After taking the learning rating quiz I came out being tied between cognitivism and humanism. After reading up on my blogs and also through the book a little more I came to see that the quiz was pretty accurate. I feel more like I could take a little from all learning theories to create my own theory. For my own learning theory I believe that children learn through hands on activities that they can see how it applies to their lives. Children need encouragement to learn. They need their teachers to acknowledge their work. When children learn they need to not be rushed to hurry and finish their work so that we can all move on to the next thing of the day. Let children see the beauty in learning and how fun it can be. When I say that children need to see what they are learning be applied to real life, I mean that when we teach them a concept apply it to something they can relate to. Let them participate in an activity that reinforces the concept. By participating in an activity they can physically apply it to a concrete thing and there for be more able to rememeber it in the future.
My own personal learning theory will impact my classroom by adding participation in to the classroom so that studetns can be actively involved in their learning. I hope that my classroom will be full of engaging concepts so that the children do not feel that school is a waste of time and from then on have an attitude of bordom towards learning. Learning will be fun and will bring in all domains of learning for all types of learners. I want my studetns to see the results from what they are learnign in some way. I know that if they see the results they will be more willing to learn new things.
Now that I have been able to reflect on my learnign theory and what it is I feel that there is always more to be adding and learning. I hope that I will be a constant learner, so that I might be able to have a better understanding of how my studetns learn I hope that I can bring the best postive learning experience to them. There is still plenty in educational psychology that I need to learn I want to learn in more detail about how students recall and remember what is being taught to them and I feelt that by understanding these things I will deliever information in new and exciting ways to my students.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Chapter 10
Social Cognitive Theory: This chapters main focus was on how people learn from observing others. By observing they see tasks that they are or are not capable of doing. social cognitive theory is in sense they way they you preseve yourself and your motivation to meet a goal. Goals need to be set that are attainable but not so that they do not make students grow. By reaching these goals students will see them selves in a postive way and will want to continue to do more either for them selves or for others approvoal. Students can self monitor so that they can step back and see where their strengths andweaknesses lie.
Understanding social cognitivisum we can help our students to see things in a more reachael way. students need reinforcemet and often times it is just they teachers approval that they need/want. We can help in developing the way our students preseve things. Let them reach goals and have a sense of self efficacy.
In my classroom I hope to model things in a good way so that my students will feel that they can do anything. I will apply motivation as well as reinforcement by them selves as well as from me. Students will do better if they have a sense of self in their road through their education.
Understanding social cognitivisum we can help our students to see things in a more reachael way. students need reinforcemet and often times it is just they teachers approval that they need/want. We can help in developing the way our students preseve things. Let them reach goals and have a sense of self efficacy.
In my classroom I hope to model things in a good way so that my students will feel that they can do anything. I will apply motivation as well as reinforcement by them selves as well as from me. Students will do better if they have a sense of self in their road through their education.
Chapter 7
Knowledge construction: Students are always adding to their understanding of their physical and social worlds. They must create there own views on physical and social knowledge. Their understandings will not only impact them educationally knowledge but their knowledge of themselves, their interpersonal relationships and their views about morality.
Having an understanding of knowledge construction will lead to great higher levels of thinking. It will bring to the classroom essetial questions for the students so that they can form their own opinions so that they can construct their knowledge in a way that willl help them in their lives. Teachers often times present new material to studetnts in a class with the expectations that the information will replace all the wrong ideas that they might have about a concept. This is wrong by show of reserach, we as teachers need to help them in transitioning new information in to a positive out look to what is being taught to them now.
We as teachers need to help our students gain an understanding of the world around them so that they can have productive lives.
Having an understanding of knowledge construction will lead to great higher levels of thinking. It will bring to the classroom essetial questions for the students so that they can form their own opinions so that they can construct their knowledge in a way that willl help them in their lives. Teachers often times present new material to studetnts in a class with the expectations that the information will replace all the wrong ideas that they might have about a concept. This is wrong by show of reserach, we as teachers need to help them in transitioning new information in to a positive out look to what is being taught to them now.
We as teachers need to help our students gain an understanding of the world around them so that they can have productive lives.
Chapter 3
Discussed in this chapter is development of self, social skills, and morality. Each age group has identified stages to there develpoment of self, social skills, and morality. Some of the main points covered in this chapter are standards of acceptable behavior, along with reasons why these standards must be up held are essential for optimal development. Interaction with others, especially peers, provides the impetus for many personal, social, and moral advancements. Development is best fostered within the context of a warm supportive environment. Students' personal, social, and moral understandings are self-constructed.
Having an understanding to how children develop in terms of self, social, and morally we can better teach them at the stage they are at. Chidlren need to advance in cognitive development in the particular order. It is critical that they meet stage in order to function in a they other stages.
As a teacher I will have the students interact with one another so that they are building upon there development towards self, social, and moral skills. We must give students the opportunities to have them build an understanding of their own personal, social, and moral understanding. These things are crucial in the development of our students.
Having an understanding to how children develop in terms of self, social, and morally we can better teach them at the stage they are at. Chidlren need to advance in cognitive development in the particular order. It is critical that they meet stage in order to function in a they other stages.
