Chapters 10 and 11

Chapters 10 and 11


        Chapter 10 describes it best when it says, "trying to balance the needs of individual learners with those of larger, increasingly diverse classroom communities is part of what imbues the field of teaching with creativity, excitement and constant challenge." (245) Personally, I feel the word that stands out most from this quote is challenge. Imagine a classroom of 25 students all with different learning needs, then add to it the issues some have at home, and now try teaching them. To some it may sound easy, but to those who are in the teaching profession we know how difficult it really is. Nothing bothers me more than people who have no idea what really goes into teaching calling teachers "certified babysitters." 

       Adapting and adding the use of technology in the classroom can greatly help reach all children's learning needs and help them reach their potential. Technology can be great for visual learners, auditory learners, and even kinesthetic learners. With modern technology, there really is no limit on what a child is capable of doing. Technology also helps to reach out to multicultural learners and learners who do not have english as their first language. It's amazing that a teacher with the help of technology, can teach students in different languages even if the teacher is not bilingual herself. Many apps and educational websites can be used in different languages in order to make sure a child is not being restricted from learning the lesson just because of a language barrier. Children can learn english at their own pace, but not miss out on what is being taught in the classroom in other subjects. 

       Chapter 11 talks a lot about testing and assessments. Assessments are clearly made to measure the growth of a child, but nonetheless are portrayed by some students that they are inadequate. A child feels if they do not get in a the upper 90's or a perfect score that they are a failure. Although, if a child scores a 20 on a test and then takes a similar tests and gets a 70, then it is proven that a child is learning. To me, assessments do not show a child's full potential, but rather looks at them as just a test score. I think assessments need to be differentiated such as learning is in the classroom. Some students are simply not test takers even though they may have mastered the material. An assessment sometimes, does not show what a child is capable of. Technology can help differentiate tests to accommodate each child's differences. Students can take oral tests, online tests, written tests, and even be assessed in the form of a game which will make the testing less stressful and more about what a child actually knows and is learning.

Question for readers:

1. How do you feel about testing and certain forms of assessments?

Chapter 7 & 8 Reflection

Throughout Chapter 7 what stood out was how educational software, games, and apps promote problem solving and critical thinking, but teachers need to carefully evaluate each potential resource for its quality and effectiveness as a learning experience. I think something that sounds so simple, is actually quite hard. I know students today in the school I work at use something called ABCya, which does have educational games. Although, I noticed when we allow my class to use it children tend to gravitate towards the games that have the least educational value... It makes me wonder if they notice this is what they are doing or if they just find these games more fun. I definitely want to use what I learned in this chapter and explore the games on the site and recommend to the class the ones with the most educational value and see what they think of these games.

Questions:

1. Does anyone know any games that have high educational value that they would recommend ?

2. Is it okay to allow them to play games without educational value during computers in order to give them a break from their rigorous schedule?

Throughout Chapter 8 what stood out to me was the use of social networking to communicate with a teacher or student. I think children would be more willing to ask for help if they could just shoot the teacher and email of a message on a website. I also think it is more effective, because the student could ask right then and there when they are struggling. Students won't forget their questions and they won't just leave it blank and not gain anything from it. I also think this would be helpful for parents, considering they did not learn in the style of the common core and to them, common core looks like it it is in a whole different language. I think social networking with teachers and students would also make the children relate to the teacher more. They may even think he or she is cool for being able to use such technology!