and experience new tasks which will eventually lead to them accomplishing these tasks on their own. I will take each opportunity I can to tell the students what I am thinking while teaching them so they understand how important it is to talk themselves through more difficult tasks. This will encourage them to use self talk to work through assigned tasks. I will encourage play which will enable the students to practice adult behavior in a non-threatening way.
I will include some behaviorist ideas in my classroom as I believe that students’ behaviors can be a result of the experiences they have in the classroom. From observing my cooperating teacher, I have come to believe that it is the teacher’s responsibility to condition the students through classroom management skills. The students in the class I observed showed respect to the teacher and to my partner and me in every situation. I believe this respect resulted from the teacher’s high expectations and her consistent insistence that the students behave appropriately.
Now What?
As I continue my education here at UVU, I will continue to learn from knowledgeable professors and gain valuable insight from field experiences. I will keep an open mind as to my developing educational philosophy to ensure that I include the proper techniques and strategies that will ensure I teach my future students in an engaging and effective manner. As I continue to build my educational philosophy, I hope I will be guided by exceptional professionals from whom I can use as mentors. I will continue to learn all that I can through course work, observations, hands-on experiences, and personal study to ensure that I will one day be an excellent teacher.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chapter 4 Learning Log
What?
The chapter discusses group differences in regards to cultural and ethnic groups, gender differences, socioeconomic groups, and students at risk. Each of these groups has different characteristics which need to be addressed in order to help students in each succeed. It is important for educators to become familiar with the cultural and ethnic groups differences and keep these differences in perspective. In class, we did an exercise where we looked at pictures of students and made a judgment on what our expectations for each student were. It was interesting in that I looked at facial expressions and body posture to decide if they might be shy, outgoing, or serious; while some others in the class took into account ethnicity. I had not considered the ethnic background in my analysis. As a teacher, I should keep in mind the ethnic background of my students so that in general I might have a better understanding. The final analysis turned out to be that we do have a cultural lens through which we view the world. It was determined that while we need to be aware of group differences and what on average may be a characteristic of a group, we need to treat each student as an individual.
As we also discussed, there are gender differences to take into consideration as well. Although there is very little difference in academics, there remain stereotypical ideas that boys are better in math and science, while girls are better in language arts. The real differences appear in academic motivation, sense of self, relationships, and classroom behaviors. These differences can be accounted for in heredity as well as environment. Dr Cox mentioned that it would be worth our while to video ourselves teaching and see if we treat boys and girls equally. Finally, there is a correlation between socioeconomic status and school performance with students from lower socioeconomic situations performing lower academically. Several risk factors come into play including poor nutrition, inadequate housing, unhealthy social environment, and emotional stress.
So What?
As a future educator, it is important for me to understand there are many group differences. As we live in a culturally diverse world, I need to have an understanding of each of the cultural and ethnic groups that exist in the school community. With a general understanding of these groups, I can begin to better understand my students as individuals. From reading the chapter, I have found that there are many things that I see from my cultural perspective and would not have realized there was a different cultural perspective. An example from the text explained that in some cultures for a child to look an adult in the eye would be showing disrespect. From my perspective, I may have interpreted a child’s unwillingness to look me in the eye as a sight of deception. My lack of cultural understanding would have been a disservice to the child.
Being aware of the gender differences will help me as an educator to provide adequate opportunities for both boys and girls to excel in their education. As mentioned in the text, I must make a concerted effort as I select teaching material to represent both genders in a positive light. Finally, I have the ability to foster resiliency in my students especially those coming from challenging situations. Most importantly, I can provide constancy and strength to my students. I can encourage my students and support them in their endeavors. In addition, I can help identify missing resources through the community to help meet the basic needs of the families in need.
Now What?