As a teacher I will have the students interact with one another so that they are building upon there development towards self, social, and moral skills. We must give students the opportunities to have them build an understanding of their own personal, social, and moral understanding. These things are crucial in the development of our students.
Chapter 2
This chapter is on cognitive and linguistic development. In the chapter it covers piagets's theory of cognitive develop and how it takes place in a sequential stages. It also covers vygotsky's look at social factors and fostering cognitive development. Through out the chapter even though it is talking about two different theories there are alot of similarities. Such as; Children tend to think in qualitatively different ways at different ages. Children actively construct their knowledge, development builds upon prior acquisitions, Challenging situations and tasks promote development, and social interaction is critical for development.
By learning these theories we can see that children learn all different ways. We as teachers need to mold to our students needs so that they can have a rewarding learning experience. If we understand these theories we will be able to make our lessons appropriate for the needs of our students and their level of cognitive development.
As a teacher I will refer to these theories to see where my students are at as far as cognitive development is concerned. I will apply instructional strategies that will help my students to develop in their stage of cognitive development.
By learning these theories we can see that children learn all different ways. We as teachers need to mold to our students needs so that they can have a rewarding learning experience. If we understand these theories we will be able to make our lessons appropriate for the needs of our students and their level of cognitive development.
As a teacher I will refer to these theories to see where my students are at as far as cognitive development is concerned. I will apply instructional strategies that will help my students to develop in their stage of cognitive development.
Chapter 1
This chapter was on educaitonal psychology and teacher decision making. As teachers we can ake decisions by using common sense, but sometimes that leads to unwanted outcomes. We need to make decisions based on our knowledge of theories and other methods. We need to base our decisions off of what the needs of the students are in our classroom. Good teachers base their decision making from reflective thinking, classroom strategies, and new information. We as teachers can gain new informations through research, collaboration with other teachers, and with parents.
By having these understandings we can be better teachers, by meeting the needs of our students. Our main focus as teachers is to our students, we need to make critical decisions based on ther needs not so much our needs. By being motivated we can have a safe and well rounded classroom with good decision making.
As a teacher I will try to implement these theories and methods to make good decisions for my classroom. I will have the students be involved in making decisions for the classroom so that they can develop those critical thinking skills that are needed in life.
By having these understandings we can be better teachers, by meeting the needs of our students. Our main focus as teachers is to our students, we need to make critical decisions based on ther needs not so much our needs. By being motivated we can have a safe and well rounded classroom with good decision making.
As a teacher I will try to implement these theories and methods to make good decisions for my classroom. I will have the students be involved in making decisions for the classroom so that they can develop those critical thinking skills that are needed in life.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Extra credit- Investigations Math
In an article that I read about investigations math this is how they explained the benefits for the students.
"Approaching the mathematics content through investigations helps students develop flexibility and confidence in approaching problems, fluency in using mathematical skills and tools to solve problems, and proficiency in evaluating their solutions. Computational fluency of basic number facts develops through understanding of number relationships and practice in games and activities. Students also use many ways to communicate about their mathematical thinking and their multiple strategies to solve problems while their enjoyment and application of mathematics grows."
A few facts that I found about investigation math.
1) Investigations Math removes teaching the times tables to children and all memorization of math facts.
2) There is no valid math study ever performed showing the effectiveness of Investigations Math.
3) California tried a program nearly identical to Investigations Math in the 90's and forced enrollment in college freshmen remedial math classes more than doubled over a seven-year period.
4) "Children tend not to learn what they are not taught." Dr. Ralph Raimi (article comparing TERC to Singapore Math) TERC doesn't teach.
5) Study performed where students graduating from a Core-Plus math program in Michigan (same teaching style as Investigations and Connected Math programs in Alpine School District) doubled the remedial math rate at MSU
6) Hundreds of leading university math professors and Nobel Laureates condemn Investigations Math
7) TERC recommends a text for teachers called "Beyond Arithmetic". In this book it says traditional elementary math must be discarded.
The argument that was made by alpins school district that the test scores of studetns would go down. Investigations math was being used in California who used to be the topic in math scores and who are now in teh second to the last for math scores. They were all claiming that investigations math was sentence to failure. It doesn't teach the children the basic math principles need in real life, A petition was started and ended up with a 1,000 names which helped the program to be eliminated from the school district.
"Approaching the mathematics content through investigations helps students develop flexibility and confidence in approaching problems, fluency in using mathematical skills and tools to solve problems, and proficiency in evaluating their solutions. Computational fluency of basic number facts develops through understanding of number relationships and practice in games and activities. Students also use many ways to communicate about their mathematical thinking and their multiple strategies to solve problems while their enjoyment and application of mathematics grows."
A few facts that I found about investigation math.
1) Investigations Math removes teaching the times tables to children and all memorization of math facts.
2) There is no valid math study ever performed showing the effectiveness of Investigations Math.
3) California tried a program nearly identical to Investigations Math in the 90's and forced enrollment in college freshmen remedial math classes more than doubled over a seven-year period.
4) "Children tend not to learn what they are not taught." Dr. Ralph Raimi (article comparing TERC to Singapore Math) TERC doesn't teach.
