Some topics that stuck out to me in our discussion was, number one, the issue of performance based grade levels rather than age based grade levels. I have been thinking a lot about it and there are positives and negatives to both sides. One thing that keeps coming back to my mind is that if students are grouped by age, than the majority of the students will be at the same developmental level. I think it would be difficult for an educator to teach their students when some of their brains are ready to grasp the concept while other brains have not fully developed to that level. I can also see the harmful affects to other students if an older brother and younger brother were in the same class. It might be damaging to the self esteem and self worth of many. I can also see the positive effects of age grouping because if the majority of the students are on the same level, it might be a more beneficial learning environment.
But then another thing I think is that, if you group students by ability, are lower SES students going to be left behind simply because they didn't have the same opportunities that the other students had at an early age? Not that I don't think low SES students can do great and still rise above, but is grouping by ability just widening the gap and making the divide between lower and higher SES students even greater? It's a hard one to call.
And say a student is at and 8 grade math level but at a fifth grade reading level. Is he going to be expected to do everything at an eight grade level in order to receive the proper level of math? If so, that would be an unrealistic expectation. How about if you had a student going to one class for eighth grade math, then going to a fifth grade reading class and then a sixth grade science class, and then a seventh grade social studies class ect.... how could you possibly work out a program that meets every students needs at every different level and have them traveling around all day. It's more like that in high school, but even then it is not this extreme.
So the question remains what is better. For me, it is really the lesser of two evils, rather than choosing the good one over the bad one.
Another thing I remember talking about was the current set up of the education system. I really liked what the one kid in the corner said about having the government set up a curriculum, the state set up objectives, and then the rest was up to individual districts. I do understand the desire for standardization, but standardization should only be the minimum rather than the only measurement. I think if your students are at a certain level, a teacher should have the right to explore other topics rather than being bookended by the objectives. I know this will sound cheesy but I like cheesy and it is appropriate for the situation. In the movie Pirates of the Carribbean, Captian Barbosa says that the Pirates rules aren't so much rules as they are like guidelines. I think educational policies should be the same. They should be more of a guiding path that outlines things that should be taught rather than, "teach this or say good bye to your job." However, that is just my opinion.
The last thing that I remember about our class discussion was talking about the PRAXIS tests... the first one I can see, even the second one, but history PRAXIS has GOT to change. It is seriously the most ridiculous thing. I got a study book and the opening words are, "If you are really going to take this test, all we can say is good luck." Really? Thats how you open a book... written to help you pass this test... I agree with the one student who had the idea of splitting the test into subject areas so you know what your going to be tested on instead of saying, "OK, you are being tested on the creation of earth to today, for every country and culture on earth plus the interactions between them." What a joke, nonetheless, I can not change the system. Well, at least in time to make it so I don't have to take the test!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Course Contract Review
1. For all but this last week, I have started my homework the day it was assigned and have even completed it a few days early. I have taken all my notes for ed psych and my other classes in the new note taking format that I learned at the beginning of the semester. For the most part, I have stayed pretty positive, I haven't gotten too frustrated with myself or too negative.
2. The last week has been pretty crazy for me! I didn't start my homework the day off this past week and I can tell a big difference. I am more stressed! I also haven't been eating that well. I did really good at the beginning of the semester and am doing better now, but it got a little scary in between there. I feel better when I eat better, I just need to remember that.
3. I feel for the most part, I am making sufficient progress. I think the biggest thing for me is to just stay focused. I need to remember my goals and just stick to them. I have been doing better this semester and I think part of that was because I really reflected on the goals that I wanted to make and wrote them down. I think that has been a big motivation for me.
4. As I stated before, I just need to remember the goals that I have made and just stick to them. It's good for me to review them often, so I am going to do that. I think another thing that I should do is just schedule my time. If I make goals for the day and for the week than maybe my time will be managed better!
