Assessment Education Issue

The presentation on assessment in terms of NCLB and other areas was very good! I liked the station type presentation style and each station had a very different and engaging of making their points. I liked the board game a lot, and I liked that I won! It was clear that a lot of effort was put into that aspect of the presentation. Scenarios are always fun, so I enjoyed being able to act out a skit as well. It really helped me understand the concept of how assessments are done, who can be exempt, and some things that determine how one does on an assessment. The station where we were able to make accommodations for students based on situations that they have outside the classroom was very well done as well. It helped us brainstorm ways that we can accommodate assessments for students. It is something that will come up many times is our teaching careers, so it is good to start thinking of solutions now.
All in all, the presentation was very well done. It seems this group put a lot of time in effort in their presentation through the construction of their Wix page and hook activity which was very well done as well. You all did a great job, thanks!

Motivation Educational Issue

The presentation was very useful for me when considering techniques I can use in my classroom to motivate my students. I have never really thought about using games in the classroom, as I have never really played games and feel like there is not educational merit. However, using the links provided I came across some websites which have many video games which incorporate trivia and background knowledge. I found myself playing a game about the construction of a pyramid, and depending on how you constructed it would determine how successful it was. I think that these are good SUPPLEMENTS, but should not be the lesson. As a teacher, I would feel comfortable using these methods, providing that I would take time to explain the importance of the material and how it relates. That way students aren't just playing video games, they're learning about the material as well. One of the stages where we discussed scenarios about behavior problems in the classroom due to lack of motivation gave me a good idea of how to handle common problems that arise in the classroom. I feel that it is important not to immediately discipline a student for acting out, making a joke or other comments, but to try and make a teachable moment out of it, where the students can learn. Overall I feel the presentation was great and I truly learning a lot through taking part in all three of the stations.

Discipline Educational Issue

I really enjoyed the presentation on discipline. The activities allowed me to reflect on my experiences as a student as I thought back to how my classrooms were disciplined and what techniques worked and didn't work. I found that my discipline style was more on the authoritative side, meaning that I value clear expectations and student independence and accountability. When it comes to punishment, the authoritative style recognizes the negative behavior and thinks through how to deal with it, and sticks by the expectations but is not too harsh in punishment. I felt that this was true for my view on discipline, but before the presentation I had not really thought about it too deeply. The skits we performed really helped me understand the types of discipline there are, and which forms I am comfortable with. The essay does a good job of explaining the problems with discipline in schools today, and this was revealed during the presentation in the texts that we looked over in our table groups. The best part was that it was not told to us by the presenters, it was explored and explained through the class as a result of the activities. This presentation was very helpful as I develop my philosophy of education.

Four Philosophies

Idealism is the belief that ideas and concepts are important to know. The physical world is not perfect and a figment of what we think about, while the spiritual world is "reality" and perfect. Idealists value that knowledge and ideas are continuous through time, and are constant. Because of this idealists value the content in education that is unchanging, like figures and the humanities. Idealists believe that learning is done best using dialogue led with questions from the teacher to challenge beliefs.
Realism is almost the opposite. It places value in reality and the physical world as the basis for knowledge and scientific investigation. Unlike Idealism, Realists believe that truth can be found in the physical world. Experience, reasoning, and experimentation is valued.
Pragmatism believes in change and a dynamic universe, and in a state of growth, and the idea of valuing experiences. Since they believe that the world is always changing, students need to be able to question and rethink to keep up with the changing world.
Existentialists believe that reality is just lived existence, there is no meaning, basically life is what you make it as an individual. Knowledge should be personal and all about the individual and the human condition. They believe that schools should center on the student and help them achieve self-actualization, and treat the students as individuals.
I believe that I am a combination between realist/idealist. There are aspects of both that I find I show. I like having discussion based lecture. I like having my students think about concepts and questions which may have no definite answers as well.

Teaching Hope: Rejuvenation

This chapter in teaching hope was one that I really enjoyed reading. The first passage of the chapter was one that stuck with me and I kept reflecting back to the entire time I was reading. I really liked the concept of the boys including Blake, a special needs boy, the play basketball with them. The chapter begins with the teacher coming back to school after missing a day and reading a note from the sub who did not have many nice things to say about the class. Then there was a second note from the special ed. teacher who praised the students for including one of hers in the game outside. When discussed in class, they said that they felt bad for him and wanted to include him in their game. For the teacher, this meant more to her than a note that a substitute left for her. She knew that she had good students, regardless of how they may have acted for the sub.

