Module 1 - Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Learning, Teaching, and Educational Psychology
Concept 1: Learning and Teaching Today
Summary: Teaching environments today are diverse and unique in all types of ways as described by Woolfolk. Students of all cultures, races, languages, economic standings, and abilities/disabilities are within the classroom wanting to learn (p.25). The diversity within the students taught are increasing while the diversity of who is teaching them remains the same - white women.
Students with differing ethnicities are wanting to include their practices and show their cultures within the classroom. Students of color are looking for representation and ways to feel comfortable. Students who do not/don't just speak English want to learn. Students are living in poverty and other undesirable environments that will ultimately affect their learning and how they view schooling. This also affects the teaching they receive due to their community and school funding. Students with disabilities are needing new forms of strategies and ways of learning to accommodate their differing learning styles. Overall, there is so much to be done within the classroom and so many improvements needing to be made to make the environment inclusive.
Reflection: I am a Polish, white women who only speaks English. My parents are middle class and I have never had a disability. It's safe to say that I will not be able to help most students feel represented and I will not be able to relate to students of diverse backgrounds. Something I know I will do is make sure my students are able to be heard and are able to feel accommodated. I want to have knowledge on my student's backgrounds, holidays they celebrate, ethnicities and I want them to feel safe enough to share how unique and amazing their cultures are. One thing I know I want to implement in the future is a Culture Fair where students are able to present their identities and family to the school using pictures, food, clothes, etc. I want my students to know that they are heard and there is so much great about them. I am also majoring in Special Education and also learning methods for ELLs (English Language Learners). I want to educate myself on how to best assist my future students and make sure they feel welcome in my classroom; I want them to know it's also THEIR classroom.
Concept 2: What is Good Teaching?
Summary: According to Woolfolk, "good teachers are committed to their students. They must deal with a wide range of student abilities and challenges: different languages, different home situations, and different abilities and disabilities" (p.25). Good teachers show up for their students regardless of the circumstances. Good teachers meet their students where they are work with it. They seek growth and not change. Good teachers also use a variety of methods, strategies, models to promote effective teaching for each and every one of their students.
Reflection: Every student is different; they have different ways of learning, different abilities, different home life, and different personalities. Something I believe is so valuable is making sure each and every one of my students is able to be their unique self while still learning. Each student is going to be on a different level, but as long as they are growing in their learning, that is what I consider to be good teaching. I know there is no perfect teacher or teaching situation but learning alongside my students is something that will make the classroom better for both me and my students. Something I highly believe in is that I will learn just my students. Just because I am a teacher, does NOT mean I am omniscient and controlling. I think the healthiest environment that I want to promote is being a classroom that learns and grows together in our similarities and differences.
Concept 3: The Role of Educational Psychology
Summary: Woolfolk talks highly of what exactly educational psychology is and how it is vital to learn. The book talks about research methods and promoting solid research to improve classroom factors. These research methods, principles, theories, and goals are ultimately to help support student learning and the classroom's environment. Overall, if we truly care about our students, then we will put in the work to help their learning and experience.
Reflection: I, personally, have such a hard time researching and doing statistics. I struggled with science, social studies, and math in my grade/high schools. I don't want to use this as an excuse to not try to improve my classroom. I want to help improve my teaching and my student's learning. Overall, I must be working to see what works and what does not and be open to criticism to grow myself. I want students to provide me feedback, so we are learning together. I want to get to know my students on a personal level to improve my ways of teaching and methods to use. Research is going to be needed, whether I enjoy it or not.
Hey Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job really showing the idea that it is not just your classroom, but your student's as well. It is important that our students feel represented, but it can be hard to do that if as teachers we are only limited to what we know from our own personal cultures, so we need to make sure that we really research other cultures in order to be more educated on our students. I think that it is also important that we are able to identify our differences because we are not going to be the same as all of our students. Having teachers that truly want their students to learn and grow as people is so important because some of them need that extra assistance from another adult that is not their parents. It sounds like you really just want your students to be successful in everything that you guys do together, and in general, and I think that is great!