Blog #3 Teaching Blogs

The blog I picked for this week was Science teacher by Michael Doyle (http://doyle-scienceteach.blogspot.com/).  I found this article to be very interesting because it discusses some of the issues and barriers to teaching science.  He discusses some of the disconnects that students have with certain subjects and gives tips on how he overcomes these barriers to the subject.  One of his posts’s that I found to be very interesting was the discussing the introduction a microscope to a high school class.  He pointed out that using such a complex tool as an introduction can be discouraging because it makes things more abstract and the use itself can confuse students.  He suggest starting out with a dissecting microscope that is much larger and will let the students much larger relatable things such as bugs versus organisms in pond water.  He has many ideas liked this and other of how to make the abstract science class more understandable and how to use what the students already know to help them build their knowledge of science.  

The second blog that I looked at this week was called What It’s Like on the Inside (http://blog.whatitslikeontheinside.com/).  I enjoyed this blog because it talked about some of the things that I have concerns about in the classroom, such as the students use of technology.  Some of her other recent post talked about the book The Purposeful Classroom, which after reading this post I am intrigues to read.  I really valued how in her post App-rehension, she discusses how she is taking time each week to look at new apps and resources available to her on her IPAD before she is sold on the use of it in the classroom.  I think this is a great example of the importance of doing your own investigating into tools for your classroom so that you know the strengths and weakness of it and can adjust it to be most beneficial in the classroom. 

Blog Post Week 2

The fundamental purpose of learning is to gain new knowledge about a subject.  Learning is not just something that takes place in the classroom and it is not limited to children.  Learning can happen at while a child is playing, or spending time with peers, it can happen at home with the family, it can even in most case happen alone while doing activities you enjoy.  I have learned a great amount of academic at not only in the classroom but spending time with my peers, however, most of my social skills from my own experiences in life.  I feel that some of my most important learning has taken place in my life has been through trial and error, and if I hadn’t made the mistakes and learned the lessons I would not be the same person I am today.  Learning can take place at any age, in any environment, at anytime.  Some things that we learn, we learn without even knowing we are learning.  I feel that young children learn the most when they are playing and aren’t even yet aware of the learning process; and I feel that this is where they  begin learning the basics that will help them to develop skills that they will need later in life to learn in the classroom.   I also feel that students may learn the most when they feel they are struggling and not learning at all.  Learning begins very young in life and if we are lucky won't end until the day we die, learning is continually happening all around us.  However, the amount of learning that takes place, I believe is based on the individual’s drive learn.  I personally have constant thirst for knowledge; therefore, I feel that I am always learning new things.  I am always reading about new things and asking questions about things I do not understand.  The amount a person learns can also be based on their interest level for the subject.  It is usually much easier to learn about things that one has an interest in than those they do not because they are more likely to seek out new knowledge on the subject.  The methods that people use to seek and learn new information many vary.  There are many different learning methods and techniques for individuals to seek out information.  Some people learn using technology, other by doing hands on activities, some by just learning; and others have to have a variation of different styles.  Since learning is extraordinarily variable it is essential for teachers to themselves learn to many different techniques and subject to teach their students.  

Blog Post Week 1

I found both articles for this week to be very intriguing.  The thought process for this class is very different than any other class I have taken.  I found it particularly interesting to hear about some of the reasoning about grading.  It is very different to think of grading from “the other side.”  I have always been the student striving to get the grades but have not ever really stopped to think about the reasoning behind how a teacher or professor decides the grading guidelines.  It was a little hard for me to grasp the thought process though of grades not being positive reinforcement to encourage students to learn more, and in some instances actually being negative reinforcements to learning.  Overall I feel the Grading –Kohn article opened my eyes to completely evaluate the grading process, not just to for effectiveness at evaluating the students but also how it will impact the students learning.  The second article by John Dewey was a very different article for me to read.  It was very difficult to understand the logic behind his writings.  I did not totally agree with his idea of school needs to very smoothly transition to what is being taught in the home.  In my opinion different things are learned in different settings and trying to mesh them all into one would hinder the learning of certain materials.  He also greatly values the societal learning, which I would say has its place but should not be the basis of all education.  I did however agree with how Dewey wants teachers to realize that they are social tied to the students and need to consider where their place and education fits into the student as a whole.