What?
My personal theory of how students learn is that there isn't one set way that students learn. Each person is completely individual, and just as we all act and think differently, we all learn differently. I also think that each learning theory is appropriate for different people at different times. Sometimes memorizing is the best way to teach, but sometimes allowing students to explore is the best way to teach. Learning depends on the material being taught and the individual's preference.
So What?
This above mentioned belief will impact my classroom by driving me to incorporate all the learning theories and styles into my lessons. Sometimes I'll want to use modeling and scaffolding to help my students learn the material. Sometimes I'll want to use discovery learning, and push my students to explore the material on their own. I think these decisions will be made depending on my classroom environment and the subject matter.
Now What?
Now I just need to figure out how to become very aware of how each of my students learn, which will take a lot of effort on my part. I need to discover more ways to differentiate for each individual student.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Chapter 4 Learning Log
What?
Chapter four is about group differences. A group difference is a consistently observed difference among diverse groups of students. We discussed in class ways to be sensitive to our students' cultures. We discussed that we should talk to our students and let them know they can address us if we ever happen to make an offensive comment in the classroom. It's important to be aware of different cultural norms, so we can understand our students' behaviors.
So What?
This topic was important to be addressed in class because when we do have our own classrooms our students' cultural backgrounds will have an impact on our classroom environment. We need to be aware that different cultural norms may affect a student's behavior, and we need to know how to properly address the behavior if it is causing a problem in the classroom.
Now What?
Being aware of the fact that my student's background, culture, or religious beliefs may affect how he/she behaves in class will allow me to be more understanding and go about proper ways to address any problems. As we discussed in class, some cultures don't find tardiness to be a problem. This would be a big problem and disturbance to me, however. Being aware of a cultural difference can help me to properly address the student or the student's parents when needs be.
Chapter four is about group differences. A group difference is a consistently observed difference among diverse groups of students. We discussed in class ways to be sensitive to our students' cultures. We discussed that we should talk to our students and let them know they can address us if we ever happen to make an offensive comment in the classroom. It's important to be aware of different cultural norms, so we can understand our students' behaviors.
So What?
This topic was important to be addressed in class because when we do have our own classrooms our students' cultural backgrounds will have an impact on our classroom environment. We need to be aware that different cultural norms may affect a student's behavior, and we need to know how to properly address the behavior if it is causing a problem in the classroom.
Now What?
Being aware of the fact that my student's background, culture, or religious beliefs may affect how he/she behaves in class will allow me to be more understanding and go about proper ways to address any problems. As we discussed in class, some cultures don't find tardiness to be a problem. This would be a big problem and disturbance to me, however. Being aware of a cultural difference can help me to properly address the student or the student's parents when needs be.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Chapter 5 Learning Log
What?
In class we reviewed key information from Exceptional Students, such as what IDEA and IEP mean (Individuals with Disabilities Act and Individualized Education Plan). We then moved on to cover information about individual differences. We covered five theories of how people learn individually. Spearman's g states there are 2 factors on intelligence: underlying tasks and specific tasks. Cartell's fluid and crystallized states that fluid is the ability to think abstractly and is set beliefs or knowledge. Sternberg's Triarchic theory states that there are 3 factors of intelligence: environment, cognitive processes, and prior knowledge. Distributed Intelligence states that that thinking is enhanced by physical objects. Gardner's Multiple intelligences states that there are 8 specific ways people learn.
So What?
Having an understanding of different ways students learn and even struggles some students will have with learn will help me be a better teacher because I will be aware of how to help them.Knowing different learning preferences will better help me to differentiate for my students. This topic was important to be discussed for the same reasons. Future teachers need to be aware of differentiation and why they need to implement it into their lessons. Differentiating one's lessons helps reach multiple learning types.
Now What?
Having a knowledge of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences will really help me in my classroom. I'll attempt to recognize what intelligence my students are inclined to and focus my lessons towards those learning styles. This will really help my students to grasp the material and probably enjoy doing it because they are able to learn how they prefer. I still feel like I need to work on my understanding of the other theories of intelligence because they were merely defined rather than explained how to implement.
In class we reviewed key information from Exceptional Students, such as what IDEA and IEP mean (Individuals with Disabilities Act and Individualized Education Plan). We then moved on to cover information about individual differences. We covered five theories of how people learn individually. Spearman's g states there are 2 factors on intelligence: underlying tasks and specific tasks. Cartell's fluid and crystallized states that fluid is the ability to think abstractly and is set beliefs or knowledge. Sternberg's Triarchic theory states that there are 3 factors of intelligence: environment, cognitive processes, and prior knowledge. Distributed Intelligence states that that thinking is enhanced by physical objects. Gardner's Multiple intelligences states that there are 8 specific ways people learn.
So What?
Having an understanding of different ways students learn and even struggles some students will have with learn will help me be a better teacher because I will be aware of how to help them.Knowing different learning preferences will better help me to differentiate for my students. This topic was important to be discussed for the same reasons. Future teachers need to be aware of differentiation and why they need to implement it into their lessons. Differentiating one's lessons helps reach multiple learning types.
Now What?
Having a knowledge of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences will really help me in my classroom. I'll attempt to recognize what intelligence my students are inclined to and focus my lessons towards those learning styles. This will really help my students to grasp the material and probably enjoy doing it because they are able to learn how they prefer. I still feel like I need to work on my understanding of the other theories of intelligence because they were merely defined rather than explained how to implement.
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