Final Blog Post

Today at midnight is officially our last time to but blog posts for marks, so I was reviewing over what this assignment has done for me. When you sit in class and absorb information, its easy to just it slide right out from under our feet and leave our minds completely, but having this assignment has been so benefitical in so many ways. It causes you to think back to what you learned, how it made you feel and how to use that information. Also, having it here makes it easy to go and look up something you learned in class that might jog your memeory to remember that class more strongly even if it wasn't all written down ont he post.  I have also found that when you put serious effort into thinking about what you learned, it causes you to think about what you learned in a deeper context and in a more abstract way. By looking over my blog entries I was noticed that I often go off my supoosed topic on to tangents that what I started writing about caused me to think of. This is prime example of deeper learning. It takes more work to think about thinking than simply answer a question or two, and so this deeper thinking has given me a groundwork for my education right now and in the future and has caused me to look back on what I learned, how I learned and the teacher I want to become!!!

This is something that a friend of mine on facebook put up on her wall. Read the whole thing, it seems offputting at first but its really quite a good point that is being made.

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do ... babysit! That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time or any time they spend before or after school ... That would be $19.50 a day ............ (7:45 to 3:00 with 45 min. .........off for lunch and planning. That equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to babysit their children. Now, how many students do they teach in a day ... maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year! I'm not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE ... That's $585 X 180 = $105,300 per year. Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries. What about those special education teachers and the ones with Masters degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students = $9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student -- a very inexpensive baby sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!! WHAT A DEAL!!

Make a teacher smile, re-post this to show appreciation and support for teachers.....most of whom just want this strike settled, with language regarding class size and composition restored! Teachers teach because they love children!!
Posted in support of all my teacher friends

"The walk from 'NO' to 'YES'

Today in class we viewed a video on solving conflict and creating peace. It was from a perspective that I had never thought about. In the video it was mentioned that peace is simple, not easy. That causes me to think of conflicts that will indefinitely arise in the classroom. To achieve a peaceful learning community we need a third party involved, an outside perspective that shows us things that our anger and frustration blind us from. A third party can let the two involved parties know whats at stake, maybe something that they hadn't thought of before.  A quote from the video that I can't stop thinking about is " When you are angry you may make the best speech that you will regret forever". I can't help but see the truth and merit in this. Who when they are angry or frustrated say a nasty comment instead of internalizing it, or acts out instead of taking a deep breath and letting it pass. Its easy to let our anger get the best of us, but its not easy to hold back and think about what we might regret saying or doing.

A Functioning Functional Approach

Why didn't we think of this sooner, that's what went through my mind when we began learning more about the functional approach, its like the title states, a functioning approach. Who hasn't been in situations where they are frustrated beyond themselves but don't know how to deal with it. As a teacher we will see outbursts, that's a guarantee, but what we as teachers can change is the way that student will react in the future. The functional approach looks at the why, the what, and the how to go from there now and in the future. Compared to operant conditioning which looks at the visible behaviors, the functional approach looks at possible reasons why that behavior happened, maybe the student had been bullied all day and couldn't take it anymore, maybe he didn't have lunch which made him irritable, you never now until you ask,there are endless reason why someone acts out. We are all different and have different levels to which we can handle scenarios.  It is not wrong for someone to get frustrated, but what can be wrong, but CAN BE CHANGED, is how they go forward from there.

From Google Images

Positive Behavior Support is a very interesting and although I haven't tried it knowing all of this yet, but I'm guessing it is very effective as well, and aim to incorporate it into my future classrooms. It looks at the function that the behavior is in response to, but aims to meet the same function but change the reaction or the response. The basis of this I think is caring. What I mean by that is for a teacher to help a student through this positive behavior support is that they have to care about the student, the situation and how their classroom is managed. When a teacher truly and genuinely cares, the evidence trickles out  and is proved quickly. For a teacher to want to ask what happened, why it happened, it takes their time and effort as well as emotional strength. When a teacher cares, its obvious pretty quickly. I find that the functional approach aims higher than the method of operant conditioning, and also achieves higher from what I have heard.  

From Google Images


Operant Conditioning: How Effective is it?

Operant conditioning has proven its self effective in short term results, but when you are thinking more deeply of its effectiveness in entirety there is some debate. What I mean by its entirety is both the long and short term effects of operant conditioning.

Upon first glance at statistics and proof of its effectiveness one would never think not to utilize this tool, but upon further investigation, this useful and proven tool has only proved itself in the short term. It was mentioned in class of the several 'eyebrow raising' implications that it entails. This same tool is used on successfully training a pet to behave or do a trick, and this same tool is used on children, our children and our future. This is where it gets a little sticky. Operant conditioning fixes the visible problem, the one that disrupts the class, the one that disciplinarians deal with on a daily basis. But that may be all its fixing. After all, its main purpose is to fix the behavior that you see, nothing deeper, nothing  greater than that. To see the flaws in this successful system is to think about what the student is actually internalizing from it.



