Final learning log

What? I think that children learn best a number of ways so this is kind of hard. I think probably the best way would be by discovery learning and authentic activities. I have always learned best by examples, visuals, and doing hands on activities. I think that, that is a good way to learn and also if the students were able to have the hands on experience they will be able to retain the information and be able to remember it better.

So What? Therefore, I think i would focus on the Constructivism theory the most. I really like using discovery learning where they derive their own knowledge about a topic through firsthand interaction. I also like community of learners where the teacher and student work together to retain information. I really like having the students working in groups to learn more and be able to succeed. I also like authentic activity and how they can learn more information about what they might encounter in the real world, and be able to apply it to the real world.

Now What? I am really excited to be able to apply these theories and applications the next time we do field experience and in the future when I teach. I would like to learn a little of every thing in more depth and especially focus on how to apply it in the classroom and what are the best ways to teach the material. I am always feeling like I need to improve in a lot of areas. I think during the field experience the thing I noticed the most was focusing on classroom management. To focus on the positive and negative reinforcement and be able to learn how to manage the class so that they all could have a positive experience.

12/8/08

What? We learned about social cognitivism. We learned more about the power of expectations. We had an activity where we broke up social cognitivism into modeling, vicarious reinforcement, self regulation, and self efficacy, and each group did a PowerPoint presentation on it.
So What? I think the individual groups learn a lot about what they are teaching. I also think doing this activity helped us learn more about these individual areas, than if we were to just read the book.
Now What? I really liked learning about these different areas and know that it will help in the future. It will help us understand the kids and be able to teach them in different ways and be able to have classroom management in many different ways.

12/1/08 Learning log

What? We learned about the definition of learning in Behaviorism. We learned about classical conditioning and operant conditioning and how to determine what situations are what. In classical conditioning we learned the unconditioned stimulus and response, and the conditioned stimulus. We also learned about reinforcing the group, and good behaviors. We learned how to eliminate bad behaviors and effective forms of punishment.
So What? Now we know what they are and how to apply it in the classroom. We can define the problem or situation and find a resolution for it.
Now What? I really liked the discussion on classroom management, the practical reinforcers, reinforcing the group, and eliminating behaviors. I found it really helpful and thought of ways that I could use in the classroom.

11/24/08

What? We learned today about authentic activities and constructivism. We picked a topic that was affecting the world today and came up with a basic lesson plan for it. We also learned about the 5 E's, and Bruner's 4 stages.
So What? I found it very interesting to learn more about authentic activities, discovery learning, and community of learners, and the positives and negatives of each. How and why you should apply it into the classroom.
Now What? I know what to use, when to use and how to apply it into the classroom. How it can help and effect each student and each class. I liked coming up with a quick lesson plan for an authentic activity. Also, I found Bruner's 4 stages very interesting. I really liked the 5 E's. Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. I think those all work really well with lesson plans and if used correctly you can have a successful lesson.

Extra Credit - John Ratey

What? John Ratey states that exercise stimulates the brain and helps you do better in school, and life overall. Exercising makes you feel better about yourself. He states that if you exercise before you take a test or go to classes you will do better. I also found it interesting that when you are pregnant and you exercise your baby will develop better and do better in the future.
So What? I do agree and think that exercise makes you feel better and be able to stay more focused in your activities and learning. It keeps your brain alert.
Now What? It makes me want to exercise more. With busy schedules, sometimes I find it hard to exercise, to even go on a walk. I need to set aside time to do something, even if it is a quick walk around the block. I know it will help me in many ways.

Chapter 3

What? We learned about moral and social development. The thing that I found most interesting about chapter 3 was Kohlberg's three levels and six stages of moral reasoning and Erickson's stages of development.
So What? I liked learning about Erickson's stages of development. I thought they were interesting. I liked how you had us present it to the class, and then I liked how you helped us think of words to help us study and know it for the test. I am a visual learner, so things like that help.
Now what? Now that I have learned about these levels of development, I hope that I am able to determine what level my students will be at so I can help them to their best of their needs.