The second passage I chose, 111, which involved Temika being a troubled student always starting fights and being disciplined at school. After going a long period of time writing in her journal without marking any entries that could be read by the teacher, one finally appeared. Through reading it, she realized that Temika probably has reason for acting the way she does. Though she was a troubled student, and even after marking that entry was such, the teacher vowed to never give up on her as others had done to her in the past. When a student like that is in your classroom, all you can do is model how one should act and find small ways to help them cope with what they're going through until one day hopefully something clicks.

Finally, passage 112 was very intriguing to me. Partly because it was not in a regular ed. classroom, but a psychiatric youth center, and reason being that Chuckles and Max goes crazy the entire time in the background, yet the teacher keeps his cool. He even gets punched in the face by Max, and remains calm. Granted this is an environment where this behavior may be commonplace, however I admire his willingness to not be aggressive in any way. At the end of the passage, where he tells Max that the reason he was still in class was because he did not say anything to those who would prevent him from going, Max understood that the teacher was looking out for him and respected him for that. Little things that help your students go along way. I feel that if they know that you look out for them, they will try harder to be successful.

Multicultural Education Educational Issue

The topic of multiculturalism is a very debatable one with many ideas and aspects, which was shown through three debates on various issues pertaining to multicultural education. I strongly believe if gender roles and sexuality are present in a teenagers world, then what they are reading should pertain to it, or learning about should in some way incorporate it. Not that I am saying to teach sex, safe sex practices, or anything like that. But to find some way to incorporate common issues that appear in an adolescents life. I hope that as time goes on society's views of sexuality shift and allow the widespread use of materials dealing with gender and sexuality. Discussing it in a mature classroom setting can be very beneficial to students. Religion is another controversial topic under multiculturalism and just as the Department of Education states, I too believe that religion can be taught without displaying personal and religious beliefs on students. There are many relevant books that deal with culture, tradition, and religion, and almost all of them are important to a history class. I believe literature about Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, and other religions have a place in a history classroom. I would not be afraid to use a book with a religious or sexual content, provided it is relevant to class and that I am confident my students are mature enough for it.

The Story of School: 1980-2002

In the fourth episode of the story of school, we saw fundamental shifts in education. Teaching became more individual and a personal experience than a business. City schools created small learning environments withing the school building to foster a stronger educational experience. However, school funding was definitely at a low. Schools that were built around the same period of time in the 1940's or so were starting to deteriorate, leading to poor and somewhat dangerous learning environments. It was pretty shocking to see students walking through schools where there was water leaking in the hallways, or classes being held in closets and hallways. That is not how one receives a quality education, and by the end of episode 4, some ideas were discussed that improved these conditions. The concept of charter schools and specialty education were discussed, which helps give students a smaller working environment, as well as learning that interests them on a more personal level. The fourth episode of this series was very interesting, and was kind of a reality check as the the types of teaching and learning that is still happening around the country today.

Article: Nation At Risk

The Nation at Risk was a document produced by a blue-ribbon commission in 1983 that was designed to point out the problems with the American education system. The document outlines the state of American education. A shocking stat is brought up that states only about one-fifth of American students could write a persuasive essay, or could solve a math problem that consisted of more than one step. The report also states how 13 percent of students were illiterate, and goes on to state that there are 23 million American adults who were illiterate and had difficulty with reading and writing. The report discusses why America needs to place more emphasis on the education system. American students need to be able to compete with students from around the world. The report even states that the education problems are a threat to national security. It would lead to more funding for education and prevented Ronald Reagan from abolishing the Department of Education and cutting federal funds.

I would say that the Nation at Risk was a harshly written document, but one that made sense and was speaking with urgency. I would say that it does seem to put all schools in the same category of failing, but the general notion that the schools are in bad shape and opinions of education have been changing would be pretty accurate. Many students try to do the least amount of work to get by. We live in a world were more students are picked on for being smart and doing their work than the students who don't care about school. We need to place more importance on education, on doing your work to the best of your abilities, and we need to pay teachers more in order to keep the best and brightest minds well educated.

The Story of School: 1900

Schools before the year 1900 were very different then they are now, or even 50 years ago. The whole concept of Dame Schools was very interesting to me. Schools where female teachers typically taught and cared and nurtured their students. Its something I think all teachers should do anyway, but it was cool to see that is where their focus was. Not just solely on education, but it helping their students grow up. For the most part, only the most privileged students were the ones who went on to high school. We think of high school as being mandatory, but prior to 1900, only basic skills were needed to be successful outside of the educational setting. I found it very interesting how President Jefferson only asked for women to complete three years of education, which he believed was enough to have women successfully run a household and be able to complete all the duties of a mother/wife. Common Schools were something that I think was ahead of its time. Before integration there were these common schools, where students of all social classes and religions were accepted and able to come and learn without fear of being discriminated. Education was a lot different in the years prior to 1900, however somethings have remained virtually the same.