From Google Images

 Operant conditioning uses four tools: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative reinforcement. These tools are extremely effective in the classroom management side of things. Loud disturbances in class, missed or late homework, the list goes on , but what it misses is whats happening in the background: why was the student acting out, why did the student not complete their homework or why was it late. A quick fix is much easier in a classroom full of students seemingly with their own agendas. 


From Goggle Images

Positive reinforcement is a reward or praise for doing something. This I think, no matter if operant conditioning is right or wrong or what critics do say, every child, student, and person deserves some praise when they have done something right. This reassurance helps build confidence which has also been proven as a useful learning tool. With that being said, the positive praise needs to be evenly distributed and not always directed at the same few students. Each students' ability varies in time and skill and so they will reach success or that 'well done' at different rates but it needs to be there regardless. Also positive reinforcement is helpful to encourage someone who hasn't accomplished the task but has at least tried. Its all in the TRY. When a student gives up one time, it isn't long before its easier and easier to give up on another thing and so on. A positive remark, a smile, or an encouragement can go a long way.




From Google Images



In terms of negative reinforcement, it too has its time and place. A disruptive student leads to a disrupted class which then is a learning environment with not a whole lot of learning happening. It has its time and place, for example, when something is new or fresh to your students, like a guest speaker, negative reinforcement may be one of the few tools that you can use easily and effectively.

Just because operant conditioning has a few holes in it, it has a time and place where it is required and very effective, even if it is short term. We all remember those teachers that lifted us up when we were down, or went that extra mile for us,a lot of those times they were probably using operant conditioning, so it can be a quick fix, but also have long term benefits, even if they aren't the ones that make you grow, they are there to encourage you to grow. Like all things, 'everything in moderation'.

Differential instruction: bringing out the best

Differential instruction was what was covered today in class, I found it helpful to help clarify what is really is, and what it means for the teacher and the student. It gives us all a chance at being successful. The definition that was given states that ' the teacher modifies the content,process and products, through student readiness,interests, and learning profile.' Differential learning gives responsibility to both the teacher and the student when it is effectively done. For a teacher to modify the content, process and product, there is a lot of work involved and time spent outside of what is seen and so when it is done right, the modified lesson plans encourage and excite the student to learn, achieve and want to do both of those as well. There is a very obvious difference between a student who care and doesn't care in school, one of the most obvious reasons is how information is presented.

Under the heading of 'how information is presented' I can compare and contrast my learning. I have had all types of teachers and they have taught in all different ways and methods. I can learn in most of those environments, but I do find it extremely tough to learn in an intimidating environment, and those come in all shapes and sizes as well. It can depend on class size, the ages, the layout of a classroom, how the lesson is taught, and so on, and so this brings me to my next point. In the best of differential instruction there are always factors that we don't expect, or predict and so it's very important for a teacher to be able to adapt and readapt. That is why it is important to understand the different students learning profiles. If you understand their learning profile it will help a teacher to transform the lesson that didn't pan out into something that still falls under that particular learning profile and will engage that student.

Learning profiles as a whole cover a very broad spectrum, but when they are individualized and correctly done they are an extremely useful tool and worth the time spent on them. It helps you to relate to a student which will both help them to feel more comfortable and ask for help, as well as creating a project or assignment that will bring out the best in them.

We are Adults now

Other day in class a very disappointing and disturbing happened to a fellow student of ours at RDC and fellow student in B of Education. This completely heartless and unnecessary attack on a student showed quite clearly that maybe not everyone has grown up, there are some very childish behaviors still happening here at the post secondary level.  I was not aware of the attack until it was mentioned in the next class. I was completely shocked and disgusted that someone at our age, in a educational institute could even think of doing something like that, let alone actually have the nerve to do it.

Its really discouraging to think that maybe that the person who did it is in the same school as me and even in the same educational path as me. After I heard the news I went back to when I was in high school, bullying happened a lot. I lived in a small rural town, and for some reason, bullying instead of enjoying our high school years caught every one's attention. I am one of four children, middle child,  and an older sister to a younger brother and a younger sister this made me very protective of them. We rode the school bus with some people that grew up to be some of my great friends, and some that I can still barely stand to be in the same room as after the things I witnessed them doing to my peers and my family. My youngest brother got bullied a lot, and I can remember so vividly the feelings I had toward those people. Being the older sister, I responded to them,not always in the  most mature way, but its hard to act rationally to those who clearly have no morals or self respect. Since we were young my parents taught us to always stand by your family no matter what, and that is something that has stuck with me until now and I don't think it going anywhere.