Fertile Minds - Extra Credit

I thought the article fertile minds was very interesting. I didn't know that the brain starts developing at 12 weeks and found it very interesting. I also thought the statistic that kids who don't play and aren't touched develop brains 20 to 30% smaller than normal for their age. I really liked the quote "There is a time scale to brain development, and the most important year is the first," notes Frank Newman, president of the Education Commission of the States. They also talked about working moms and sending children to day care. I have worked at a day care for a number of years in the past and saw some of the affects on children. As we are planning on having children, it has brought up should I work or stay home. That is a tough decision, and not too many people have that option at this time in life. I liked how they named a gene after Sonic the hedgehog. I thought this statement was mind boggling: "By the age of two, a child's brain contains twice as many synapses and consumes twice as much energy as the brain of a normal adult". I liked the study on Brandi Binder, I thought that was amazing. It is amazing how the brain functions, and how it functions with the body. I also liked this statement: "Indeed, parents are the brain's first and most important teachers. Among other things, they appear to help babies learn by adopting the rhythmic, high-pitched speaking style known as Parentese". It reminded me of what you were saying in class for example when we change a child's diaper to talk to them and tell them exactly everything we are doing. I also liked this statement: "Experience is the chief architect of the brain" says Perry. I found it interesting that if a mother is depressed it has a serious effect on the child and its brain. I found it interesting when the brain can take in the most, such as learning a language is best from birth to 6 years. I think it would be great to learn another language in elementary school. What a great opportunity for children to learn a second language in their school if they can't from their parents. I thought this article was very interesting. Again, I think that the brain and how it functions and how it functions with the body is amazing. This article gave me a lot to think about. When I become a parent, I hope that I can teach my kids a lot and give them the best opportunities possible.

Piagetian Tasks

I did Piagetian tasks with my two nephews. One was 9 years old and one was 7 years old. It was interesting to see the responses between the two. The first task I did was task 2 with the pennies. I asked the 9 year old the questions, and he answered with no problem. I then asked the 7 year old and he had said that there was the same amount at first, but when I moved them he said the row that I had moved had more pennies. So the 7 year old is in Preoperational thought and lack of conservation. The 9 year old was in concrete operational thought in conservation.

The second task I did was Task 4 with the beads. Again the 9 year old had no problem answering. He is in concrete operational though and class inclusion. The 7 year old went back and forth with the first question: are there more yellow than blue beads. He had to really think about it, then when I asked him the second part of the question again he went back and forth but he said more beads. He is in Preoperational thought and lack of class inclusion.

The last task I did was task 6 with the water. The 9 year old again had no problem and he is in concrete operational thought. The 7 year old said that it had the same amount of water at first but when I transferred it to a different cup he said that the water that I had transferred into the jar was more water. He was justifying his answer also. He said that because it was a wider glass that it had more water.

Overall, I thought it was interesting how they answered and to see them think about the answers and then how they justified their answers.

10-6-08

What? Today we learned about Cognitive Development. We learned about how the brain functions, and different parts of the brain. Such as the neuron, synapses, etc. We also learned about Piaget and Vygotsky, and their perspectives and theories.

So What? After learning about the different stages that Piaget has based learning on, I can apply them into the classroom, and determine where they might be placed. Also, learning about Vygotsky Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), I was able to determine where students were based on his theory of ZPD.

Now What? Now that I know each of these different theories and how the brain functions, I can apply that into the classroom, and help my students. Also, have different grouping strategies to help them out.

9-22-08

What? What is intelligence and the different kinds of intelligence? There are many different kinds of intelligences, learning disabilities, special needs, etc. We discussed and debated classification in the classroom, and we watched a video on turret's.

So What? We need to be aware of them so that we can help our students in each class, and make sure that they can succeed. It gave a different perception on classification in the classroom.

Now what? Now that I am aware of all the different kinds of intelligences, learning disabilities, special needs, etc., I need to study them and become more aware of each, so that I can be confident in each area and help the students to the best of my ability. Also, I think that classification in the classroom can help in certain ways. There are many ways to do it, were it be just the teacher and staff knowing, teacher, staff, and students, knowing, and etc. I agree to talk with the parents and discuss options, and see what they are comfortable with and what the student is comfortable with.