5) Study performed where students graduating from a Core-Plus math program in Michigan (same teaching style as Investigations and Connected Math programs in Alpine School District) doubled the remedial math rate at MSU
6) Hundreds of leading university math professors and Nobel Laureates condemn Investigations Math
7) TERC recommends a text for teachers called "Beyond Arithmetic". In this book it says traditional elementary math must be discarded.
The argument that was made by alpins school district that the test scores of studetns would go down. Investigations math was being used in California who used to be the topic in math scores and who are now in teh second to the last for math scores. They were all claiming that investigations math was sentence to failure. It doesn't teach the children the basic math principles need in real life, A petition was started and ended up with a 1,000 names which helped the program to be eliminated from the school district.
Chapter 4
Group Differences: We all tend to use our own culture views when interacting with others. We often times are bias to thinking that our own culture is the best way of doing something. As teachers we need to work on overcoming that bias to our cultures. We need to have an understanding of group differences to understand why certain students behave the way that they do. From having this understanding we can adapt our teaching to those cultural needs of our students. We as teachers can create an environment in which we can learn from each other. We need to create a safe environment in which all students feel comfortable to share their ideas and feelings. We must always remember that individuals of a group are often times different from one another and not all share the same beliefs and values.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Chapter 9
It was really good to have lecture and the class discusion this last week on chapter 9. While reading through the chapter it was hard to differientiate the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment. Through the discussion I am now able to differientiate between the two. I liked Linda's example of the hot air balloon, it helped me to see how with one or the other the balloon still floats. I like the visual picture of thinking of it in that way. There is still some vocabulary in the chapter that I need to go over and make sure I am using it in the right way. Now looking back at my field experience I can connect these concepts to what was happening in the classroom. I think that all teachers need to review what negative reinforcement is as well as punishment. I think that we have been taught to use the words in the wrong context in the past and now its hard to see how it really works. It amazing hwo ixed up it can get in the classroom. I can see how the teachers have it though. When you are put on the spot to come up with a punishment or a negative reinforcemnet it is sometimes har to think logically. It was really good to make the terms clear to me.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Week of Thanksgiving break
It is tough getting back into the flow of school just to go on thanksgiving break. This week I am hoping to catch up on my homework so I can not stress and do everything last minute. I am working on my journal for this class mainly. It has been great for me to put what we have learned in class into practice. It has also been difficult to put into words what I saw in the classroom and relate it to ed. psych. with the learning journal. I am trying my best to have it all make sense. The end of the semester is upon us and soon it will be time for the final. I hope to do better on the final than I did my last test. It can be so frusturating that in class I understand it and in my reading I understand it but when it comes to a test a freeze. Hopefully for the final i will do okay! :) Over all this semester has been good for me and the field work took me out of my bubble. Field was a good to see how a teachers day goes and what is required of me as teacher. It was an eye opening experience.
Week 3 of Field Work
WOW! I did it. I made it through the 3 weeks of 6th grade. I learned so much while I was at Salem elementary school in the 6th grade. I am so excited to keep going and to one day have my own classroom. Teachers are busy people I can't believe how much they have to get done in one day. Organization is key to alot of what takes place in a classroom. This experience was a huge eye opener to what I need to do as a teacher as well as how what I am learning at UVU applies in the classroom. The cooperating teacher was great! He gave great feedback to my lesson plans and gave me great resources to use as a teacher. He was great to work with and helped me to get out of my bubble and try new things that I might not had normally done. The students in the class were great kids they were patient with me and made it a really good time. I learned a lot from them as well . To see how 6th graders are again was good for me. It put me down to there level to plan lessons on what was interesting to them so they can learn and grow. I had a great partner she was great to work with and kept on top of things. When I messed up or lost what I was doing next she picked up the slack and it all worked out. I am glad that I had the opportunity to be in the classroom now rather than be thrown into a classroom for my student teaching. I hope that when i get back to classes at UVU I will be able to relate it back to some eperience I had in the classroom with the students I worked with.
Week 2 of Field Experience
WOW! This week was great we taught for our first time on Monday and on Tuesday. The lessons went great the students really enjoyed it. We taught geography for our lessons. Our advisor was there and gave us great feed back on how we could improve as well as what she saw that was going well. We showed up on Tuesday and Wednesday and there was a substitute teacher that we weren't expecting. It was actually really good for us, the sub handed the class over to us. We taught math and corrected homework and taught our lesson. The students were so good for us the students are really good kids. Like I said last week in my blog it is great to see the things we are learning in classes at UVU apply to the real classroom. In one of our lessons we talked about walls around the world and how we have walls in our own lives. I took pictures with my ditgital camera and put them on a power point to show to the students walls around Utah County. I posed the questions of why is it important that we have these walls and what purpose will it serve for us. The studetns loved to see the waslls and how they have walls around here so close. It really made it concrete for the students. The students then made a brick and we built a wall to show how we live in Utah and what our civilization is like. I am really enjoying my field experience. The teacher we are working with shares so many great ideas and resources for us and has taught so much to us. I am so glad that I am having this experience.
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