Image taken from Google Images

Everyone has experienced bullying in some way, either being the victim, or a witness. This is something that does not have an easy black or white solution, and every situation is different, but as a future teacher, my number goal is to create a safe, positive place for my students to come to, and be open with my students enough so that they themselves feel like they could come to me if something is happening.  Its a horrible feeling to feel like you don't want to go to school because of the bullies there, or what might happen in the lunch room or parking lot.

I found this great video on YouTube. It is a flash mob dance for anti bullying. I think this is a great idea and a great way to raise awareness.
*It is really loud, so turn your volume down at first to find a good sound level. *

'How difficult can this be?' video

Today in class we started watching a video called ' How DIfficult can this be?(F.A.T city workshop). It is very interesting and eye opening so far. How it is presented makes it's topic very real. It deals with teaching children/students with learning or have been said that they have learning disabilities. The video is done with all sorts of normal and high achieving adults and they are put in positions that a child with a learning disability endures each and every day, not just at school.

This video makes you imagine and see what a child goes thru in everything at school and has really helped me understand what it's really like. I always knew it would be tough , although the word tough doesnt even begin to describe how it would be to have one of these learning disabilities, but this video is like putting on a pair of glasses after wearing the wrong ones all these years. It's made me view learning disabilities in a totally different light.

My aunt, who I live with, is the teacher for students with severe learning disabilities. She graduated as a teacher from the university of Alberta with a degree and major in English, and so this has been a big adjustment from teaching high school english classes. Now she deals with something very different every day from a teachers perspective. It's tough, I've learned that much from watching her. She leaves the house at 7am and returns back home at 10:30pm and sometimes later most evenings. Her entire life in the last 3 years has been devoted completely to her job. She was asked to head up the start of the learning disabilities part of the school and since then she and the school have come a long way. She has students that don't get regular meals , and that coupled with a learning disabilities could be paralyzing in a learning environment. Along with the intensity of teaching 25 learning disabled students, she also started a breakfast program in her class so that students that aren't getting the proper nutrition, get a chance at it in her classroom. It has been extremely effective and beneficial. These students have come a long way. Each student in her class needs an individualized lesson plan outline, and has different needs and goals, and last year 9 of her students graduated, so that was amazing to see, but it meant this year she had to start afresh on new plans for her new students. Along with that, there are countless meetings she must attend with the parents and teachers and the principal, and she is in evening classes for sign language for the 2 deaf students in her class. Wow, it seems like I am going on and on, but after seeing that movie, and living with her, I see this all in a whole new light. She is one of the main reasons I wanted to go into teaching. She is a true inspiration to me!

These are some of the things that I noted from the movie that caught my attention:

- misconception is that learning disabilities are a school problem, it's in every part of that students life
- many teachers consider LD (learning disabilities) just something that if you press hard enough is fixable ,that the student is just lazy... WRONG
-anxiety affects the learning , LD students deal with this every day
- LD 's are a lifelong struggle for the child
- first thing that we do in a stressful situation is to look away because makes us not look at the situation but this does not solve the problem
-pace of the class felt too fast for the people in his experiment to show the adults what it's like being a student with LD.
- a normal child processes the answer, the LD child must first process the question then the answer, and so the class feels very fast paced because there is Twice the processing to do
- technique: take LD child aside when no one is around and  explain that you understand and give them something you will do instead of stressing them out in the same situation... Eg... Tell the student that you will only question them when you are standing in front of their desks child can see the teacher moving in her direction and get answer ready already
- LD child may not be able to focus stuff out like everything around of then, may be paying attention but they notice everything around as well
- no one wants to volunteer or take risks , don't like dealing with something if they don't know what's coming up
- LD child learns that if you get an answer right the LD child learns that if you get an answer right the is no reinforcement or anything, but if you get it wrong the teacher has much more negative reinforcement if you get it wrong .
- t eachers often do ' blaming the victim' if they can't answer
- motivation is one of the most confused things in education  today
- LD 's have very little to do with motivation, they are to do with perception instead
- we can all see it ( what is trying to be taught) maybe, but we don't understand it until a teacher brings meaning to it.... Student needs a teacher! 
- lots of teachers assume that if you understand a list of words, you will automatically understand a paragraph with them
- many times a LD child will get in trouble and say he doesn't know what he did wrong and we don't believe him but he is telling the truth.