I look forward to learning more about cultural differences so that I can better understand and then meet the needs of the students I will one day teach. I realize that I with a greater understanding into other cultures, I will be able to better understand the behaviors my student exhibit. As a future educator, I want to promote a classroom community that welcomes and understands differences. In addition, I hope to be fair in meeting the needs of both the boys and girls I will one day teach. I will make a conscious effort to learn about each child in my classroom and meet their needs so that they will have a positive educational experience in my classroom.
The chapter discusses group differences in regards to cultural and ethnic groups, gender differences, socioeconomic groups, and students at risk. Each of these groups has different characteristics which need to be addressed in order to help students in each succeed. It is important for educators to become familiar with the cultural and ethnic groups differences and keep these differences in perspective. In class, we did an exercise where we looked at pictures of students and made a judgment on what our expectations for each student were. It was interesting in that I looked at facial expressions and body posture to decide if they might be shy, outgoing, or serious; while some others in the class took into account ethnicity. I had not considered the ethnic background in my analysis. As a teacher, I should keep in mind the ethnic background of my students so that in general I might have a better understanding. The final analysis turned out to be that we do have a cultural lens through which we view the world. It was determined that while we need to be aware of group differences and what on average may be a characteristic of a group, we need to treat each student as an individual.
As we also discussed, there are gender differences to take into consideration as well. Although there is very little difference in academics, there remain stereotypical ideas that boys are better in math and science, while girls are better in language arts. The real differences appear in academic motivation, sense of self, relationships, and classroom behaviors. These differences can be accounted for in heredity as well as environment. Dr Cox mentioned that it would be worth our while to video ourselves teaching and see if we treat boys and girls equally. Finally, there is a correlation between socioeconomic status and school performance with students from lower socioeconomic situations performing lower academically. Several risk factors come into play including poor nutrition, inadequate housing, unhealthy social environment, and emotional stress.
So What?
As a future educator, it is important for me to understand there are many group differences. As we live in a culturally diverse world, I need to have an understanding of each of the cultural and ethnic groups that exist in the school community. With a general understanding of these groups, I can begin to better understand my students as individuals. From reading the chapter, I have found that there are many things that I see from my cultural perspective and would not have realized there was a different cultural perspective. An example from the text explained that in some cultures for a child to look an adult in the eye would be showing disrespect. From my perspective, I may have interpreted a child’s unwillingness to look me in the eye as a sight of deception. My lack of cultural understanding would have been a disservice to the child.
Being aware of the gender differences will help me as an educator to provide adequate opportunities for both boys and girls to excel in their education. As mentioned in the text, I must make a concerted effort as I select teaching material to represent both genders in a positive light. Finally, I have the ability to foster resiliency in my students especially those coming from challenging situations. Most importantly, I can provide constancy and strength to my students. I can encourage my students and support them in their endeavors. In addition, I can help identify missing resources through the community to help meet the basic needs of the families in need.
Now What?
I look forward to learning more about cultural differences so that I can better understand and then meet the needs of the students I will one day teach. I realize that I with a greater understanding into other cultures, I will be able to better understand the behaviors my student exhibit. As a future educator, I want to promote a classroom community that welcomes and understands differences. In addition, I hope to be fair in meeting the needs of both the boys and girls I will one day teach. I will make a conscious effort to learn about each child in my classroom and meet their needs so that they will have a positive educational experience in my classroom.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Chapter 5 Learning Log
What?
Kristin Wright, a professor at the school, came in and spoke with our class concerning students with special needs. I took an exceptional students class from Professor Wright last semester and found that she was extremely knowledgeable concerning students with special needs as she has previously taught in that capacity for several years in New Jersey. I am very glad that legislation such as the IDEA has been enacted to protect and educate all students. I understand that as a regular education teacher I will have students with special needs in my classroom. I realize that it will be my responsibility to accommodate the needs of these students in my teaching methods. Understanding the needs of these students and working to adapt to these needs will be the key to helping them reach their fullest potential. It will be up to me to create an accepting and understanding environment where all students can work together and thrive as a class.
