Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teachers. Show all posts

Saturday, October 4, 2014

My Philosophy of Education

People are naturally inquisitive.  Learning is an inherent tendency that all people possess in order to answer their inquiries. This is done through basic acquisition of knowledge and the more complicated process of relating new knowledge to what is already known in order to create meaning and construct a new understanding of objects, events, and ideas in their environments.

My job as a teacher is to impart new knowledge and then facilitate an encouraging and nourishing environment in which students’ learning will flourish. This will be done by providing students with methods that promote analyzing, interpreting, and retaining new information and giving students real-world examples and applications that they can relate to.

This process will help focus learning around the individual and promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. The ability to apply knowledge to everyday life is a critical skill needed to function fully in today’s world. Reason and intellect will be obtained naturally if these goals are carried out, leading to students who are well-prepared for life outside of school and the responsibilities and decision making that accompany it.

To implement these goals, students will be given problems to solve or think about that occur in their lives. A nurturing atmosphere that encourages questions, discussion, and exchange of ideas will be encouraged and maintained. Projects that incorporate the practical use of class content will be outlined in the curriculum and will include interdisciplinary subject matter. All teaching will be done based on the students’ level of cognitive development to ensure the best retainment and understanding.

I will know that my students have successfully acquired and retained the content when they can demonstrate its use and/or processes through formal or project-based assessment. As I continue to grow as a teacher, I hope to find more and more realistic and illustrative ways to connect content with my students to best prepare them for their lives after school.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Cultural Diversity

1.1 Explain how cultural diversity influences learning.
  • Different cultures have different attitudes and values about learning - some are beneficial to learning and others are not. 
    • Language can be a huge barrier. Many students are hesitant to drop their use of non-standard English or to primarily use English at all out of fear of alienation from their peers and parents.
    • Members of some minorities view succeeding in school as rejecting their native culture. Students who choose to succeed academically may risk losing the friendship of peers. Students who hold to this view may form "resistance cultures" where learning is not supported or is even opposed.
    • Some cultures, such as the Vietnamese and other Asian cultures, strongly emphasize hard work, perseverance, and pride in their homes which can be seen in their academic studies.
    • Indian cultures also have a high work ethic and determination.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Reform in Teacher Education

4.1 How is the current reform movement in education changing the teaching profession?
  • Stringent standards have been implemented as specified by each state that state what students should know and be able to do. Standardized tests determine grade promotion and graduation. Parent's are offered choices between public and alternative charter schools.