Chapter 1:

The Pros and Cons of Teaching

In the video “The Pros and Cons of Teaching”, we are introduced to several educators who discuss the joys and difficulties associated with teaching.  Although each of them taught different subjects and at different levels, they all shared common loves for their ‘profession’ as well as the same draw backs.

Each teacher in the video touched upon the issue of dealing with children who come from different home environments as well as those possessing different levels of learning abilities.  Although that would definitely pose a challenge for a teacher needing to create a lesson plan that can accommodate their diverse classroom, it would help to break up the ‘bog of mindless routine’.  For a teacher, this would also serve as an opportunity to expand their pedagogical abilities, insuring that the teacher continues to grow and learn along with their students.  One teacher discusses the issue of his own age as a problem in a classroom of students who are only a few years younger than him.  As a young woman wanting to be an elementary school teacher it would not be so much of a problem with my students, but I would need to prove to my student’s parents that I am capable of teaching their children. I would need them to be able to overlook my age and see me as an equally able provider as well as someone who can give their children the guidance they need to grow as strong students and individuals. 

In my opinion, it appears that the rewards of teaching far outweigh the negative aspects and each challenge that I would face as a teacher would only help to encourage my growth as an educator, a lifelong learner, a productive member of society and a role model to my community.

Chapter 2:

Part 1: Multiple Intelligences Lesson in Action

Howard Gardner created the theory of multiple intelligences, based upon eight areas of the brain that are affected by brain injury.  In the video, “Multiple Intelligences Lesson in Action”, a teacher creates stations based upon the eight intelligences for her students, and discusses the benefits of using these ideas within the classroom.

I found this video to be extremely interesting.  The multiple intelligences approach to learning not only involves integrating these focuses into education, but it also complements the progressive ideas of practical application of knowledge.  The teacher created stations that addressed the eight intelligences, which mirrored real world experiences.  She specifically discussed that she felt school should not be a separate experience from real life.  I agree with this philosophy and I believe there is a way to simulate real life applications into any curriculum regardless of the grade level or learning abilities of the students. 

Part 2: Identifying Classroom Bias

In the video, “Identifying Classroom Bias”, David Sadker discusses bias in the classroom with an audience of educators.  He used four of the audience members to illustrate the potential bias found in Maryland classrooms.  The “four students” consisted of two females and two males, one of which was African-American.  He then engaged in a classroom lesson about the American Revolution and quickly began to demonstrate gender bias.

David Sadker most certainly illustrated valid examples of bias.  He began the discussion by pointing out in front of the ‘class’ the problems that each ‘student’ got wrong on their homework.  He pointed out the penmanship of the one female, but disregarded her actual work; he simply pointed out the errors of the other female student, but didn’t explain how she could have corrected those problems.  For the males however, he not only explained how to find the correct answers but praised them for their efforts and then continued the ‘class’ by calling on the male students and even credited the male student ‘Bob’ for giving the answers actually given by the female.  I found it interesting that as the example progressed the teacher’s played into the action as well.  On the side, the female teachers recognized that “Mr. Sadker” was ignoring them and failing to engage them into the lesson, and they began having a side conversation and looked uninterested and bored.   This was a perfect illustration of bias and its negative affects on the classroom and its students as a whole.

Chapter 4:

Tour of a Charter School

In this video, we are given a glance into the inner workings of MATCH, the Media and Technology Charter High School in Boston, Massachusetts.  Students, teachers and administrators alike, discuss the benefits of attending a Charter School as well as acknowledge the hard work and dedication to education needed to create a successful academic learning environment. 

MATCH appeared to be a highly successful institution that provided students with an exceptional opportunity for success.  One of the students discussed the difficulty she faced as a freshman, having to familiarize herself with the new rigorous academic standards and different school “culture”.  However, the small and safe community offered to students seemed to be the ideal conditions for learning and I think that regardless of the hard transition into a school like this, it benefits the students in the long run.  I also found the commitment to the school’s mission statement and ideals by teachers quite remarkable.  One of the biology teacher’s at MATCH explains that his work week is never over, and that he is constantly sitting in on faculty meetings, working to further develop the curriculum and standards of the school.  Also it is expected that teacher’s not only fulfill their teaching duties, but also help to supplement the help needed in other areas of the school, such as hall monitoring. The involvement of the teachers, beyond what is normally expected of them, is a great testament to their dedication and confidence in the success of their Charter School. 

Chapter 11:

The Engaged Classroom

The Engaged Classroom, by Sam Intrator, was an interesting article detailing Sam’s experiences and observations while shadowing students in a California high school.  He was interested in finding out how classroom time was spent and what techniques teachers were employing to engage students in their learning. 