IQ, Multiple intelligences,race and gender tests

I.Q. Test

• Summary of results: That was interesting taking the IQ test. I was actually nervous. They said that I am able to think critically and communicate effectively and you also have the ability to handle academic challenges. If you think of intelligence as the ability to adapt easily to new situations then you are heading in the right direction.
• Opinion of results: My opinion of the results are fine. I probably didn't do it at the best of settings. I did it at work during a break and was feeling rushed. I probably could have done better, but it was an experience.
• Opinion of test: I thought the test was good. The questions I thought were good. Some of them were fun to figure out, others I didn't have any clue.
• Reflection: I think I would use this test in the classroom. I think it would be fun to see where the students were placed on the IQ test. I think the students would have fun also knowing their IQ.

Multiple Intelligence Test

• Summary of Results: My Interpersonal (people smart) is above 20, my logical (number start) is around 13, my linguistic (word smart) is 16, my kinaesthetic (body smart) is 18, my naturalistic (nature smart) is 16, my visual/spatial (picture smart) is 15, my musical (music smart) is 14, and my intrapersonal (myself smart) is 9.
• Opinion of results: I am not sure my opinion on the results. I think it can vary daily even depending on what mood you are in. I think it followed it closely on some of them.
• Opinion of test: I think the test was good. We did one recently in another class, and had results. I think it is nice, easy, and quick being online.
• Reflection: I think I would use this test on my students. It would be nice to see what kind of personalities they have. I would like it to have more information on each category. What the rankings are and mean exactly. I think it could help give us a better idea of getting to know our students.

Extra Credit - Race/Gender Test

• I thought the tests were very interesting. On the race test, I don't know if I fully agreed with my results and was questioning how they came up with the answers, with me just clicking back and forth on pictures or words. The results on the gender test was pretty close. I think in our society you mostly see the men being the financial providers and the women being the "moms". I think old tradition has set our minds to think that way, but I am seeing people who are now changing that. Overall, I think that the tests were different. I mostly wasn't sure how they were getting their results from clicking on pictures and words. I would like to read more on how they determine the results and the statistics behind it.

Chapter 4

What? I learned about gender equity. The different roles between men and women. These differences include physical activity and motor skills. Cognitive and academic, motivation, sense of self, and interpersonal behaviors and relationships.

So what? It was interesting to know why there are differences, and some of the cause and effect. It was good to learn more about some of those differences and also, at the age some of those differences come.

Now what? Now you can be aware of the differences and why they are caused. Hopefully you could help and ease tension in the classroom when there are fights or teasing that happen because of gender differences.

Chapter 1

What? We learned about drawing conclusions from research. Such as descriptive, correlational, experimental, and action studies.

So What? We learned a little bit about all of them so that we know what to use in our classroom.

Now What? Now we know the basic definition, conclusions, what they look like, and the pros and the cons. Now we can hopefully choose the studies that work best for the classroom and that can help the students the most, and use it in the classroom.

Motivation

1. Why are you here? I have always wanted to be an elementary teacher. It has taken me a long time to get here, because of work and other events. I have been influenced by great examples and elementary teachers in my family.

2. What motivates you? My family motivates me. I have great support. I find elementary teaching very rewarding. I think it is the most rewarding job out there. It is great to know that you can influence and help so many students, if you are a good teacher, and again, I have seen great examples.

3. Why do you succeed? Why would you not want to succeed? It is amazing to succeed. It is a great feeling to know that you have worked very hard and been able to accomplish your goals and dreams.

4. Why do you fail? Laziness, procrastination, etc. The only thing that can make you fail is if you don't try your hardest and don't put your heart into what you are doing.

5. How do you need to change your perspective and/or motivations in order to succeed in the elementary education program and become a great teacher? I need to believe that I can accomplish anything. That I can do this, and do a good job, and that the rewards are great. I am so excited to be a teacher and I need to keep my focus on that. What I am learning now will make me a great teacher!