Teaching Hope: Disillusionment

The passages in Disillusionment were definitely a reality check for me. We all have this perfect picture in our heads of what we want to do with our classrooms, how we want to teach, and maybe even an idea of how we would address discipline problems. What we often forget about is the baggage our students bring to class with them. All of these entries dealt with students lives outside of school and how one's environment has a stronger hold on us than we think. These passages often left the teacher at a loss, for they tried to do what was in their power as a professional to help the student. Most often they failed, however, as the students gave up on themselves. It was a reality check for me as I realize that teaching will not always be a happy gratifying experience. There will always be problem students, or ones whose environment has the ultimate control over them.

In my classroom, I will need to keep in mind that my students have lives outside of my classroom. I need to respect that, and make the environment of my classroom one that students can feel relaxed in. I need to also keep in mind that there needs to be a professional boundary set in place where I am not putting myself in the position of being a friend to my students. In the end, we are all people. We all have issues and everyone deserves someone who can listen to them and offer advice, however simple it may be.

Teaching Hope: Engagement

It was a little easier reading these passages than it was reading any of the ones in the last section of Teaching Hope. However, there were quite a few passages that were sad to read. Many of them dealt with students who faced racial prejudice. Everyone who I read about handled it courageously though. The journal idea that was used many times in this section of the book sounds like something I would like to somehow incorporate into my classroom. It gives students a chance to reflect on things going on in their lives, and gives me the unique opportunity to find out things about my students that I might normally never know. I believe this section of the book is called Engagement because it discussed what teachers have done to get their students engaged and more involved in the classroom. In some of the passages, the teachers have done it on a one on one level, while others addressed issues in a full class discussion. It was interesting to read how different teachers handle a range of issues that are sometimes bound to come up in a classroom of multicultural students.

School: The History of Education 1950-1980

Episode 3 was a very interesting video. I learned a lot about the politics that was surrounding public education at the time. There were many programs that were created out of these decades. Programs such as head start, and low cost college loans. Also, congress helped to pass the civil rights acts of 1964, part of which made segregation in schools illegal. There were many reforms that were established during this time in history, but one I have never really heard about or paid attention to was the Bilingual Education Act set in place for Mexican-Americans. During this time, Mexican-Americans were going through the same struggles that African-Americans went through just years before. Another interesting thing that the film discussed was the enactment of Title IX, which made discrimination based on sex for any educational purpose illegal. My group in class is going to study Title IX more at length, which I am very interested in doing.

Generation Article

Hammill begins his article by reviewing today's problems in the workplace between different generations. The workplace today is the first where four different generations are working side by side. For the most part, years ago, the bosses of companies and organizations were older then their employees. The younger employees learned to respect their elders and knew their role was beneath them. Today, the age range is much more mixed with some bosses being much younger than their employees. There is a big issue with generation gaps and communication since each different generation communicates in a different way. For this reason, everyone needs to understand where each generation comes from so that we can communicate better and understand more fully. It is important for managers and leaders in a workplace to get to know their employees and how they communicate so that they can run a successful company.

I really liked this article because it pointed out a big problem in the workplace today. Studying to be a teacher, I have seen teaching styles change drastically in the classroom in a very short amount of time. I know that when I start teaching with new innovative techniques, many of the older teachers will probably not approve. I have already heard stories of this happening. Throughout my schooling, I have experienced a mix of teaching styles from traditional to very innovative and there have been pros and cons with both. As a teacher, I am going to try to use a little bit of both because they can both be quite effective when done right. I believe this article was great in pointing out the problems with generation gaps and how employees and bosses of any workforce need to make an effort to mutually respect each other. By doing so, communication can be much easier and employees will understand each other better.

School: The History of Education 1900-1950

Watching episode 2 of this series was very interesting to do! As a social studies concentration I like watching historical footage. The history of school and public education being known as "as American as apple pie" was a concept I never knew about. I always hear about how school was very different and how things that were done in schools decades ago would not fly in schools today, but I have never seen any of those things. It was interesting to see how multicultural the majority of the classrooms were, however I didn't necessarily agree with the fact that educators forced all students to kind of leave their national heritage at the door and speak English only in schools. Another interesting thing in the video that I noted was how tracking was done. It was a lot more serious than it is today, as between the years 1900 and 1950, students were tracked into the jobs they were going to do, or the track to be prepared for college. It was up to the schools to determine who was smart enough to be on the college track. There was little maneuverability as a student.