            While shadowing teenagers, Sam Intrator realized the importance of the ability of a teacher to relate to their students on a personal level.  He also discovered the very limited time that teachers were able to actively engage their students in learning.  I found it interesting that the majority of the student’s time was focused on simply ‘appearing’ engaged and that the majority of them had an exact method for doing so.  Intrator’s observations were all too familiar to me.  I found myself reminiscing upon my time in high school and remembering the moments where I felt as if school was meaningless and mundane.  However, the vast majority of my time in school was exciting and I owe that to the passion and devotion my teachers put into each lesson.  It was these teachers who were extremely successful in engaging my peers and me.  They continually offered learning experiences that encompassed a variety of activities for a variety of learning styles and they never allowed the flow of the classroom time to stop, rather, they were teaching, handing out homework, leading discussions, handling classroom distractions and inspiring us to learn simultaneously. 

Chapter 12:

Lessons of a First-Year Teacher

            In the reading, Lessons of a First-Year Teacher, we are introduced to Molly Ness, a middle school teacher who was faced with a multitude of difficulties in her first year of teaching.  As a member of Teach For America, she felt a responsibility to be empowered as a new teacher regardless of the situation she faced, but recognized the difficulty of staying optimistic when the odds are against you.

            Initially, I found Ness’s optimism extremely refreshing.  While I envision myself as a first year teacher and I believe I would have the same emotions and fresh attitude as her when I finally have my own classroom.  As I read on however, I started to realize that my first teaching experience will not necessarily be the perfect scenario I’ve imagined.  Ness was immersed into a diverse school with students coming from a variety of cultures, home environments and social issues.  If I were to teach in that type of setting, I know I would feel lost and scared.  I would worry that I am not an adequate teacher and that I do not have the talents or devotion to see each child through their year with me.  Personally, I honestly don’t believe that I could handle those difficulties right now, but I hope that the remainder of my education will help to eventually shape me into a stronger and more capable educator that would be able to make a difference in those student’s lives.

Alternative Videos:

Reaching Digital Natives

            The video ‘Reaching digital natives’, is a montage of images portraying the evolution of technology versus the unchanging image of education.  This simple video sheds light on the educational experience and its failure to evolve along with its surroundings.

            I feel as if this video highlights a large problem in the American education system.  Too often, classrooms operate almost identically to the way they did many years ago.  I think for students to receive a meaningful education that will benefit them in all aspects of their life, they must learn in an environment that mimics that of the real world.  I also believe that students should have access to current technological resources and have the option of receiving information in a format that is consistent with the manner in which they receive information outside of school, if preferred.  As schools change the format of their educational delivery, as a reflection of the changing world around them, they will become more effective.

Progressive Education in the 1940’s

This video provided a positive view of progressivism as seen in the classroom during the 1940’s.  Beginning with a look at the non-progressive classrooms of the day and then contrasting that with the environment found within a progressive class, we could see the difference between the enthusiasms for education between students taught under each philosophy.

Even though the video was quite dated, I feel that this video provided insight into the benefits of a progressive academic program.  Not only do students have greater interest in what they are learning, but they feel more empowered to learn when they are provided with lessons that are relevant to their life.  I personally feel that a classroom that is taught in a strict and ‘traditional’ setting is a disadvantage to students.  My personal philosophy matches more or less with that of John Dewey, an advocate and leader of the progressive movement. 

Bullying

In the ABC news story ‘Bullying’, we hear the tragic story about a middle school student whose peers teased him to the point where he felt suicide was hiss only escape.  We meet the boy’s father and he heartbreakingly tries to explain just what occurred that brought his son to take his own life.

I found this video incredibly upsetting and I was literally moved to tears.  Upon investigating the details leading up to his death, Ryan’s father discovered he was not only teased by students at school, but he was being coerced by a friend to believing suicide was a viable solution to his problems.  Middle school is inevitably a difficult time for children but I think it is horrible that Ryan felt he had no other way out of his troubles.  Boys and girls alike can be unforgiving and cruel to one another and it is up to us as educators and parents to provide our students and children with careful monitoring of their social activity and strong support systems and to be sure they are staying safe and happy.

“Charter That”- A New Direction in Public Education

After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans found itself at the ‘bottom of the food chain’ in their ability to provide a quality education to children of all backgrounds.  Amidst clean up efforts and disaster recovery, charter schools, much like the Charter school for Architectural Design, have emerged and created positive academic opportunities for students in Louisiana.

Although they were battered by the storm, the students and faculty at the charter school within this video are unbelievably optimistic.  I found this school and the atmosphere to be extremely unique, in that the education provided was specific to architecture and engineering.  The students were not only engaged in their academic progress, but were passionate about what they were doing as their education was focused and connected to their real life.  They also felt as if they had a direct involvement in the management of the school.  I think this video was a strong testament to the great possibilities a charter school can provide in areas that are otherwise lacking educational opportunities.