Post Midterm

After I write a midterm, I like to go back and rerun it in my head and go over what could have been done better, what could have been overlooked while I studied and so on. This midterm is no different, we haven't gotten our marks back, but I feel somewhat confident in how I did. It was a fairly written exam, but a few of the questions confused me, maybe just because of how I had interpreted the information. A few of the questions I felt I had to prove my answer and I didn't feel like the answer could be answered by a yes or no but that is all it required. All in all, I think the midterm was fine, but I should have spent more time on the theories than I did on the readings in the book, because those questions carried more weight than the text questions. These are all pointers that I will definitely take into the next and final exam. Each teacher has a different style and exam style.

Now we are onto new content, but with the other stuff we learned ready to be called on from the back of our brains.

The world is a simple place....Hmmmm?

Busy busy busy, these days. Seems like everything happens at once, like the teachers all had a meeting to create the deadlines in the same week, but clearly that is NOT the case. What happened is I procrastinated until the last minute and left everything until this week to cram it all in. Like that saying goes, "when you point a your finger at someone else, 3 other fingers are pointing right back at you" , so it's time to step up to the plate and take some responsibility for my actions.

Classes this past few days have been very engaging for me lately, not sure if I'm trying harder or the content matter is more along the kinds that I can relate to and understand more clearly,probably the latter. I enjoy the examples used in class to relate something that has usually happened to me in class, or to someone I knew in class, to a big, crazy, definition or theory. This makes it much more real and in studying for the midterm I have found when I think of what the content is, I think more of the example then the theory, and then it makes a little path of remembering to get to what it is. It's been really effective. I've started also using this method of studying for my other classes.

Also in my other classes, I have used content that we have learned in EDPY in class discussions and in understanding relatable topics. We were discussing a moral issue and it was interesting to think of the different theories and stages we learned on moral devilment and think about why they may have answered or not have answered in a particular way to a question or debate.

One of my teachers says over and over " the world is a simple place as long as you place structure upon it" , which in many cases is true. In teaching it's a little more complex as to where , how and when the structure should be used, but even as a rule to self to not drive myself crazy. For example, Tuesday's and thursdays are days I focus mainly on anthropology and psychology, whereas the other three days I tend to devote to EDPY and math. It makes everything I'm learning much more manageable. It's interesting to see that what we learn in collage is not solely content, it's much more. It teaches us how to organize our schedules effectively and also that we all need a little breathing room as a break. For some of us it's going out for a drink, for others, maybe going to the gym, but some time away from studying and typing and so on is needed for sanity reasons.

Midterm Approaching!

With the midterm edging closer and closer, its crazy to think that its already that time, and daunting to think of the midterm itself.  We are all heading of the direction of being teachers ourselves and right now are very much still students. Not quite 'wearing the teacher cap'... still worrying about deadlines, projects, exams, etc, but I got thinking to myself about this.

 But we never really finish being a student throughout our whole life. Hopefully we are aiming to be life long learners, therefore lifelong students. Even when I become a teacher I will be learning new material everyday, having deadlines, meeting new faces and trying to understand them, and so. So even if we aren't intending on being life long learners, I guess it happens anyways, I think the best thing to do then is to embrace it.

Embrace the challenges of being a continual learner and what it takes to do if effectively. I'm sure we've all been around a person who hasn't necessarily embraced this...Pride surprisingly and negativeity can get in the way without really noticing it. Lifelong learning is admitting we're wrong, when we are wrong; saying sorry when we've done something wrong; going the extra mile, even when we are exhausted; its awesome( for lack of another word) what happens when this happens. My grandma was an excellent example of this.

There I go rambling on and on, back to the books for me!! Study! Study! Study!

What'd I miss?

The last two classes I missed, and so I tried to catch up over the weekend which just so happened to be thanksgiving...so happy belated Thanksgiving!!
I looked up in more detail Carol Gilligan and her thoughts on moral development. I found her theory and ideas very interesting and she has managed to stick out in my mind. She found Kohlbergs theory to be biased and sexist. He only used males in his studies. The vital flaw with this testing is the key fact that boys and girl develop differently and at different rates. You see it in kindergarden, right up to the end of high school.  Kids play differently, act differently, and make their decisions differently. Therefore develop differently in many ways. Of course they do have similarities in several areas as well.

IQ Testing

IQ testing...everyone wants to know their own IQ, and where they fit in, in the scheme of things. Everyone wants to think that that are smart, and so in this sense I do not see the harm in IQ Testing. I believe that the harm comes when it begins to affect a child and where they too see themselves in their learning. Every child learns at their own pace and may reach a point of intelligence before another, but may plateau at another point. My sister had several intelligence tests done on her, and she was found that she could move up several grades in mathematics and English, but she chose not to. She chose not to because she did not want to separate herself from her friends and enjoyed being in that grade at that age. Also she would have found certain things different like maturity levels and so on and so may have found herself behind in other things, which is a horrible feeling for a child in uncertain circumstances.