Teaching Hope: Challenges

As was discussed in class today, this section of the book was for the most part sad. There were so many things that I read that I could not even imagine being issues secondary teachers would have to face. Reading this section really made me aware of the commonality of so many different problems teens carry around with them.

One of the passages that meant a lot to me was 22, the story about Sierra who was the incredibly depressed girl who made multiple attempts to take her own life. I feel the theme of this passage was about how every teacher should try and form a relationship with your students. This teacher wanted to make known to Sierra that she had similar problems with depression, but overcame them and made her life better. Making connections, appropriate connections, is a great thing to make with your students to help encourage and welcome classroom environment.

The next story, number 23 was one of the more depressing ones in the section of the book. it was the story of Kate, a very gifted student who had no success making friends in school and was always being made fun of and ridiculed for her study habits. After years of being alone and solely dedicated her time to school work, life came to a head and she took her life. It was a very sad passage as we commonly think of the troubled children who take their lives. This was a brilliant girl who could have done amazing things in life and the struggles of living in a society where population dominates became too much. Students need to have an outlet, and if you're a teacher that notices something wrong and you can do something to fix it, I believe it is your duty to.

Teaching Hope Reflection

Teaching Hope has been a great read so far. For me, most of the stories are about things that I think will happen to me or I will do once I am a teacher. Three passages stood out to me. Passage number 3 was one of them. Mrs. Lancing is the type of teacher I feel that I will be in the future. She doesn't want to be a strict, no messing around teacher. She wants to connect on a personal level with each of her students and tell them about where she has come from and experiences she has had. That is part of the reason I am anxious to be a teacher myself. I am anxious to engage students in the curriculum, but also to teach them about life and help them with things that come up throughout their lives. Mrs. Lancing had a similar thought that I have had about getting on a personal level with students, and that is where to draw the line. There has to be a line that cannot be crossed. When the teacher gets too relaxed and the teacher/student line is blurred and becomes friend/friend or whatever the term one finds appropriate, the level of learning decreases I feel. Like Mrs. Lancing, I want to have a good relationship with all of my students, I need to keep in mind that it needs to be a professional one as well.

Passage number 6 was another one that I found very interesting. Having to deal with a student who comes from a poor home life is challenging. You don't want to be very strict and keep the child who obviously needs sleep, along with someone who understands him/her, but you don't want to just let the student feel like he/she can just fall asleep in class and not focus on what is being taught. Keeping up to date on popular and current teaching styles that help keep students engaged is something like the teacher in this passage I want to continue to do throughout my career. It does nothing but benefit the student by keeping them engaged, and helps give me more motivation to find new and innovative ways to teach effectively.

Passage 12 was the third passage that I found very intriguing, and hopefully its about a situation I will never be in. Planning curriculum and preparing to teach a class that I would end up not teaching would be very stressful to me and many of teachers. I have also heard the phrase "Don't smile until Christmas". This is something that I don't necessarily believe. A teacher can be strict and firm, but also have a laid back approach and fun teaching style. Students don't only need someone to teach them fundamentals of the subject of the class, they also need someone to help them understand the struggles of life.

Diversity Article

Though educators in general believe that not all students learn the same way, they often treat their students similarly. A student’s family background, culture, and SES affect his/her learning. Currently, educators are more biased towards uniformity over diversity. Educators need to determine what material can be taught is a similar way to all students, and what needs to be taught in different ways to engage each student. Instructional tools must be created and adapted to all students so as to cater to each student’s specific learning needs. Culture and learning style among students are connected, as well as the culture of an educator and his/her teaching style. To achieve diversity, an educator must believe in a deep understanding of the multiple learning styles that each student possesses. Learners who are accommodated more frequently by way of learning style often receive more immediate success.
This article was a good refresher for me. It talked about the importance of teaching to each student’s style of learning, and stressed the importance of discovering each students abilities and learning style early. Having background information on different types of learning and things to look for to assess each student’s learning style is an important aspect of being a well prepared educator. The article made me excited about discovering new ways to engage students and help each one be successful. I want to be a teacher of the 21st century who uses technology and new and different teaching styles to benefit all of my students.