5. I think I started out with mastery mindset but I am shifting to performance. I feel like I have done really good all semester but it has just been this last week that has been so tough. I really want to focus more on the mastery mindset so I am going to manage my time better so I can.
2. The last week has been pretty crazy for me! I didn't start my homework the day off this past week and I can tell a big difference. I am more stressed! I also haven't been eating that well. I did really good at the beginning of the semester and am doing better now, but it got a little scary in between there. I feel better when I eat better, I just need to remember that.
3. I feel for the most part, I am making sufficient progress. I think the biggest thing for me is to just stay focused. I need to remember my goals and just stick to them. I have been doing better this semester and I think part of that was because I really reflected on the goals that I wanted to make and wrote them down. I think that has been a big motivation for me.
4. As I stated before, I just need to remember the goals that I have made and just stick to them. It's good for me to review them often, so I am going to do that. I think another thing that I should do is just schedule my time. If I make goals for the day and for the week than maybe my time will be managed better!
5. I think I started out with mastery mindset but I am shifting to performance. I feel like I have done really good all semester but it has just been this last week that has been so tough. I really want to focus more on the mastery mindset so I am going to manage my time better so I can.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Motivation
1. Ever since I can remember, I have always loved history. I loved learning about war and how war affects people. I grew up hearing my grandpa's war stories. It wasn't until high school, however, that I decided to be a teacher. I had a fantastic history teacher my junior year and it was then that I knew that I was going to teach history! I have had my doubts and concerns, even fears about entering the profession of teaching but for me, the rewards far outweigh my fears. I decided to come to UVU because I heard of the great program that it had. I also decided on UVU because of its location.
2. Some things that motivate me are inspiring stories about people who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, beautiful pictures, interesting places, my family, myself, setting achievable goals, seeing someone I respect have an attribute that I want, grades, learning, and wanting to be better!
3. I think one of the biggest reasons I succeed is that I want my life to be different then where I came from. I came from a pretty intense and volatile background. I never wanted my life to be that way if I could help it, so I changed it. To me, growing up this way was both controllable and uncontrollable. For instance, I could not make choices about where we moved, where we lived, or how my mother chose to spend her time but I could choose to do my homework or what friends I had. I am a big believer that every person controls their future, no matter how dire their circumstances. However, I am also realistic enough to know that many may not feel this way or don't have the capabilities to change their circumstances, even though they may want to. I was lucky enough to be presented with that opportunity that others might never receive. One reason that I fail is probably due to my tendency to spread myself too thin and therefore can't devote as much time to everything I have going on as I would like. For me, failure has an internal locus. If I fail, it is because of something I did, not because of something that happened to me. One of my favorite sayings to live by is that life is ten percent of what happens to you and ninety percent how you react. So, if my reaction is failure, it's because I chose that outcome, not because it happened to me.
4. My goals for this course seem mastery oriented. I would much rather compete with myself than with someone else. Many of my goals focused on changing my habits and learning rather than outperforming someone or completing my goals for external gratification.
5. A great teacher is so, well, subjective. The idea of a great teacher depends a lot on the students previous experience and personality. Some things that I think of when I think of a great teacher include being fair to all students and really working hard to ensure individual success for the students in the class. I feel that through this class, by learning about how different mind sets and thinking processes work, it will better prepare me to handle different types of learning styles and be better prepared to ensure individual success. The more you know, the greater ability you have to help. So, I pretty much want to become as porous as possible and soak up as much information as I can so that I have the tools to help my students.
2. Some things that motivate me are inspiring stories about people who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, beautiful pictures, interesting places, my family, myself, setting achievable goals, seeing someone I respect have an attribute that I want, grades, learning, and wanting to be better!