Many children are convinced to move into grade ahead of them., and then the school and parents and the child them self find out that they are out of their league in other ways, maybe in socializing, or other areas that affect them, which then puts a strain on their already strained atmosphere of being with all the 'big kids'.

As much importance as you can put on intelligence, social adjustments are just as important or more. Socializing is used in every single aspect of our life in some way, and not being properly 'socialized' can affect every aspect of our life. If you spent several years of your life not hanging out with kids your own age, you will be affected by that too. Also in regards to IQ testing, so much work is put into creating and doing the IQ tests, with little benefit from them in comparison to the work. Once you are labeled with something, it is hard to get rid of that label.

Lawrence Kohlberg and Heinz Dilemma

In class today we discussed the 'Heinz' dilemma. It was very interesting to hear the different viewpoint from others in the class. There were so many different opinions on what to do from a class of under 70 people. I always find this very interesting to see. It makes me think how hard it must be to be in charge of things much bigger like a premier of Alberta, or prime minister of Canada. Not everyone will ever have the same opinions on very many things. Many this is a little off topic but it's just what popped into my head.

When answering the question of what do do in that dilemma, I found my overwhelming answer would be to steal the drug. If I can help the ones I love in any way I will usually do it. As I've mentioned before, I have spent nights in the hospital with my cousin, or picked my sister up from a friends house at 4:30 in the morning, when I am comfy and warm in my bed. I know those examples are different from actually going as far as stealing, but in terms of those I love, I would do almost anything for them. Our group discussed this a lot and the overall consensus was the same as mine. We took into consideration things like age, or situations as well. I believe that a good parent would stop at nothing to save their child. I realize in this scenario it is his wife, and I believe the same for true love. I like what was mentioned from supporters of the other side of the coin, but it did not manage to sway my opinion.

In class we also started to discuss Kohlberg's theory on moral development. I enjoyed what was mentioned in regards to Kohlberg, that he took a cognitive look at moral development, not just from behaviors or emotional actions. I also found it very interesting that many of his ideas and theories stemmed from Piaget's theory. Its hard to pinpoint why someone might do something, but its an interesting and necessary before you judge someone else's personal choices. Sometimes I find myself wondering why someone would do something that to me seems completely ridiculous, but what I need to understand and come to realize is that they are at a different stage than my own in their developments, and that I am not necessarily right in my actions either.

We also learned about the process of internalization which was interesting because it was along the same lines as some of the topics that we discussed in my Anthropology class. We were discussing meaning yesterday. We discussed reasoning behind actions, and how or why people from different cultures may act in a way that does not fit in with our culture right now. Not directly the same as it, but it made a connection in my mind I guess. :)

I really do not know what stage to place myself in. I do not yet completely understand them well enough. I do think that maybe in certain things I may be in the 3rd stage but in others I am not quite there. I also think of the discussion in class today that got quite heated. What I wonder is this: Are certain students at a certain maturity of this development and others at a different stage because of what they said, or does it take into consideration why we choose what we chose. Hmmm.... I think I have some weekend readings ahead of me to figure it all out.

Digital Nation

The digital nation...seems like a crazy thought, but its real. We see it everywhere, from the workplace, the hospital and even the classroom. Must admit, I've never been too savvy with technology, but it's not because I did not have the opportunity. I have had a cell phone since I was 13, and at that age everyone thought that was way too young for it, but now, my younger cousins and friends children all have cell phones, ipads, and ipods. Things are changing pretty quickly. But not necessarily for the worse.

It seems intimidating to walk into a classroom and not know everything that's happening at that time. But technology in the classroom is pretty cool too. In grade one my classroom had books, chalkboard and an old computer(I say old, but it was new for then) and a phone. Now if you walk into a majority of classrooms, everyone has a computer, their own phone, and the chalkboard/whiteboard is replaced with a projector or a 'Smartboard'. Things have definitely changed. When I was in grade school I didn't get bored with the little technology we had there, but if a student was to sit in a classroom like that now things would be different. My parents sure thought that my grade one classroom had it all. They had even less in their classrooms, but they didn't think it was minimalistic, it's what was there at that time. Our perspectives change. This topic was mentioned in the film we watched in class called ' Digital Nation'. A quote from that film was "Technology is like oxygen" and when I heard this at first I thought it was a bit drastic, but after thinking about it for a while, it makes total sense.  To go back to a chalkboard and not much else would not much sense, and not work when we have so many new resources at our disposal. Why take a step backwards, when you don't have to? My grandpa used to often say "just grin and bare it" and that's kinda what you have to do if you don't agree with it. Your never going to get rid of the changes, so just get on with it. Before I mentioned that I was never really technology savvy, but this doesn't mean I don't appreciate it, and especially the stuff I understand.