In addition to discussing students with special needs, we began researching five different philosophies regarding intelligence. These include Spearman’s g, Catell’s Fluid and Crystallized, Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory, Distributed Intelligence, and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. In my experiences so far in my educational experience, I have only heard of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. From reading the chapter, I believe that each of these theories of intelligence are all very similar in that people are good at different things, and what they are good at has a lot to do with prior experiences.
So What?
As a future educator, I will have students with special needs in my classroom. Some things that can be done to help students with special needs will be helpful to all students in the classroom as well. I can minimize distracting stimuli, use many ways of presenting information, teach study skills and learning strategies and provide study aids. I can provide outlets for excess energy, help my students organize their time, listen patiently, and encourage regular communication. In addition, I can explain clearly my expectations and help to build student self-confidence by providing praise for student successes. Most importantly, I feel I will need to remember that each student is an individual and provide them with the tools to be successful.
I realize I will be called upon to teach a wide spectrum of students from those with special needs to those that are gifted and talented. I will need to prepare to meet the needs of each student. Using multiple teaching methods, I hope to be able to reach the needs of all the students in my classroom. By using different teaching methods, I believe that it gives the student many opportunities to explore what their talents may be.
Now What?
As I continue my education, I believe it is important for me to observe many different methods of teaching so that I can learn different ways to meet the needs of my future students. By closely paying attention to excellent teachers in the field and to professors here at UVU, I feel that I am preparing daily to meet the needs of my future students. In order to meet the needs of students with special needs, I believe that each year as I assess the students in my class I will find it necessary to do additional research into needs that may arise. In addition, taking additional classes and attending seminars on student learning and classroom management will be of benefit to my career.
Kristin Wright, a professor at the school, came in and spoke with our class concerning students with special needs. I took an exceptional students class from Professor Wright last semester and found that she was extremely knowledgeable concerning students with special needs as she has previously taught in that capacity for several years in New Jersey. I am very glad that legislation such as the IDEA has been enacted to protect and educate all students. I understand that as a regular education teacher I will have students with special needs in my classroom. I realize that it will be my responsibility to accommodate the needs of these students in my teaching methods. Understanding the needs of these students and working to adapt to these needs will be the key to helping them reach their fullest potential. It will be up to me to create an accepting and understanding environment where all students can work together and thrive as a class.
In addition to discussing students with special needs, we began researching five different philosophies regarding intelligence. These include Spearman’s g, Catell’s Fluid and Crystallized, Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory, Distributed Intelligence, and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. In my experiences so far in my educational experience, I have only heard of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. From reading the chapter, I believe that each of these theories of intelligence are all very similar in that people are good at different things, and what they are good at has a lot to do with prior experiences.
So What?
As a future educator, I will have students with special needs in my classroom. Some things that can be done to help students with special needs will be helpful to all students in the classroom as well. I can minimize distracting stimuli, use many ways of presenting information, teach study skills and learning strategies and provide study aids. I can provide outlets for excess energy, help my students organize their time, listen patiently, and encourage regular communication. In addition, I can explain clearly my expectations and help to build student self-confidence by providing praise for student successes. Most importantly, I feel I will need to remember that each student is an individual and provide them with the tools to be successful.
I realize I will be called upon to teach a wide spectrum of students from those with special needs to those that are gifted and talented. I will need to prepare to meet the needs of each student. Using multiple teaching methods, I hope to be able to reach the needs of all the students in my classroom. By using different teaching methods, I believe that it gives the student many opportunities to explore what their talents may be.
Now What?
As I continue my education, I believe it is important for me to observe many different methods of teaching so that I can learn different ways to meet the needs of my future students. By closely paying attention to excellent teachers in the field and to professors here at UVU, I feel that I am preparing daily to meet the needs of my future students. In order to meet the needs of students with special needs, I believe that each year as I assess the students in my class I will find it necessary to do additional research into needs that may arise. In addition, taking additional classes and attending seminars on student learning and classroom management will be of benefit to my career.
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