3. I think one of the biggest reasons I succeed is that I want my life to be different then where I came from. I came from a pretty intense and volatile background. I never wanted my life to be that way if I could help it, so I changed it. To me, growing up this way was both controllable and uncontrollable. For instance, I could not make choices about where we moved, where we lived, or how my mother chose to spend her time but I could choose to do my homework or what friends I had. I am a big believer that every person controls their future, no matter how dire their circumstances. However, I am also realistic enough to know that many may not feel this way or don't have the capabilities to change their circumstances, even though they may want to. I was lucky enough to be presented with that opportunity that others might never receive. One reason that I fail is probably due to my tendency to spread myself too thin and therefore can't devote as much time to everything I have going on as I would like. For me, failure has an internal locus. If I fail, it is because of something I did, not because of something that happened to me. One of my favorite sayings to live by is that life is ten percent of what happens to you and ninety percent how you react. So, if my reaction is failure, it's because I chose that outcome, not because it happened to me.
4. My goals for this course seem mastery oriented. I would much rather compete with myself than with someone else. Many of my goals focused on changing my habits and learning rather than outperforming someone or completing my goals for external gratification.
5. A great teacher is so, well, subjective. The idea of a great teacher depends a lot on the students previous experience and personality. Some things that I think of when I think of a great teacher include being fair to all students and really working hard to ensure individual success for the students in the class. I feel that through this class, by learning about how different mind sets and thinking processes work, it will better prepare me to handle different types of learning styles and be better prepared to ensure individual success. The more you know, the greater ability you have to help. So, I pretty much want to become as porous as possible and soak up as much information as I can so that I have the tools to help my students.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Course Contract
Goal 1: Start homework the day it was assigned in class, no excuses, if, ands, or buts!
Goal 2: Every class period, class notes will be taken in the new style I just learned; Cornell Notes.
Goal 3: Stay Positive! No negative thinking about failing tests or assignments. Tell yourself you are going to do well!
My weekly preparation for this class will include reviewing my notes from the previous week every day. I read in one of the articles that if you do this, your study time will be less stressful as well as just, well, less because you have been doing the work all along! I will schedule time during my week to do this. I am also going to start working on my assignments early so that they are completed well before class time. I am also going to eat better! I am a notorious snacker! One of the suggestions was to eat right, so I will change some of my indulgent snacks for something more nutritious such as an apple, orange or string cheese.
To understand the material better, I am going to use new note taking strategies! This new strategy is going to be a huge help to me, I've never used a note strategy before. Also, if I have a question, I am going to ask it! Sometimes I get too nervous that I will sound stupid if I ask a question and then end up never finding the answer. I am going to do better at that!
If I do not understand a subject, I will try to find out myself. If I can't find it, I am going to ask. I will first ask my peers and then Ms. Cox.
In summary, I will reach my goals in this course by scheduling a time to study my notes and work on my homework, eat better so my focus is improved, use new note taking strategies to improve comprehension and learning, think positively and push out negative thoughts, and ask questions!
Goal 2: Every class period, class notes will be taken in the new style I just learned; Cornell Notes.
Goal 3: Stay Positive! No negative thinking about failing tests or assignments. Tell yourself you are going to do well!
My weekly preparation for this class will include reviewing my notes from the previous week every day. I read in one of the articles that if you do this, your study time will be less stressful as well as just, well, less because you have been doing the work all along! I will schedule time during my week to do this. I am also going to start working on my assignments early so that they are completed well before class time. I am also going to eat better! I am a notorious snacker! One of the suggestions was to eat right, so I will change some of my indulgent snacks for something more nutritious such as an apple, orange or string cheese.
To understand the material better, I am going to use new note taking strategies! This new strategy is going to be a huge help to me, I've never used a note strategy before. Also, if I have a question, I am going to ask it! Sometimes I get too nervous that I will sound stupid if I ask a question and then end up never finding the answer. I am going to do better at that!
If I do not understand a subject, I will try to find out myself. If I can't find it, I am going to ask. I will first ask my peers and then Ms. Cox.
In summary, I will reach my goals in this course by scheduling a time to study my notes and work on my homework, eat better so my focus is improved, use new note taking strategies to improve comprehension and learning, think positively and push out negative thoughts, and ask questions!
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