We got our first computer when I was in grade 6, and we loved it. We would fight over who got to go on and play pinball. Now I have pinball on my phone. This seems crazy. Brad Paisley, a country singer did a song on this same topic. He sings about how when he used to go on family trips he would just look out the window, now there is a DVD player in his family mini van, and his phone has so many things he can do on there to keep himself occupied.

Multi-tasking was another topic  that was brought up in this movie. Right now as I write this I am listening to music, and thinking about several other things, but I am still doing this post. The point that I am trying to make with this is that, yes maybe we have all become addicted to multi-tasking, but it doesn't take away from what actually gets done and completed. Opposers to multi-tasking have many valid points that I do agree with, but there are still positive aspects to multi-tasking.  I cannot personally pay attention in class when I have my phone or laptop out, so I choose not to bring them out, but others use them and do fine. We have learned over and over that we are all different learners, and so maybe on some people multitasking isn't very effective, so as a user just don't use it then. And, I may not use my laptop or phone in class, but I doodle and am always thinking about several different things and that has been around forever. Who's to say doodling on your page isn't as distracting as playing solitaire?It was mentioned in the movie that we need to be more open minded. There are stats against technology, and stats for technology, who right? We all need to decide for ourselves.

"With technology there are always gains and losses-that's just the way it is". I enjoyed this statement. It was also mentioned how these changes have been happening for a lot longer than this current generation. Yes we have lost some capabilities, but we have also gained some as well that are brand new. It's all about how we see it. Half empty/half full kind of thinking.

There are so many technologies that help us as teachers, not only in our daily teaching, but also in understanding students and meeting THEIR needs. They also help us understand our students and decipher
why a student may not understand certain material and so on. Technology is turned on, and its not going anywhere, so make the best of it and you'll probably grow to enjoy it...or I hope so. This happened for me.

Things have changed, and always will with technology!
Embrace it!


(picture from goggle images)

Where am I in these stages?

What stage am I at? What is my current, main priority in my life? These questions seem pretty strightforward to answer, but there is a lot more beneath the surface of these questions. Other questions you have to answer before you can even begin to answer those questions. Questions like:

1. What do I absolutely put first in my life?
2. Who do I absolutely put first in my life?
3. Why do I put these first in my life?
4. When did this change, and when will it change again?
5. etc

I would love to be able to honestly say that I put school first, but that is not true. It ranks in my top 3, but not number 1. Things I put first in my life, and have always put first in my life are my relationships. My releationship with my immediate family, close family, and my boyfriend. I've always grown up very, very close to my family on my mother's side. So if there is something that is going wrong in my family it always takes first place. I have a cousin who has put this to a test. His addiction has put a huge strain on my, and my family's life. His addiction has kept us up at night, in hospital rooms, on late night telephone calls, and much more. So like I said, it would be great, easy answer to this question, but from what is seen above, its not that simple.
School is very important to me as well. It too takes away my weekends, ability to go on spontaneous trips, but will be so worth it at the end. I will be so glad that I stayed up all night on essays, reports, and projects, instead of going to Mexico for example.This recognition of gratefulness seems far away but I'm postive it will be there.

Understanding what stage I am in my life is a very interesting question to ponder. It is interesting as an observer of my own life and others around me, both in my peer group and others. It can be frustrating to try and decide where 'I fit in' in the various stages we have learned. We were told in class that you don't go tyo bed in one stage and wake up in another complete new one in the morning. The stages overlap, or in the case ofErikson's stages, some people may not make it to a certain stage because of happenings in their life.

In class we talked about the stage we see ourselves in right now. I see myself in stage 5 and 6. I still see myself in 5 (Identity vrs. Identity Confusion) because I am still trying new things, seeing what I like and don't like and so on.  I am in a commited relationship right now but not quite ready to be married, kindof like it is my ease into stage 6. Where I see myself in 10 years is very different than where I am, and see myself right now. One girl in our group discussion felt frustrated at these stages because she saw herself in so many of the stages, and knew people that had never been married or wanted to. She mentioned that this set of stages of human development are very limited in some ways. It is a very good basic framework for much of the population, but cannot be said for the whole, just the same as all of the other stages we have learned in class.

I enjoyed the fact that Erikson's theory was not solely based on thinking, but on the human as a whole. I find the brain and mind fascinating. Why we say things, so things and not others. Although I found his theory somewhat broad, it does still cause a deeper thinking and better understanding of what's happening, and more importantly, understanding what will be happening in my classroom as a teacher.

