First off I just need to say that those MIT students really threw me for a loop. There's such a thing as being too connected. I feel that it's very important to disconnect and experience the world first hand. For example, when I go hiking for several hours I turn my phone off and put it at the bottom of my nap sac. I dont need to know what someone is doing or has done while I am in class because they'll still have done it by the time I'm able to talk to them or turn my phone back on to read that text.
As for those kids texting while eating meals together; If my friends just stopped a conversation mid sentence to read something I'd be a little offended.
This movie showed that technology has so much merit when it comes to education. It gets students engaged more by keeping their attention. Grades even went up significantly in some situations simply by introducing technology in to the classroom and utilizing it to it's full potential.
Near the end of the film they examined an army recruitment practice referred to as the "Army Experience Center." Here, kids were allowed to play all sorts of war games free of cost as a way to get them interested in joining the military. I think this is a significant and serious misuse of technology to catch kid's attention. It gives them an unreal ideal of what it's like to be a part of war. As one woman said "there's no reset button in real life."
Over all I think technology is a great thing in moderation. We shouldnt let our youth lose sight of the world right in front of them! Technolgy should be used in such a way that it's benefitting the child and preparing them for the future rather than sheltering them from real life.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Current Main Priority?!
In Erik Erickson's stages of human development I'd have to say I fall right in stage 6 (Intimacy vs. Isolation) My age fits in the stage aswell as my every day thinking. It seems to be an on going thing in my life and the lives of many friends...an inconsistent definiton of their relationship statuses.
Today we were asked what our current main priority in life is. If I were being honest, I'd say that while school and work are main priorities, so is my relationship with the person I'm seeing right now. While more of my time and emphasis are put on school and work, that doesnt necessarily mean that they are more important to me, it just means that I know they need to be done.
Today we were asked what our current main priority in life is. If I were being honest, I'd say that while school and work are main priorities, so is my relationship with the person I'm seeing right now. While more of my time and emphasis are put on school and work, that doesnt necessarily mean that they are more important to me, it just means that I know they need to be done.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Piaget vs. Vygotsky
Vygotsky resonates more with my personal preferences. He focuses on the individual rather than the group. In my opinion, this allows for the success of the struggling individual rather than the average grade of the class.
He's got less structure to his methods which allows for flexibility and change.
He's got less structure to his methods which allows for flexibility and change.
Pys. Ed vs. Academic Success
We watched the video about Allison Cameron and the connection she made between physical activity and academic success rates.
I was blown away by the progress that this teacher made with these students that so many would probably describe as lost causes. Adding Physical activity to their weekly routines drastically improved their grades.
While watching this video I realised how true the lesson really is. When I'm having trouble focussing on homework or studying, I always go to the gym for a couple hours. Once I'm done working out, I can focus without a problem. I never really knew the theories behind these methods, I just knew it worked for me.
I was blown away by the progress that this teacher made with these students that so many would probably describe as lost causes. Adding Physical activity to their weekly routines drastically improved their grades.
While watching this video I realised how true the lesson really is. When I'm having trouble focussing on homework or studying, I always go to the gym for a couple hours. Once I'm done working out, I can focus without a problem. I never really knew the theories behind these methods, I just knew it worked for me.
Why I Want to Become a Teacher?!
Today we were asked why we wanted to be teachers. My answer to this is endless but I'll give you the short and sweet version.
I want a career that has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of others. If I manage to improve even one kids life in all of my time as a teacher, I'll consider that a great success.
I didn't have the easiest time in high school. I was teased for being the fat kid and constantly had my sexuality questioned by my peers. If it werent for a couple of the teachers I had, I would be a very different person today. Seeing first hand the positive effect that good teachers can have has made me want to be a teacher.
Long story short; I would like to make a difference with my work.
I want a career that has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of others. If I manage to improve even one kids life in all of my time as a teacher, I'll consider that a great success.
I didn't have the easiest time in high school. I was teased for being the fat kid and constantly had my sexuality questioned by my peers. If it werent for a couple of the teachers I had, I would be a very different person today. Seeing first hand the positive effect that good teachers can have has made me want to be a teacher.
Long story short; I would like to make a difference with my work.
Effective Teaching
Today we learned about effective teaching in action. While I agree with everything we learned today I also think that it's very important to relate to the kids. This calls for many different strategies or approaches based on the age of students you're dealing with.
Grade twos for example. I think it's imprtant to get down to their level and speak to them as individuals aswell as a group. If they dont understand a part of the lesson, rather then talking down to them like a child, speak to them as if you were speaking to one of your peers.
Relating to the students and showing that you know and understand the social pressures that they're experiencing helps them to see that you're on their side and that you're there to support them along the way (their helping hand in the drawn out experience that we've come to know as scaffolding.)
Grade twos for example. I think it's imprtant to get down to their level and speak to them as individuals aswell as a group. If they dont understand a part of the lesson, rather then talking down to them like a child, speak to them as if you were speaking to one of your peers.
Relating to the students and showing that you know and understand the social pressures that they're experiencing helps them to see that you're on their side and that you're there to support them along the way (their helping hand in the drawn out experience that we've come to know as scaffolding.)
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