Ecological Theory

The ecological theory gives us another interesting look at education and various students and the possible answers to why, what, or how come. A student may be repeating a negative action in class everyday, but if you have no clue as to what is going on at home for that child, a teacher cannot begin to understand or help the child. Also some parents may seem very involved in their child's success, whereas  other parents do not. We as teachers never get to see completely what it is like at home, but it is our duty to do all we can for each and every student and to not race to hasty conclusions. In the popular movie and book 'Matilda' is an exceptionally bright student, but her teacher does not understand why she is so smart, or why she is only in grade 1, when she has the abilities for a much higher grade. 


Youtube Clip from Movie 'Matilda'

As teachers we only see the external: a student is late for example, and then it is very easy to make the assumption that he does not care, but we do not know why he is late or what happened that could make him late. These assumptions can be very dangerous for the teacher -student relationship because a teacher may assume something and say something wrong that in turn sends the student away with the feeling of being wrongly accused and negatively judged.

As teachers, like students, we have our own ecological 'map' which shows what and why we may do something. For example, my father is an immigrant and so we have quite a few traditions of Canadian and British cultures. As teachers, it is important I think to leave our judgements at the door when we walk in and like I have mentioned before from something I heard in class,  "BE THERE WHEN WE ARE THERE!"

My Ecological Theory Map

Jean Piaget and New Learning Styles



Schelma Mind Map

 Jean Piaget has played a vital role in the construction of what we know today about children and their learning; How they learn, what they learn, what they see and hear from what you say. When my parents and grandparents were in school there was little to no importance placed on different learning styles.  Today our curriculum has changed and what and why we are learning specific things is in far more depth because of the technology that is available to us. It makes sense for the technology to also take a closer look at education, but I never realized how far advanced we are in education until I took EDIT 302 last semester. The resources that are available are outstanding.

A teachers’ role has also changed over time. A teacher used to be almost the sole giver of information in schools, but now they are more of a guider to find information and to help decipher between helpful and non-helpful information. With the addition to computers, internet, and cell phones, teachers have to be even more prepared and organized. Those tools are there to help teachers but we must also really know how to use them or a PowerPoint is really just like notes on a chalk board or projector, and a smart board is really just a white board.

Jean Piaget focused on the 3 Cognitive Processes. He looked at how we organize new, old and odd information. He noticed how we choose to take in new and odd information changes our whole entire outlook on things and forces a new ‘framework’ for our thoughts and ideals. Its very interesting to look at his stages that he pointed out and the different focuses a teacher should have at each of these stages. As an elementary math teacher for example, it may be frustrating to teach addition if you did not know of these stages. You would wonder why something that seems so obvious is seemingly impossible to teach. With the simple addition of ‘props’ like coins or apples and oranges it could bring this skill to life for a child.

Looking at examples of each of these stages makes more sense to each of his stages.

1.     Sensorimotor- First stage. A child cries, meaning the child is wanting food, diaper change or sleep. Here the child is young and in a ‘ME’ stage I like to think of it as.

2.      Preoperational- Here the child is working with symbols of things rather than logic. A child learns to add or subtract using real fruit or objects because they cannot do it first without the help of objects/props.

3.      Concrete Operational- Here a child begins to use reasoning and logic. A child no longer has as much use for props and objects to learn material. They can start to do more intensified problems such as long division and working with longer words in spelling.

4.      Formal Operational- Highest level. More abstract thinking and child is beginning to have more ‘adult’ thinking. See more thank one way of thinking things and solving problems.

It was mentioned in class about concerns or issues with this theory. Each child develops at different rates and may reach one stage early and another one late or vice versa or may just be naturally faster or slower than other children.  Also, children can be going through more than one stage at a time. 

Although Piaget brought many new ideas to the face of education, children and students are like fingerprints, there are none that are completely alike in every way so we must also teach in this way that each child learns differently and achieves success at different levels.

Being a wise consumer of Information

We all grow up being bombarded with information left, right and centre. We are told ideas and blunt viewpoints from both sides of the spectrum. No matter where we turn this will always be the case, so what I need to learn is how to better be a consumer of information. We watched a film in class about the use of exercise to help the brain and how it is being used in schools. Being totally honest I believe this study 100%, I have seen results in being physically active verses not doing school.  I have seen first hand my grades start to slump because I am too fidgety in class.  But what this lesson in general has shown me is that I am too quick to believe and buy into information that has a statistic behind it.

My mom always said when we were growing up that “there are two sides to everything” so don’t believe everything you hear. She was roommates with a girl her age in university when her roommate’s parents and younger brother were killed in an airplane crash. The Edmonton Journal reported this accident incorrectly which has in turn affected her friend and my mom so I understand why she always told us to hear both sides. That is a fairly extreme example of this case, but important to remember when information comes my way.  

Also, information can sometimes actually be correct to an extent but not to extent that it may claim. In this video, the teachers in both Saskatoon and Chicago saw results, but maybe in another instance it may not have been so effective. The study was also done on a very particular group of students which may or may not include students in a regular school, or the students in a regular school may not see the same results.  Always look at information presented from more than one perspective, and where it’s coming from and possibly why it’s coming from that source.

Better late than never

September 11.2011

So it took me a little bit of time to finally re-figure out how do this blogging concept and everything.

Beginning of this class we learned about effective teaching.  We were given a list of aspects of the teaching profession:

1. Teaching involves social and ethical matters
2. Teaching involves multicultural students
3. Subject matter competence
4. Professional Skills
5. Commitment
6. Professional Growth

Within this list we were given examples that outlined and defined these aspects. One of the things said that really stood out to me was "Teaching is messy even though it seems easy on paper". That is so true. When I look around our class alone I see so many different learning styles, backgrounds, and possible home lives. There are most likely mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, big sisters, little sisters, etc that alone have so much impact on how you go about your daily life like; Should I attend my little brothers 16th birthday party and then have to stay up all night doing homework? or should I miss it and do homework that needs to be done also? Questions and dilemmas like this affect me every weekend. As all my family lives up by Edmonton, I usually choose to go home on weekends which then forces me to work extra hard all week and then have the weekend free, and be scrambling to get things done Sunday night, or do I stay home alone and end up wishing I was at home anyways.

Another way things get messy being a teacher is learning styles. Research has been so helpful in the teaching field to help understand why a certain child learns one way and another learns in a completely different way.  It seems almost impossible to grasp how to teach so many different ways...and to do it effectively.  This baffles my mind.

Another interesting thought mentioned was “We as teachers must not only be tolerant of multicultural students but excited." I grew up in a very small town, with a very 'white' school. I grew up being with many different races and cultures because of my dad's job, but many of the kids I went to school with were very racist against anything that wasn't the same as themselves. To be completely honest I never really stood up for anything unless it was out of hand and this is where the ' not only tolerant but excited' part of that thought comes into play. I like to think that I've grown up a lot since then, but I know I have a lot more of this to do. My minor is in aboriginal studies and when I finish I would like to be working in Aboriginal communities, and so a zeal for teaching everyone from every kind of upbringing is what I most want to strive for!

Subject matter competence "It’s only apparent in its absence"- this too stuck out to me. I have sat in class with a Biology teacher, trying to teach computer class. Or a math class with a English Major. It makes it that much harder for students to truly learn the subject matter when they too are learning it for themselves. In the Alberta Education system right now it is very hard to find jobs, and some are willing to take almost anything with a pay check, but if you aren't willing to put in the time so you can teach competently, then you shouldn't be there. I want to store this thought in my memory. Put the students learning, before my personal wants or desires!

Finally Commitment and Professional Growth!! "BE THERE WHEN YOUR THERE! Don't be thinking of your weekend plans, summer vacation, etc. I need to be there 100%. And professional growth- take criticism seriously. Meaning, if you receive helpful hints or constructive criticism... take it to heart and use it. It is essential for growth as a teacher and could be the make it or break it factor for your year.

About Me

Welcome to my blog...although this is not my first blog, I still feel like a rookie every time I start. Little information about me... I am in my second year at Red Deer College and still enjoying the slower pace of things in comparison to where I’m from. Ardrossan is my home town but that is quite close to the city limit of Edmonton, and I also spent my first two years in post secondary fighting traffic, honking horns, noise and of course business school until I decided enough was enough and transferred to RDC.

I grew up lining up my dolls to play school and being the teacher, and then when younger siblings came along, they became my new students, whether they liked it or not.  Right after high school I moved to England for a year to clear my head and figure out where I wanted to go and end up. When I moved back I had an idea that business school would be a great place to start, but teaching was always in the back of my mind. It’s in my roots. My great grandmother was a teacher in the Northwest Territories and would take her dogsled team to work. Although the novelty for that would probably wear off quite quickly come winter that was always my dream.  My grandma was also a teacher before she got married.  And my aunt is a teacher still today and loves her job, with the obvious bad day here or there, but if you ask her what she thinks, she wouldn’t have a negative response in regards to the career she chose.

 So after two years in business school in Edmonton, I finally switched into Education and it finally feels like things make sense and that I’m in the right field and on track!